Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1920-04-15
WOOD FLAYS Low
TEACHERS PAY
No Class in Country Engaged il
More Construct Labor
Tan co-...rS.

Leonard Wood, whose executive ex-
periences in this country, Cuba and the
Philippines have impressed him with
the fundamental importance of educa-
ton as factor in progressive civiliza-
ton, has become of late a powerful in
strumentality in forcing upon the at
tention of the American people the dis
astrous consequences that will follow
the continued underpayment OF our
teachers and professors. His stirring
words in behalf of better conditions
for our educators are not merely per
functory, hut spring from well-found-
ed conviction, forced upon him by mi
mute observation of educational de-
tails in many parts of America, and
presage more promising outlook for
our teachers in the future should Wood
become President of the United States,
Wood says:
"0ur educators are very much under
paid. There Is no class today in Amer
ica which has the opportunity to do
more important or more constructive
work in the building up of good citizen
shp-I do not know that ] could ex-
cept the church itself-than those who
are teaching in our universities and
schools. They are forming the men
and women of tomorrow. They are
working quietly, but effectively, day
after day, week after week, and month
after month. They have our children
with them much more than we have
them. and ms they incline the minds Of
these youngsters, so will they be later
on.
Teachers Driven Off.
"They are not only lmplanting knowl-
edge, evoking power and teaching the
children how to use the knowledge
they give them, but they are also wag'
ing that silent battle against Ignorance
and prejudice upon the successful out
come of which depends very largely
the stability Of this country. The av-
erage country school teacher In many
sections of this country receives less
than the average frst class chauffeur.
The college professor IL not paid as
well as the average good bricklayer,
and the result has been that since the
war many Of our sblest professors and
teachers have had to seek employment
In other lines Of work.
"This condition Ii one which we must
terminate. Let Us interest ourselves
In those who are doing more than any
other group to make the citizens OF to-
morrow. The professors in our great
universities should receive salaries
which will enable them to live COM
fortably and to properly carry on their
work free from the constant anxiety
which comes from insufficient income
to meet the everyday expenses Of life.
insufficient even under the most rigid
economy. The same general policy
should apply to assistant professors
and instructors and to teachers In our
public schools.
"At present the youth Of our country
Is being trained and our Ship of State
Is being built by underpaid and, con-
sequently, discontinued workmen. Ii
II q dangerous situation. 1t gives rise
to unsound and careless teaching.
Those who are In daily contact with
our youth and who implant In theirs
many of the vital principles Of citizen
ship should feel that their services are
recognized and their value fully apprs-
clated. It is a dangerous policy To-
have the instruction Of our youth OF I
the country In the hands Of many who
feel there Is something radically wrong |
In a government which fails to recos- 4
nlae the value Of the services Of those 4
whe are training its youth.
Give TsaeAsrs a Chance.
1--WE want our teaching force TO feel h
that It's services are appreciated and
the value Of lis work 10 understood. II
this is not done the services Will Be \
poorly rendered. We have In the
teaching profession thousands Of spleA-
did men and wUnen most Of WHOM 4
could do much better, from the money 4
standpoint, in ether lines Of work.
They continue, however. simply be- 4
cause they have the missionary spirit i
and because they love their work. 4
IneS& tthCncTS bAVo tho pV"Cit WY u
largely, to shape the opinions and
prejudiess of the youth Of the nation.
phey can Ill the souls Of our children
with discomfort and opposition to gov
eminent, or they can al them with the
spirit Of appreciation and patriotism.
We should be a. careful In the seles-
ton Of our teachers as we are In the
selection Of eur clergy. They are che
teachers of the children Of our nsw-
corners, and the thStoughness With
which this Is done and the spirit which
ID implanted will largely depend upUR
the character and spirit Of the teach
ers.
"If we want TO Americanize our bR-
coming youth we must see to II that
the teaching force feels that the Amer
lean people has recognized its value
and importance Salaries which were
Sufficient, perhaps a generation ase
are worth only one-third Of their for-
nner purchasing power. The compen-
sation 10 small that mea hesitate to
assume the responsibilities Of mar
rage. Large families are out Of the
question. 1t il difficult to travel ana
have the necessary relations with shsl
leading minds of the day. and unkeas