Evening star., 1922-03-19
DEBATE: INCREASE
IN TEACHERS PAY
Clayton Says Clerks Should
Receive Raise First.
Davis Thinks Not.
Reject ALL AMENDMENTS
Proposed Changes to Constitution
of Federated Citizens Tabled
by Vote of 26 to 20.

Whether school teachers should re-
ceive further increases in salaries be-
fore the statutory employees of the
District government are granted
raises was debated before the Fedora
ton of Citizens Associations at the
District building last night.
Prof. Allan Davis. principal of Busi-
ness High School, and a delegate to
the federation. arose to report on his
recent appearance before the Com
missioners in support of the Capper
Davis spoke for the school commit
tee.
William NICK Clayton. as chair
man of special committee of the
federation appointed to work for bet
ter pay for the statutory clerks in
the District service. told the fedora
ton that he also attended the hear
ing before the Commissioners and
pleaded the case of the clerks, who
years.
The federation has previously gone
on record in favor of better pay, both
for teachers and clerks, in the city
service. No further action was taken
last night following the debate be-
as to which group should be advanced
first.
Calls Attitude illogical.
Prof. Davis told the delegates he
had heard rumors that the Commits
sioners would oppose the bill for an
increase for teachers on the ground
that they have been raised since the
war. whereas the clerks in the Dis
trfct building have had no increase.
a
would be dangerous and Illogical.
You might as we'll say" he con-
tfnued. that because we need new
police stations we will not build a
new fire engine house"
Mr.. Davis declared the teachers
are not opposed to an increase in the
salaries of District clerks, but. on
the contrary. want to see them given
a proper wage.
Mr.. Clayton took the position that
erS all have obtained higher salaries
since the war, and that none of these
groups of public servants should be
pushed farther ahead until the clerks.
who have had no increase, are
brought somewhere near the level of
the other groups.
Take No Action.
The delegates listened attentively
to both speakers, but adjourned
the subject of salaries in the public
service.
An attempt to rewrite the constitu
ton of the federation failed COM
pletely when the delegates laid on
the table, by vote of 26 to 20. all
of the proposed changes.
The meeting had been called espe-
cially to consider the revision OF the
constitution and the delegates were
primed for an evening of heated de-,
bate on the various sections.
The first amendment had not been
disposed of. however. when Capt.
George w. Evans of West End chal-
lenged the necessity for any changes
in the existing rules. Suddenly. In the
midst of his speech, he moved that
the entire slate of amendments be lald
on the table.
Although such a development had
rot been looked for. the motion was
carried by majority of six. The
delegates then aSopted another reso-
luton discharging with thanks the
committee which had drafted the new
constitution.
Would Have Changed Name.
The amendments would have
changed the name to the Council Of
the Federation of Citizens Associa-
tions, would have established a new
system of assessing dues from ami
lated organizations. and would have
pTOVlueu lOI du dlSCl AotS A0A sAAA wv
sent delegate.
Mr.. Clayton. for the utilities COM
mittee, reported that the public will
save S417,0O0 a year through the re-
cent reduction in street car fare and
$4,000 through the cut in the price
of gas making a total of more than
$500, 900. The federation, he said,
stood practically alone in asking for
reductions in those rates.
On motion of w. B. Todd, chairman
Of the highway. parks and waterway
committee. the federation indorsed
the Commissioners bill for. a new
street between 9Th street and Georgia
avenue, north of Florida avenue. This
street is intended primarily to take
the 9Th street cars of the Washington
Railway and Electric Company to
Georgia: avenue without passing
through Florida avenue.
The federation also indorsed the de-
mand for better. paving on Georgia
avenue between Florida avenue and
Buchanan sS<GI anf 5-gested that
consideration be given to installation
of underground street car trackage
on Georgia avenue. c. A. Baker. presi-
dent of the federation, presided.