Evening journal., 1920-06-10
SPENCER SPEAKS ron TEACHERS.

G ENATOR SELDEN p, SPENCER, OF Missouri, declared
~ in the Senate recently that the American people
should understand The conditions which now prevail in
the United States In regard to the education OF children
In oomplmentlng the school teachers he said:
To-day they the mighty instruments in the forma-
ton Of The character ideals and efficiency Of the men
and who tomorrow will govern, for veal or for
woe these United States There now 6i7i72 teachers
The United States or this number, 562isi arc teachers
the elementary grades and s9ss teachers in the
high Schools"
senator Spencer asserted that every instinct OF national
seproseraton we'll every reason OF justice to the
teachers themselves and Of expedency and wisdom for the
welfare OF the nation demands two things:
First that there be provided sufficient teachers who
competent well trained and we'll paid 10 instruct Amer-
boys and girls The very future OF our country Is at
stake The responsibility placed upon these teachers is
too great to permit Of any but the BEST the most skilled
the most efficient in training potential American citizens.
Second that there be provided for these teachers ade
quate training and adequate facilities in buildings and
equipment whereby TO perform their high duty, and
that there be failure TO recognize the necessity OF pro-
yding satisfactory living conditions for teachers and for
their recreation and recupoption.
The compensation Of teachers he contended is pttily
insufficient The salary for elementary teachers
in 1918 was S606 year, the ayerago salary for high
school teachers Si03 The average reports from AZ
States In i9i920 indicate that the average salary OF all
teachers rural schools, including both elementary and
hlgh SCHOOL edcuofS was fbttNb. InlS -
substantially up to date and includes all the increases
which have come in the various States up to and In
cudng this year The increase in compensation in every
trade and occupation has been proporonaey advanced
far than in regard to teachers
It admitted that there have been indications of better
ment throughout The country, but the need is not so
much for a readusment Of salaries IL Is for an inn
mediate doubling trcbng Of existing compensation
with corresponding requirements 10 the qualifications
the part Of the teacher Last year $4,000 teachers in
The United States forced by insufficient compensation
to quit teaching and take up better paid work On Febru-
airy 10 OF this year the commissioner OF education stated
that 1920 schools closed because there no
teachers available and that a 900 schools taught by
teachers who he characterized "beow standard
The State normal schools report diminished enroll
ment amounting between % and 80 per cent II is esu
mated that the total graduates OF all schools universities
and normal schools which train elementary teachers will
10000 during this next year and there i2
900 positions which must be ned For the high schools
10000 teachers will be needed and the total number o
graduates from schools and universities who prpar
ing TO teach win not exceed 10000.
"A that necessary In connection with the entire sub
leol Of efficient education" the senator concludes "is tha
the people Of these United States shall understand the
condition IL and realize that very civilization
in the balance An Intelligent well-nforned patriotic
American citizenship the only solution OF every problem
-raolal, industrial and indvidua-that confronts th
nation and such citizenship is only possible as the re
suit OF adequate and efficient educational facilities"
Most Delawareans will agree with him in that con
clusion.