New-York tribune., 1920-02-16
Increases for Teachers
Are Demanded in Bill
Federation Measure, Calling for Flat Advance in
Salaries, Is Placed in Hands of Senator
Lockwood; Officials Indorse Plan

next year than for the current ono.
But the teachers have recognized the
difficulty Of asking the city to meet the
full charge for the increases, which will
amount to between $140o0,0oO and
$16,000,000, and have coupled their de-
maI,d with proposal that would actu-
ally reduce the city tax rate. and that
they are asking their friends in the
Legislature to support. This is that
the state should divide the expense of
teachers salaries with the city, paying
30 cents Of every 81 that the city ex-
pends for the purpose. Already there
is fund OF some $2,000,000 year COM
ing to New York from the state, and
tho advisers Of the teachers believe the
full amount can be provided easily out
of the receipts from the income tax.
Problem IL Viewed
A National Issue
The teachers also point out that
neither New York City nor state is
taking the lead in its appropriations
for education. The state stands thirty
fourth In the Union in rank for per
capita appropriations for education.
The city Is in better position. There
are three ways in which its rank may
be figured, as follows: Out of the
leading twenty-one cities in tho United
States New York City stands ninth in
the amount spent for education out of
each $1,000 of taxable property; fifth
IN the amount per inhabitant and
eighth in the amount for each child of
school age. The teachers believe that
New York can easily afford to head the
list, when the important and complex
lty OF its educational problems is con-
sidered.
Many educational authorities believe
that the situation is so serious that
help Is needed even beyond all that
can be done by citizens and by the
Guy and state governments, and they
point to the widespread slump in edu
cation for confirmation.
we need to tackle the problem as
great national ISSUE" declared Pro-
lessor George D. Strayer, of Teachers
College, one Of the nations foremost
authorities, yesterday "I believe that
we need the impetus that would come
from the recognition of education "a
a junction of the national government.
Democracy promises not only equality
Of opportunity. but the eoualization of
the burdens of taxation. There can be
no equalization of these burdens ex-
c,ept as we spread the obligations over
the whole nation. ~'0A
"The crisis is here. The schools arc
Ideter'orating. We need all of tho
.''sh,: loGai enthusiasm and hard work that
puo'lc.s spirited citizens can put into the
campaign. But we need, as we'll the
RECOGNITION and help of the national
government. If America is to be saved
ana democracy is to prevail, it will be
because the public school system pro.
citizenship" Is ~
=, DR.. Strayer favors the enactment Of
the Smith-Towner bill now before
Congress. which provides that The
United States government appropriate
hundred millions year for educa-
tional purposes. to be distributed TO
the the states and administered by them,
Dut with the provision that each state
appropriate an amount equal to that
gwen it by the nation. The bill also
provides for Cabinet Minister of Edu-
cation ca; and the gathering under him of
!ne twenty. or more bureaus in Wash
1ngton which are now dealing with
educational matters.