New-York tribune., 1920-04-15
1920 Schools Closed ;nJL s
Arthur E. Holder, Labor |
Commissioner. Tells How
Low Salaries Undermine
Education in America
500 Average Daily Pay
o23. 600 N. Y. Children Are
Turned Out of Schools
Retween .Jan.28-Feb. IL
By Arthur E. Holder

1,Aor member on Federal Board
for Vocational Education; Com
m;ssioner Of Labor il, Io,ra from
1900 to l9oS.}
in the Presidential campaign Of just
,v.r.y wears ago much ado was made
= slogan termed "The Paramount
,.xue." Fast-speeding time, with its
.Arlisig Of many world events and
.sspging economic conditions, has
aused us to forget that issue and slo-
ON. II the query were put to any 100
,srsons. What was that issue?" it
!, doubtful if more than one would re-
rsmber it and correctly answer. 1t
I.ss the benevolent assimilation of
fhs Philippines. Peace, progress and
r,osperity reign in the islands now
s..ause our American system of edu-
.s,iou was introduced and, generally
.,eakjng, successfully administered.
We will soon be absorbed in another
Presidential campaign, many issues
vf be invented. some startling slogans
x;ll be adopted, but if we will as a
,.onle be true 70 ourselves and our ma
.on's best traditions we will concen-
,rs,e our best thoughts and our most
vigorous endeavors on the greatest is
,s before us-the real paramount is
ne: the welfare of our children. our
s-aools. our teachers. This problem
must not be ignored or neglected. Our
mnedjate present and eyer-pressinR
.ature demand we give it first atten-
|tcs
Bodies III for the Future
During the period the people Of the
limited States have been engaged in
t.e World War. at an expense of more
.han $4,000 600, 900. "to make the
world safe for democracy" they have
DUsrlooked the one real safeguard of
democracy at home. This neglect
kssches into every home and BODIES i'll
| for the future of this country. To
properly meet this grave issue every
patriotic citizen should devote his and
| Ter best energies.
Albert, King Of the Belgians. said
! nat our soldiers won victory for CIV
1lraton because our educational sys-
tan had taught them what they were
Iighting for. Through an Americaniza-
ton campaign we hope to minimize
+ i.er-wsr dangers OF immigration from
T ,as impoverished nations Of Europe,
xhere centuries of subjection have
= sred a spirit of protest and distrust,
Irhich blazsd forth while the world was
h flames Our statesmen point to the
lhloolhouses dotting the entire map
=; the United States as the surest safe
srards of American institutions.
America S future is in the hands of
T. lie children of to-day. They must be
|hrilied with an appreciation of Amer
an ideals. inspired by the glorious
Example Of illustrious leaders, warned
| b. examples culled from history Of
psoples who have suffered physical
aoral. social and educational decay.
/ is in the schools that they are pre-
zred for this sacred trust of carrying
.aryard all that the nation has stood
II and fought for in every war in
sach il engaged
Teachers Starved Out
8ut as the eager-faced children come
rewding TO these schools they see
sem being boarded up, because there
Nes not teachers. The teachers haven't
truck: they are being locked out, and
Iarved out. Teachers have ito live
IS days in the year. If teacher gets
F''O year it is just about $2.06 q
tAT. which is not a living wage for
Pr one, least of all a young woman
lsao in character. education and ap-
f.aance must hold the confidence Of
!. .ae fathers and mothers who intrust to
rs. the molding Of their children, who
Ss 70 be mothers and fathers Of the
Farmers, merchants. mechanics and
aaers Of the future
DR.. Philander P. Claxton. the United
aies Commissioner of Education, af-
E recent canvass of all the states
% found that there are 1929 schools
tassc because OF lack of teachers and
800 schools taught by teachers char
'sSsrzed as below standard. but taken
temporarily n the emergency" The
faTest shortages are Kentucky, 2,250;
.eias. 1850; Virginia, 1000; Georgia,
lssaa; North Carolina, 700, and Iowa.
: Sub b-standard teachers are reported
! follows: Texas. 1000: Virginia, s.
r.; Alabama. $500. Georgia, 5000;
snnessee, 5000 Minnesota. 1880: IL
aois, Loo; Kentucky, LOO; New
rx, LOO. and South Carolina, 1000.
ne salary o. $3.50 I have suggested
Iot being living wage is, in fact,
81 above the average. It is estimated
~ there are 50.000 teaching posi-
ans IN the public schools Of the
asd States In 1913 the average
san Of all elementary and secondary
eseners was $685. Wisconsin the
s'.fase was only s421. The average
afy o. 2s,2-1 high school teachers
xteen states and the District of
.:..amnia - was sl.031, and of the l41,-
Elementary teachers in the same
''s:ss it vas ss0s.
Average Salaries Paid
i. fady Of rural school teachers
eznes, taxing the salaries of individ-