The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1920-02-02
SCHOOL TEACHERS
Salaries AND
AMERICANISN

ed the problem as follows
This conferenc e is called in recog-
milton of the tight Of Public School
Teachers to have material increase
in salary, ek4
We are fully aware that there has
been a change in the purchasing pow
er OF tho dollar.
\ 1t is not essential at this time to
find all the causes that have pro
duced this result. 1t is the fact that
faces our teachers and ourselves.
S BY various avenues OF approach we
all arrive at a conclusion that our
dollar is worth about fifty cents
whom measured by the pre-war buy
ing power
Wages of unskilled and skilled
workers have been generally ad-
vanced, but there still remains a vast
majority of incomes which have not
been adjusted. There must be uni
formity in change in all compensation
if we are to avoid the calamity Of a
national upheaval
Under the pre-war condition there
were lamentabIe inequalities OF com
pensation We know that we have
always had profiteers, parasites and
other burdens for the people to carry
We know that the trend of the times
is toward equality of compensation
for given quality of service rendered.
We know that on this new basis
there viii be not an exactly uniform
change of pay from the 2re-war ba-
sis, but it will be something differ
emit from the extreme condition that
now exists.
We know that our law makers have
suggested only partial and sometimes
destructive cures, but we are CONF.
dent that an investigation conducted
hy men competent by record of ser
vice will bring the needed light and
remedy for the correction OF the old
and new irregularities OF remunera-
ticn.
The method of change will not hurt
the people; it will not hinder produc-
ton; it will not kill industrial life,
an dit viii predicate all its conclusions
on tho iitness for service for every
man for the job or office eliminating
rarasstes-but since we are face to
lace with condition that requires
prompt action letius take care of this
emergency. q
Our object in mentioning the
broader problems is to satisfy our
selves that we are on the right track
In our course toward correct deter
mlnation OF our immediate problem
Our problem today Is to give cur
teachers square deal.
1t is for us, as officers intrusted
with the administration of educational
system, to act wisely in the present
crisis.
In the teacher of the public schools
we have the highest type of Amer
icanisrl, and, consequently, spirit OF
true devotion to the interest of the
American home on which American
ism IS based.
In our public schools we have the
most powerful engine for good or III.
It has dependability of action. II
will not run away. 1t cannot easily
be stampeded
The teachers have not struck for
higher salaries and they are not
spreading unrest doctrines. They
know the great power of their influ
ence, not only on the pupils who in
few years viii be the citizens Of the
state and country, but also the great
potency of their attitude in forming
the public opinion of the family and
community,
1t is for us and for all good and
loyal Americans to recognize the pow
~ af' our schools and the high value
of our Geachers' ideals.
We must not permit a continuance
Of this inequality OF remuneration that
places each teachers ideals in jeo-
pardy.
We cannot evade our responsibility
by pleading existing contracts or
change of tax rate, for that would
merely feed the repcessed spirit OF
rebellion and unrest.
Our teachers are not bomb throw
ers, or anything but the highest type
of humanity, but loyalty is hard TO
maintain against the insistent de-
mands OF the body for ample raiment
and other needs such as could be pro-
yided with the pay in other fields of
scryice. Loyalty can live and even
thrive under adversely. provided it is
not subjected to the sickening Thought
Of unfairness and lack OF apprecla-
ton
This is not carelessly set forth. 1t
is a careful statement of facts as they
exist
We know that vermonters are
genuine Americans; that they stand
for a square deal, and for maintaining
and energizing the strong American
ISM of our teachers, SO that this power
Of the public SCHOOLS viii continue an
engine for true Democracy instead Of
q not bed for the spirit OF distrust
and opposition to cur government.
While it has been necessary for
rome branches OF labor to resort TO
strikes TO attain an advance in nav,