The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-01-22

Prof. E. E. Smith, temporary head or the Birmingham Federation of Teach CTS, yesterday gave out 5000 word statement, in which he charged that the city commission was making no ar engagements to even slightly increase the miserable pittance offered teach CTS for their work"
 Professor Smith states that apparent ly the commission is placing the school building problem above that of provid- ing more pay for teachers. He declares that schools could be held without buildings, but not without teachers, and that between the two problems the for- mer is much more important.
 Charging further that some have used political chicanery and literal starva- tion to force teachers to submit to their dictation, Professor Smith adds that self preservation and self determina- tion are the great underlying princi- ples of the Federation of Teachers.
 Professor Smith points out the results achieved by Teachers Federations In other cities, but stresses the fact that the federation is on record as opposed to strikes. His statement in part fol- lows:
 From press reports it seemed that Birmingham City Commission would call an election for the purpose of rals- ing the tax rate. These reports men tioned interest on school bonds, inter- est on city hall bonds, interest on audi torium bonds, interest on everything but teachers salaries. Not one time was there mention, so far as the writer found, of any proposition to even slight ly improve the miserable pittance of- fered teachers for their work.
 Now, it is fundamental, first. that there can be school without school buildings, but there cannot be scnool without school teachers
 NO later than yesterday Sunday the press carried report that the bars are let down, and announced thai young men and young women, without
 training or experience as teachers wolud be certified by the great state of Alabama to teach school
 Tt looks like that we are already without trained teachers. The reason is at hand. Teachers must eat, and they must have clothes to wear. To ge these they must go where they may work as unskilled workers. Tt is, then. little wonder that. teach CTS feel that the first consideration 1T the proposed tax raise should be the re lief of the great body of faithful ant loyal workers? And in the point O loyalty, federated teachers yield to non' A prior claim or a greater right to clam loyalty.
 There are those in other walks O l life who would dictate to the teacher: and who have used political chicanerl and literal starvation to force submis sion to that dictation. In most instances no regard whatever is shown the fac | that those who would rule most VI viously are without the semblance O training or experience which might Il them even to give advice.
 50 completely has the rule of iroi | been applied that it has been wortl ones job anywhere and at any time t suggest that anything other than tha which is right
 I've believe that the present houslnt | situation for Birmingham schools wholly inadequate. Here again we sa. l that schools can be held in churches l but schools cannot be held withou' l teachers. We believe. them that tn l first consideration is the teachers sal aries. and the second con2'deration inc housing situation for the schools. l we do not discredit the need for | city hall, an auditorium, bette | streets, improved police and fire de partments. We wolud permit each o these to be put squarely on it's merit ! before the voters of this city
 we do submit that the city hall l far better for it's purposes than ar many of the school houses for schoo | purposes"