The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-10-07
Public Spirited Women Volunteer t.
Take Positions at Meagre
Salaries.

ApaIachlcOIa, Oct. 6.-The Apalach-
icola public schools were faced with
most serious question during the
summer. This came about because
of the loss of several teachers and
the threatened resignation of others,
unless their salaries were adequately
raised. Such an increase as the
teachers demanded, was legitimate,
and it was only what other schools
were giving at the time; but it was
out of the power of the board of edu-
cation to meet. even approximately,
what was asked of them. The state
constitution limits the millage that
may be spent on educational pur-
poses. The superintendent did not
have the money. The situation look
ed bad
Right then the Parents and Teach
ers' Association got busy For if the
county did not have the money to
outfit and open the schools, then the
parents of the children must answer
the problem for themselves Mrs. r.
G.. Porter called the members together.
Various plans were proposed, and fin
ally the present solution was hit upon.
1t has worked. So far it promises to
give the county the best school we
have had in years.
Mrs. Porter called directly upon the
patriotism of the educated citizens.
She asked for volunteers from the
married women, the mothers, whose
children We're old enough to spare
them. Particularly those who had
previously taught in the state, and
once held certificates, authorizing
their ability. In the predicament Mr.
Sheets promised to recognize such
certificates. Mrs. Porter herself Of
fered to head the list of volunteers
She promised to teach throughout the
year, and accept what the board was
able to pay.
Three other of our leading women
followed her initiative. These were:
Mrs. f. B. Wakefield. president of the
local w. C. T. U. and president of the
Daughters of the King. She had three
sons in the late war. Two of these
saw service. The eldest won his
commission. Her husband is cashier
of the Exchange Bank. All told, Mrs.
Wakefield i sa woman of much sweet
ness of character. Every little
fourth grader will profit by being
under the influence of this Christian
lady.
Mrs John Cook was, the next vol
unteer. Mrs. Cook is the wife of Hon.
John Cook, mayor of Apalachicola and
one of the county's leading states
men. His name is associated with
every movement that has the adj
vancement of the city in view. Mrs.
Cook is the daughter of the late
Frank Porter, for a long time presi-
dent of the Apalachicola State Bank
and one OF those gentlemen of the
bonds and oaths oracles" She has
three children, and with these in tow,
she started this week to do her part
III teaching other less fortunate chill
dren. Some day, long after others
have forgotten; these kiddies will
rise up and call her name blessed.
Mrs. George Wefing was the third
lady to step forward and fill the gap.
Years ago gentleman, prominent in
the state, said that there We're three
women in this city whose mentality
rivalled that of the best in the state.
When asked to name them, he men
toned Mrs. George Wefing first.
What an honor it must be to sit in a
room and have that clever intellect
explain the rudiments of English
grammar! She may make some be-
ference between the gerund and the
gerundine.
Mrs. r. G. Porter, Miss Steppie, as
she is known to every lad and lassie
in the neighborhood, is a graduate OF
Cook County Normal. Now this nor
NAL has a unique stand among the
fine colleges of Illinois. It special
ICES in mathematics. Miss Steppie is
a gcrackerjack mathematician. She
might possibly make a young Archi
modes regret that there was not
thirteen times thirteen table in the
book.
Such are the four women who have
volunteered to teach in the Chapman
High School They will accept the
meagre salaries that Superintendent
Core is able to offer them. They can
do this because their homes are