Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-05-31
BUSINESS MEN ASK
TEACHERS PAY RISE.
Prominent Citizens Say Future
Depends on Adequate Salaries
! for Children's instructors
DEMANDS ARE CALLED JUST

Support Of the movement of public
school teachers to obtain higher salaries
has been received from many citizens of
prominence.
Since the meeting at the academy of
Music on Friday night officials Of the
various teachers organizations say
there has been general awakening to
the seriousness of the situation by the
public generally.
Among the Endorsements was that OF
Thomas S. Boyle. member of the Board
Of Education and president Of the
American Bank, Broad street and Pass
ayunk avenue. who said:
"I am heart and soul with the
teachers in their effort to secure an in
crease, and | WISH both as citizen
and as n member of the Board of Edu.
cation. to do anything and everything
possible to bring about the satisfaction
of their Just request.
+. y. Brewer. general manager Of the
John WanamakCr store. has written:
"Philadelphia and PonnSylyania have
the money. The question seems, simply,
have we the wisdom to spend it adr-
grade teachers. and for support of th"
highest grade school courses and faciIi-
ties"
Governor Coolidge Quoted
Alba Il. johnson. president Of the
Chamber of Commerce. wrote"
''In his address at the Harvard COM
mcncement last June. Governor Cool
idge, of Massachusetts,. said:
"In our pursuit of prosperity we
have forgotten and neglected its
foundations. | am directing
attention to the comparative posi-
tion of the great mass of teachers
and clcrgymCn. Th" Importance of
their position cannot b" 0vcreS-
timated They have been faithful
Though neglected. but a state which
neclects or refuses to support any
class will soon find that such class
neglCcts and refuses to support
it -"
~ The cause Of America is the
cause of education. but OF education
with soul. trained intellect but
guided ever by an enlightened con
science. We of our day need to rec
ognizc with the same vision that
when these fail. America has failed.
I'VE must pay our teachers salaries
sufficient to support them without anX
iety and privatiOn. and which will af-
ford them reasonable pride in their
work and the appreciation in which
it is held by the community in which
they dwell.
Next Generation to Suffer
William Il. DiSston. OF Henry DisS-
ton & Sons. wrote:
'If the people of the city allow their
ppblic school teachers to be dissatisfied
(which they have right to be at
nrasent- and they. therefore, take
ether positiOnS to secure a living wage
the generation which is to come will
suffer in direct proportion to such
action.
Ernest r Trigg. wrote:
'1There is no use having al inStitu e
tion so impOrtans as our schools unless
they are going to be conducted in the
proper manner and by people not only
able and fit to conduct them. but they
must be people who are satisfied and
interested and who are putting the right
sort of constructive effort into their
work.
Coleman Sellers. Jr.. of William Sci
lers & Co.. Inc. wrote:
eve must have more teachers; we
should have the best teachers. They can
only be obtained by Offering at least a
living wage.
Salnuel NJ. Curwen. president Of the
J. G. Brill Co. wrote:
Future With Children
"Thp future of III" country rests
with the school children Of today. and
in order to prepare them for their task
good schools with competent teachers
are essential
Harry Il. French. of Smith. Kline &
French Co. said: I'VE must induce
those members of the community 10
enter the teaching profession who are
qualified in essential points to accom- J.
plish the results that are best for the
community"
Charles VI. Biddlp. president Of the
Supplce Biddlc Hardware Co.. wrote
II am very glad TO know that an
effort is being made by the citizens OF
our commonwealth to present in no m .
certain manner III" urgent need Of addi-
tional funds to provide for m immedi-
ate advance in the salaries of our
teachers.