Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1921-03-17
U. S. MUST PAY
TEACHERS MORE
Federal Commissioner of Educa-
ton Conducting National
Campaign.
SHORT 100000 INSTRUCTORS
One School Out Of Every twenty-five
in Country Couldn't Open This Year
Because Of Teacher Shortaoe-clax-
ton Fighting for Competent, Well
trained Teacher for Every Boy and
Girl in America-Favors Minimum
Wage of $4,000 a Year.

"Americas greatest problem-the
shortage of school teachers"
To meet this problem Philander P.
ClaxtOn, commissioner Of education, Is
carrying forward a national educa-
tlOnal campaign.
III every way Claxton Is trying to
get before the people this big idea:
"You are paying $50,OOO,OOO 600 as
your bill for the war. You can have
100 per cent elementary school system
at an outlay of 2,25O,0O0,OOO year.
Education is the greatest preventive
of war. 1t is the only insurance Of
progress and prosperity. VIII you foot
the bill? Will you demand that ma
tiOnal, state and local officials give
you the chance-for your children's
sakeW
The schools are short 100000 teach
erS.
One school out of every % in the
country couldn't open this year be-
cause of the teacher shortage.
Claxton Is fighting for "a competent,
wel-traned teacher for every boy and
girl In America y
Recent reports from county and
district superintendents," says Clax-
ton, "indicate that in addition to thou
sands of schools without any instruc-
tors, many are taught by unframed
teachers.
1.-THE shortage will continue to be
serious until better salaries are paid
ana better training facilities are pro-
vided.
Can't Be Paid In Money.
Teachers worthy Of place In the
schools in which American children
are prepared for life, can never be
fully paid in money. They do have
certain spiritual rewards. but this
should not be an excuse for putting
education on a charity basis.
1--WE have now come to the parting
of the ways. Which shall we accept?
Makeshft teachers, who are simply
teaching until they can find a chance
In some other field, or the men and
women with ability and culture who
can be trusted with the worlds most
precious treasures-the minds of our
children?
I'VE cannot hope> to attract we'll
equipped teachers unless there Is a
guaranty of good wages for years to
come"
what do you consider an adequate
salary for the average teacher2" he
was asked.
1T ought not to be less than $1,000
for elementary and secondary schools"
was his reply. This Is three times
as much as the average for the year
1918, and more than $50 per cent
above the average for the year 1920.
Can we pay such salaries? With
proper economy-yes.
consolidation of small rural schools
will cut down expense. With that done
and work-study- rotation plan
adopted in the city schools, 10000 ele-
mentary teachers will be enough for
the next five or ten years.
"At an average wage of $4,000 1t
will take $1.5OO;0OO,O00 to pay that
number of teachers. Increase this by
so per cent-a liberal amount-to pay
for administration, supervision, build
ings, equipment and supplies. we have
a total $2,5OO,OOO,OOO.
"Our part In the World war, In
which we fought for freedom and de-
mocracy, cost US not less than $5O,OOO,-
100000. Without education, there can
be neither freedom nor democracy"
Claxton pointed to QUESTIONABLE
sent out by the National Education
. association at the beginning of the
present school year to get facts as to
the teacher shortage.
Shortage Greatest In South.
Answers showed Georgia leads with
the greatest estimated teacher short
age and below standard teachers with
$500. North Carolina Is next with
1924. g ~
Only one state, Nevada, a sparsely
settled commonwealth, reported no ac-
tual shortage though 1t recorded thirty
below-standard teachers.
Replies to the question, what per
cent of your teachers have had two
years or more of training beyond high
schools2" show that in only few
states have one-half the teachers had
that amount of training
about one-sixth Of the teaching
forces In the American public schools
leave each year." continued ClaxtOn.
"Many of the women leave to be mar
red or to enter other lines Of endeavor.
In former years, however, their places
were always supplied from the new
recruits.
"Now the desirable recruits go else
where, and will continue to do so until
they receive something more than
mere living allowance In return for