Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-02-19
Emergency Order

Whereas. Il is clearly apparent. On
account of the greatly Increased cost
of irving md generally higher scale
Of compensation paid IN other occu-
patlons ana professions. that the
salaries Of teachers IN the public
schools Of Maine are greatly made
quate; and
whereas, IN many towns of the
Sta1e II is unprecedented II not i'm
possible, 10 pay adequate salaries TO
teachers IN the public schools. by
reason of the abnormaIiy high local
tax rate which would necessarily re-
suit. and
Whereas. in consequence Of the
present inadequate salaries referred
70. large numbers OF teachers are
being forced 10 leave the State or To
enter other lines of work. making II
extremely difficult TO maintain
proper standard Of education II our
public schools; and
Whereas. IN the Judgment Of the
governor and council. the situation
thus presented constitutes IN emer-
gency within the provisions of Sac-
TIon g of Chapter Two of the Re
vlsed Statutes of Maine and acts
aInendatory thereof and additional
thereto.
Now. therefore, :. is hereby order
ef that the sum of one hundred
thousand fs1o0. 00Gl ne transferred
rom tne State contingent fund TO the
schooi equalization fund. SO called, TO
supplement the fund created and ex-
istlng under the provisions Of Sec
non 166 Of Cnepter ! 6 of the Revised
Statutes. To be used in the manner
provided by the provisions OF SECTION
lb7 Of SAID chapter. buI only for the
pUrposeAf enabling towns falling
within provisions of said Section
1s6 10 Increase the salaries Of their
pubic school teachers and only in
cases where that result would be i'm
practicable without State aid as
herein provided.
The provisions Of SECTION LES of saia
Chapter I6 snail not apply 70 the SUN
transferred by this order 70 SAID euua
;zatlOn funri;-
According 10 rhe laws a. me presen-
time there is an equalization fund o.
S"e.ua administered by the state super
II ter4.kr& Vi public schools. This Is dis
rribue to towns that raise Dv taxa
ton more than the average funds for.
school purposes. The filr .laN authorized
~ the governor and council last nigh
IF virtually il addition 10 this ecuai-
.zarIon fund SO that the state superin-
rendent Of public schools will have sSl
eh instead Of s5t,o0 FIR use II the vea~
1870
There have Ae.n many reports ir
ne newspapers about the teacher short
age said Gov. Carl E. MilIiken after
The meeting of the executive co,1nc-J
last night It Hess he is in touch witt,
The situation. however. the average in
Glvldual does not realize auw serious
Iris shortage really is nor does ne real
re that continuance" IF the whole ed
uratInna! system il Milne is endange--
&c because o. the procession of teachers
Saal mas oeen steadily increasing and
marching ID more profitable empiov-
meut- L is a fact that because the sal
aries Of teachers have not Increased
sl.Iicien<iy 10 meet the rising cost or
hving there are already Indications that
the student hudies Of the various Sta-a
normal schools next fall win ne 30 small
as To seriously handicap the educational
program of the State
Maine III now III the midst of an cd
acalonai program that is without dpuJt
The most progressive IN the country.
Secanse Of new laws enacted al the
last session Of the Legislature. many
progressive educational steps have been
mapped out all of which are designed r.
nj the Young men and Young women af
the State more efficiently for their du-
ties in life. Then. the. the great Amer
icanizatinn program must be carried on
in a great measure through the school.
None OF this educational progress can
be made withour an efliciunf corus sr
teachers and The only why To secur,
teachers is to pay them SALARY co-n-
mensurate with their ability and the
Importance Of the work nhsy are do.
inS"