The Washington times., 1920-01-02

More Teachers For Schools;
Night Schools to Be Aided
By BILL PRICE.

The House Appropriations Committee, now making up
dehciency BILL WILL doubt include in that bill the
SPECIFIC items asked for the public schools of the District
provision for l32 teachers and more money to
make sure OF operating the night schools until June /.
These items have been laid before the committee in reg
uar manner by the District Commissioners upon recommen
dalton OF the Board of Education and both Commissioner
broWnow and Superintendent Thurson schools have
emphasized to the committee the Importance of providing
the appropriations Superintendent Thurson had opportu
ny to make special plea in which he pointed out the
serious shortage OF teachers and the i'll effects suffered by
students unable TO obtain instructive assistance
The attendance in the nj ght public schools has grown
from 100 in the last school year to $500 at this me and
unless another $4,000 granted the schools close in
February. Congress will not permit that
In the consideration of school affairs by the joint
mtee OF the four large civic bodies of Washington with
the purpose of solidying upon program that will restore
the schools to conditions occasional newspaper
ports have referred to drve upon Congress The sole
purpose OF the committed representing citizens of Washing
ton, is to lay before Congressional committees and nd
vdua congressman the exact facts to the needs of
schools.
There is no intention to squabble with Congress The
aim is to supplement the work of the Commissioners and
school authorities with the local viewpoint and impress
upon Congress facts showing that the actual needs of the
schools should meet with prompt and favorable legislation
In providing 132 additional teachers Congress will have
definitely started the program which Washington
nestly indorses.
Senator Sherman, of the Senate District Committee
promises to take up within short time for action by the
Senate another essential Of the egs
aon for teachers. The House has passed retirement BILL
and there good why the Senate should not do
the thing.
The matter of decent salaries and school buildings
will up later and the steady untirng efforts Of the
four large local organizations will be necessary to
these things The main need Of the public school system
fair salaries for the teachers emoumen that will attract
the best brightest, and brainiest of the profession
In respect schools Congress has personal inter
est nasmuch the and daughters of national eg
ators obtain the bulk of their education here while their
fathers serving in Congress- These want to the
schools attain the highest degree of efficiency.
Mr.. Thurson has wisely pointed out to the House
mtee that unhappy result of congested conditions and
shortage of teachers is that seriously large percentage OF
pupils fail in their work and in obtaining promotions be-
overworked teachers cannot give the Individual aen
ton and coaching which backward boys and girls require
When teacher is handling fifty sixty pupils instead of
thirty hiryfve it is impossible for her to do justice to
all or to herself Neglect is inevitable.
When the additional teachers provided let us turn
fair pay for the teachers adequate housing facilities just
retirement legislation and the establishment of proper bust
ness methods.