Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-05-01
TEACHERS IN MASS
MEETING ASK HELP
Petition Congress for Bonus;
Citizens Pledge Aid
in Fight.

"a cheap teacher is worse than a
bad egg"
with potatoes at SO cents quar-
food this summer"
With these two principal slogans.
approximately 1000 public school
teachers OF the District united in a
mass meeting last night at New Ma
sonic Temple and opened a concerted
campaign to impress on Congress
their dire need for immediate finan-
ciaI relief. Today many of them are
personally soliciting members Of the
legislative bodies at the Capitol to
seek the support of a resolution
adopted unanimously at the meeting.
appealing for an emergency relief
fund Of at least $500.
Others Promise Aid In Fight.
The need for financial relief not
only was pointed out by the teachers.
many of whom are laboring under
burden of debt and facing the sum-
mer vacation without any funds. but
prominent educators and representa-
tive Washington business men as
well. All the speakers. including DIR.
tional Education Association, made
strong pleas in behalf of the teach
ers. but made it clear that no relief
would be forthcoming from Congress
until the people of the country fully
realize the serious emergency con-
fronting the teachers.
Urge the public to cooperate with
Congress-get everybody pulling on
your rope" This was the suggestion
made to the teachers by John Dolph
OF the Rotary Club and DIR. Magill as
one of the most likely methods of OBJ
tanning any consideration from Con-
gress.
Low Pay Evil Exists Else " here.
While dwelling upon the present
pay Of public school teachers, Dr. Ma
gill asserted that these conditions
exist throughout the entire country.
They are not peculiar to Washington
but are universal. They are caused
Dy the economic situation due to the
war.
Meager wages paid public school in
stuctors. DIR. Magill declared. has re-
suited in approximately g., 900 schools
in the country beink filled with be-
low grade teachers
One third Of the schools in the
south today" he said. ARE filled with
incompetent teachers merely to keep
them going" He predicted worse
conditions next year unless the teach
ers are given adequate wages
Dr.. Magill also pointed out that
plea of the Washington teachers has
menaced vitality the welfare of the
school children of today. TT is a
shame that America has not reached
the realization of the necessity Of
education, he said. THE teacners
and the noblest souls in the country"
Says Legislators Are Ignorant.
The speaker accused senators and
foundry ignorant of existing condi-
tons in the public schools Of Wash
lngton. Il know of at least several
senators who really believe that
Washington leads other cities as re-
CARDS satisfactory wages for teachers
tinued. las a matter of fact school
buildings in this city would not be
tolerated for one moment in any of
our progressive cities"
Roy G. Claim. chairman of the COM
mittee on public schools of the Board
or Trade. told the teachers that or
ganization would support any move
ment to better school conditions in
Washington and declared that sat
least 100 per cent increase for the
District teachers is not beyond rea-
son."
1.-The school system Of any city" he
said. stands on four legs-personnel,
children. public and the management
Granting OF an increase to the teach
ers would directly benefit the public.
because it means better education of
their children"
Resolution Adopted Unanimously.
The resolution requesting Congress
for an emergency relief Of at least
$500 for each teacher and thanking
members Of Congress for the increases
provided for the teachers in the Dis
rtict appropriation bill, but which do
not become effective until October /.
was introduced by Duncan MacLaren
and unanimously adopted. Copies Of
1T were sent today to the President
of the Senate and the Speaker Of the
House.
Stereopticon slides showing what
other large cities have done for the
teachers In the way of granting spe-
ciai relief were shown. together with
numerous slogans. The slides showed
that nine large cities have granted
bonuses ranging from $500 to 500
Edward L. Stock Of the City Club
presided, and in opening the meeting
said that it was high time that some-
thing be done to give the teach RS
a living wage. Frank Bright also
made brief address. stating that
IF there is any profession under
paid. it is the teaching profession"