Evening journal., 1923-02-03
TEACHERS PLEAD
FOR EDUCATION
Hope Legislature Will Not
Deprive State Children
of Any Benefits
DEMOCRATS FOR
BACKWARD STEP

emphasis laid upon the need for vo-
cational training courses IN the
rural high schools OF Delaware be-
ing retained. were indorsed by the
members OF the New Castle County
Teachers Association and members
OF trustees OF the county schools at
special meeting OF that organiza-
tion held at No. school today.
Report that the Legislature In
tended TO cut one million dollars
from the budget sought by the State
Board: that vocational training was
not wanted in the State; the danger
OF Representative Grayis ripper bin
being called from committee and the
slashing OF tho overhead OF the State
Board OF Education. were details
that kept the attention. OF teachers
and trustees, members OF the State
Department OF EdpCaion and some
members OF the Legislature who at
tended the meeting at a high pitch
OF interest throughout the meeting.
Particularly significant were the
statements OF Representative George
7. Slant OF Townsend. 90 the teach
ers, trustees and State educators.
Mr.. Slant took lively interest IN the
meeting and many times spoke on
various phases OF the school situa-
tion in the State.
''I'd like TO tell you folks what the
members OF my party have discussed
and decided upon in cauouses. but
those matters are 20 be kept secret.
We have talked over the school sit
uation many times but cannot tell
you what the Democrats have de-
cided 20 do. can tell you that there
has been a decided disposition 20 re-
duce salaries. don't mean teachers
salaries. but the heads of depart
ments. Whether his will go through
do not knSw. I'D Ike 20 tell you
more. but I cannot.
Il can tell you this. however. that
u you want 20 win out in your school
fight, come 20 Dover. Send delega-
tions 10 teachers and trustees and
citizens. and tell the members what
you want. That will help lot.
The Legislature doesn't know what
the people IN northern Delaware
want and its up 70 you folks to come
to Dover and tell the members.
Representative Slant had previous
" stated that 81 was oratOry that won !
the favorable report on the prison
ers' parole bill. He said the COM I
mittee was not favorable to the bill
until they heard arguments present |
ed for Il.
Just before adjournment this af- !
ternOon. the meeting unanimously |
the following resolutions:
since the Legislature Is now IN
session. and one OF its most import
ant tasks Is -he equitable disposal OF
school legislation. and since sym
pathetic help fs desired by all the
members OF the General Assembly
who. we are sure. are desirous OF
doing the things that viii mean most
to the youth OF the State as well as
all concerned, and feeling that any
expression on our part stating any
conclusions We have reached as a /
body on vital issues now before the I
Legislature win be welcomed by that
Body. be Il resolved.
Il. That we approve the amend
nents proposed by the state Board OF
Education; its budget and building
program.
%. That we most emphatically l.
the so-calied Gray Bill or
any measure that would carry the
State backward educationslly, and
hall oppose any such steps as being
most detrimental 20 the State.
.
he Education Committee is 10 make
4 careful open-minded study OF the
school expenditures. as well a. the
distribution Of the budget submitted
~ the State Board OF Education,
md that they be thoroughly con-
-inced any changes made will not
mar the efficiency OF the schools be-
ore making such changes. It Is far 7
,etter 70 seek new sources OF reve-
lue than 70 deprive the children OF !
Delaware OF their rights 10 a good ,
'ducation under sanitary surround ,
ngs. (
-. That we consider supervision I
n rural schools even more essen ,
ial than supervision in city schools, 7
md urge that the efficiency OF the g
chools be maintained and strength
ned by making provisions for the
OF this work.
IS. That we indorse the continu-
.tion Of the vocational work IN the
;tate. agriculture. home economies
nd State industries.
"6 That we feel the maximum
alary for a Grade teachers, hold
ne first or second elementary GER
lfcates. should be raised.
~. That we indorse the bill intro
uced by Representative Little on
he teachers retirement proposi-
lon"
The committee which prepared
he resolutions comprised o. f.
fcKniehlt. Middletown. Frances
oy and Mrs. A. Carpenter.
The meeting was in charge OF Pro-
assor Warren X. Yerger. principal
Z the DUPONT High School. The
hief speaker was Professor
chmucker. professor OF science OF
ne West Chester Normal School.
He was followed by John Shilling
gsistant in high schools OF the State
OF Education. Delaware.
rr. Shilling explained how the :
udeet for operating Che schools
" the next two years had been :
repared. That the only increases
.ade IN the budget for the next
vo years over the last two years. G
az for increases in teachers sal /
-ies where incompetent teachers :
ere now doing the work. There 4
ere some incidental increases in Il
/ departments but only sufficient a
meet increasing needs. He quot
the price of coal for schools as o