Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-11
TEACHER PAY RISE
FAVORED BY GRATz
New President Of School Board
Says Building Plan Is First
Consideration
KELSEY COMPLIMENTS HIM


of the Board of Education, favors equal
salary for equal work. regardless of sex,
and a general increase in teachers sal
aries at the earliest possible time.
Mr.. Graft expressed his opinion in
IN interview today. The board is work
ing toward the salary increase as rap
idly as possible he said
just how much of an increase aud
how it will be distributed will be de-
cided by the finance committee and
board in general" he said. 'Sugges
tions and plans submitted by various
teachers organizations are SO conflict
ing and SO numerous that the board
will have 10 use its own judgment in
the matter The women teachers and
the men arc pulling in different ways.
One suggestion is that the salary of
every teacher bc increased $5O0.a year.
That would mean more than So 900 900
Q year increase and would be iupossi- =
bic. But | can assure you the finance
committee is studying the matter care
fully and will make the faircst possible
distribution.
''The salary increase question will be
settled within the next two months
| believe. And ] feel that the teacher
shortage so lamentcd by DR.. John p.
CARRIER and by w will gradually be
relieved.
Ask for Building Bids
''The first step toward the salary
increase is being taken this week Thc
property committee is advertising fol-
bids for the two new school building,
the board has authorized ir .southwes
Philadelphia. These bids will b,
opened the first week of March. WheI
we have found how much it will cost [,
erect these buildings at Ninth and Ore
gon streets and Seventy first street an,
ElmwOod avenue. we can estimate how
many other buildings the board cal
plan on. Residents of Logar are clam
oring for a new school. SO are peopl
in West Philadelphia and other sec
tions. We hope to be able to put vi
at least four schools in the next tw
years.
'But whatever the building plans
they must be gotten out of the way be
| fore the salary question can be settled
| The building situation will be cleared a
the March board meeting.
Il kEow that every member of tn
board favors the salary increase an
that the building program will not
allowed to seriously interfere with sal
ary increase"
Women Want More Executive Jobs
Members of the Women Teachers
Association are hoping Mr.. Gratz vii
be friendly toward their plan of sal
airy increase and toward tine appoint
ment of more women to executive posi-
tions. Miss Jane Allen, president @
tLn n,, Il ekI .lA,, IL,
day expressed their opinion that MI
GRATIS election was an honor Ion
due.
1--WE know Mr.. Gratz has the in
terests of the schools at heart, and tha
he will do the best he can for tn
teachers" said one of the women's as
sociation officers He is not alway
so progressive as we would wish, bu
we know he wants to help us.
Henry Edmunds, one of the ne
members of the board, expressed il
He is friend of the teachers and the
should be mighty glad to have NJ
Gratz in the Office.
s. ID. Benoliel. president of the Hon
and School League, said he knew of L
member of the Board of Education BET
ter fitted for the position of presidenc,
Mr.. Gratz has the keenest intere
and is the best versed in school neet
and problems, he said. "And l belieN
he is better able to cope with the!
problems than any member of the boar,
He is a friend of the teachers and
am glad he was elected
Kelsey Believes Gratz Fit
Albert Kelsey architect. who h,
been II severe critic of the Board
Education's methods in Philadelphia
said today he believed Mr. Gratz OF
of the best fitted members for the pres
dency.
ITO absolutely dominate the Board
Education and to be willing to under
take the difficult task he has before hin
at his time of life. must commar
any fair person. admiration. sa
the architect. .. If Mr.. Gratz will ha'
an honest anR complete survey made
all the school properties he may thu
stultify his detractions and prove hin
self courageous and high mind,
man.
Mr.. Gratz. in speaking of the pr,
posed school survey. said so far
the board was concerned the surv,
could begir Immediately. The board HI
its committee on survey ready and
simply waiting word from the civ
organizations, which will furnish Il
money, before going ahead. AS 500
as the committee from the board al
that from the civic bodies meet th,
will appoint a person to make t