Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-04-08
FRIDAY. APRIL 8, 1891.
Unjust Criticism for the Chamber

FT'HE TIMES-DTSPATCfI holds no brief
II for the Chamber OF Commerce Not al
ways have its acts met with our entire APP
prevail We have criticized it for doing some
of.the things ii has done. and for not doing
Others we believed II Should have done. Bu'
withal let ii be recognized that whatever the
chamber has done failed to do. IL has
ever acted in accordance with what il be
1ieved TO be for the best interests OF Rich
mond. and whatever criticism this news
paper has made Of the chamber has been
based on the same high level.
At this juncture In the citys affairs the
Chamber OF Commerce is being harshly
criticized by the school teachers and by va
rious organizations, we'll as by hundreds
of individuals, whose accusation is that the
chamber is standing in the path OF educa-
tional progress by opposing u blanket raise
in the teachers salaries All the good the
chamber has done in the past, and all the
good it is trying to do now is forgotten in
= the stentorian cry that it is lighting the
teachers TO protect the city's pocketboook.
But is the accusation just? The Times
Dispatch believes that ii is not. Let us sec.
First, search for the motive back OF the
chambers attitude. II is found in the
simple assertion that at this time OF re-
construction with taxpayers overburdened,
additional taxation, if not absolutely ncces-
SGTS, HOulU ne lttle snort OF culHmlOuS
Surely no fault can be found with that stand
for all reasonable economy on the part of
the city.
Secondly, the chamber never has and is
not now fighting the teachers nor opposing
the elevation Of undcrpaiL teachers to n
decent standard OF wages. Tho chamber has
said that if tax levy be necessary TO give
the teachers living wages, then such a tax
levy should he laid. But the chamber in
the interests of@.he city at large, not con-
tenting itself "1thEcneralities, has gone into
the actual figures and into conditions in its
efforts TO establish the fact that additional
taxation is not necessary. Whether it has
completely proved its case, perhaps even tho
chamber is not prepared 10 say, but through
its efforts il has brought the city 10 an un-
derstanding OF the problem it faces that ii
never would have had otherwise
II the absence OF such IA controversy as
the attitude OF the chamber has brought
forth, the people generally would have stood
+. UP and cheer2d for blanket increase for
every man, woman and child in the school
system. regardless OF the adequacy OF pres
ept salarics,, and regardless OF whether the
benciciarics were engaged in teaching chill
dren or driving trucks. But the people do
Understand now, ANA as consequence IL
IS probable that the Council Will find way
to bring all underpa!d teachers up to a com.
Portable standard and that without Tho bur.
zen OF an additional tax If it should bc
found thai additional taxation be necessary
TO meet the actual demand we are certain
that tho chamber will In no wise oppose il
but We are equally certain that il there
be this additional burden ii viii be ia,
lighter than it would have been had III,
chambei not brought the facts and figure
out into the light of day Cor public discus
SION. or that the chamber deserves tn,
thanks OF all Richmond