The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1920-03-06
SATURDAY. MARCH q, 1910.
OUR rEAonEns N THn SOUTH.


The past months have witnessed
a great amount of discussion as tc
the salaries Of teachers In som,
cases teachers unions have beer
formed. In other cases such unit,
Of opinions has been formed BY In,
public protests that the desIr
ed results have been obtained with
out unions. This discussion has had
reference to white teachers espec
tally and, while Negro teachers
have been benefited BY II to GER
tain extent, their claims have NOT
been satisfactorily adjusted.
The conditions under which Ne
gro teachers. especially IN the south
labor are peculiar In many WAYS,
A casual study of these conditions
VIII show that from their own pub
lie at least, they are entitled to
all OF the support and encourage
menf possible to be given.
In the first place, they continue
70 teach IN most instances because
they feel that our children need
the training which they are able
70 give and without which our
group cannot successfully progress.
They realize that while II may en-
tail certain sacrifices on their part
as to salary and freedom Of action.
there Is no interest which the other
group could have which would cause
them to make any efficient effort IN
alleviate their condition.
There Is also the ever present
struggle to get results with the
usually poor equipment available
in school buildings constant ex-
ira demand upon the energy OF the
teacher from which. under condI-
tions as they now are. II is Inn
possible to obtain relief.
II must also be borne IN mind
that the ambitious teacher feels
the constant need Of further study
and access to books which viii
help In making the work more ef-
ficient and keeping the mind full
Of suggestions for the hetterment
OF the children directly affected.
These things are denied them be-
cause Of lack OF funds. These things
among others tend to make theirs
seemingly 4 thanlxless Job to say
nothing Of salaries.
When we realize that the aver
age Negro teacher In q city the size
OF Dallas hardly receives $500. per
year, II hardly seems possible that
they maintain themselves as well
as they do. The common laborer
In years time receives much
more, to say nothing Of porters,
elevator boys, and others employ
ed In places where mental exertion
Is not necessary to any marked de-
gree.
The speed with which RELIEF. In
the form OF higher salaries for our
teachers and better facilities for
our children win come Is limited
By The active interest In them dis
played BY cur group IN regard 10
the carrying out OF the extra pro-
vision necessary TO be made for them
III city budgets, etc.
In our arguments for greater
civic facilities and appropriations
we are prone to forget that we do
carry greater portion OF the civic
load than often we are given credit
for Every renter pays his share
Of the taxes necessary for the rum
ming Of the city IN the form Of
rents 10 his landlord In combat
Ing the argument that we receive
pfoporiionately less becaube we pay
less. this fact must be taken in
consideration
Therefore when bond issues and
preparations OF like nature are
brought before us. let us consider
them more Ia terms Of their ability
to gain for ua the things which we
most need, and support them ac-
cordinfIy.
Our teachers need substantial re-
lief n q bond iesue is necessary
70 obtain Il for the whole system.
let's get behind II and help put
1t over then isk fcs what Is Justly
otrs