The Maui news. [volume] (Wailuku, Maui, H.I.) 1900-current, 1921-09-30
Wailuku, Maui.

" "a az
September rs, 1921.
Editor Maui News,
Your excellent editorial article in
the issue of Tuesday of last week is
certainly worthy of a second read.
ing. 1t shows a broad-minded atti-
tude which recommends itself to
those who believe that the press
should present all sides of questions
that are of vital importance, to the
public.
Our problems of the "housing of
teachers" are in a measure unique,
and are certainly difficult of solution.
To some of us it would seem as if a
great deal were being done for the
teachers, to make them happy and
comfortable and to induce them to
stay with us long enough to under
stand the needs of our children. Ger
tainly much more is being done now
than was even thought of, five or ten
years ago. What we should like to
know in just what effect this newer
and better treatment is having on
the teaching force as a whole. How
does it affect the local teachers?
Have they any Reuse Dr. reason for
the feeling (Which is sometimes
rather evident) that they are neglect
ed or Disseminated against, in fav-
or of the tourist teachers" who are
I've with us in overwhelming num-
bers? Is there any marked improve
ment in the attitude of the teachers
who come from the mainland? Do
they remember that Unto Whom
soever is Given, of Him, Shall Be
Much Required"
You say that furniture for teachers
cottages is being made in the school
shops, and Mr.. Lindsay, the school
commissioner, tells us that beds and
stoves are purchased for the cottages
out of the County funds. Are we
not, then, to infer that some of the
cottages-at least those belonging to
the schools that have well-equipped
shops are supplied with the neces-
sary furniture? If so, are their
teachers satisfied, and do they re
main year after year in the same
place? We are informed that nearly
all the larger schools have we'll
equipped shops, and yet changes &C
cur in these schools as frequently as
in the smaller ones. If we still have
hope of finding any relation between
and effect, we must look fur
Their for hte answer to wondering
"Why?"
1t may be considered a hardship
for a teacher on arriving here to
find that she is obliged to buy & mat
tress, curtains for her room, and a
number of other necessities. The
hardship, however, diminishes, when
she compares her subsequent ex-
perses with those of the teacher in
town. In some of the teachers cot
tages on Maui, the average expense
per month is said to be about thirty
dollars, which includes lighr and tele
phone. Where in Honolulu can a
person find room and board for less
than sixty dollars a month? The diff
ference in the amount that can be
saved in a single month is enough to
cover the initial expense for mattress,
curtains, household linen, and other
i~ncidentals which may be necessary.
In view of these facts, is it not
strange that so many of Il teach
ers move from Island to Island, never
content to remain long in one place,
although without any reasonable
hope of finding on any of the Islands,
cottages that are better equipped
than are those on Maui?
No, Mr.. Editor. The final solution
of the problem will not be found in
higher taxes to provide and furnish
cottages for all the teachers; nor
would our troubles and anxieties be
over if all the administrative powers
of the Department of Public Instruc-
ton were in the hands of our local
officials. Many of the teachers are