Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-03-09
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
HEARS SCHOOL TEACHERS
Business Men Ready to Foot Share
of Extra Taxes for Salary
Increase.
CONTINUE MEETING TONIGHT
Announcements Made That $50 Citi-
Zcns Are Ready to Address Com
mittcc on Mattcr-Many Organi-
Zations Urge Action.

Mor" than n score OF leading bust
ness and professional men or tn" ,.f:v
addressed the Finance Committee %.
city Council last uighi on tn. rucs.
ton OF increased salaries FOR the
public school-tcachers Announcing
mat there were about $50 other bust
ncss men In reserve" many OF them
present, w c. Locker. master %
ceremonies. at 10 o'clock called off
the speakers. and left the matter so
rnr as that phase Of the situation
was concerned. in the hands Of the
committee
citizens. representing some Of tho
largest manufactures and business
concern" in the city, agreed that II
the committee felt that in o"'l'r TO
the School BOARD. an increase in taxa
ton would he necessary. they would
cheerfuily pay their share.
Teachers Out In Force.
The meeting was an inspiring ono.
The Council Chamber was crowded To-
schooi-tcachcrs. school officials. bust
ness and professional men and NO
men. ana leaders in the civic and
business circles or the city.
Many suggestions were offered by
tho speakers. but tho general cou-
s"nsus favored. IL necessary. an in
privileges. and also. II necessary an
increase in water and gas rates
The practicabiIity Of this latter
was questioned By Councilman Jones.
usual procedure to increase prices on
utilities for the purpose Of maintain
Ing any other department than the
one from which the SPECIFIC rcvc-
nue Is derived.
~ the conclusion OF the hearing.
the committee agreed 10 meet to-
night at o'clock To hear from tho
members OF the School Board and
school officials. the idea being to have
a heart-to-hcart conference on the
subject. and 10 reach some tentative
decision at once 50 the form OF rais-
ing revenue may be settled upon.
Committee IL Convinced.
From expression OF opinion OF
members OF the committee. there
seems little doubt bu; that the
teachers viii receive the salaries as
suggested by the board. and that
they will begin as of January /. 1921
The surprising frankncss displayed
in the short talks OF the leading
business men convinced the commit
tecmen that the public stood ready
to indorse any form OF taxation
which might be pro posed. provided
it appeared absolutely necessary for
the purposes Of the proposed salary
Increases.
Robert Il. Airport In his address.
suggested that perhaps tho commit :
tee might save a large part OF the
necessary amount needed for the
"A great reduction In the price OF
oil. large quantities OF which are
used by the city departments. par
ticularly that Of utilities in the
manufacture Of gas.
Senator Morgan Il Mills. former
member Of tho comm ittce, suggested
that tax on realty. increased Ii
ceuscs. and an Increased price for
wafer and gas would give the city
a II that may be needed.
W. H. SchwarZsch!ld. representing
tho Retail Merchants Association
pointed out that a sufficient sum
'aight b.. derived from the special
privileges in building permits and
Inspection. electric Inspection and
plumbing inspection, which would
add largely 10 tho revenues. and
more necessary 10 obtain through
special taxation
MIR. RhondS * tmnYcd.
Mrs. Il. y. Munford representing
the League OF Women Voters and
hcrsclf individually. said by al
means raise the taxes. If that were
necessary.
". S Ehoads. speaking as cit
ten Of the firm OF Miller & Rhoads
said thai u was amazing to know
that tn. youn. women who start in
business Ia anv of tn. Broad Street
stores yet more to begin with than
the teachers after two years serv
ice. "But," said MIR. Rhoads. I'VE
want tho very best people in our
from the public schools, and come 50
well equipped. We want the school
system to At least keep up its point
OF efficiency, and we feel that We
cannot get IL unless we pay our
teachers salary commensurate with