The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-10-08
1900 TEACHERb
MUST GO, SAYS
big BIZ rule
New Drive by the Tax
Dodgers on Schools

Fifteen hundred trained teach
ers in the public schools Of
Chicago are in danger of losing
their Jobs within the next few
months.
These teachers may lose their
jobs because the Board of Ed
ucation has been unable or un-
willing to prevent the theft of
enormous sums by board en-
ployees; because a dozen or so
rich corporations, notably Sears, Roe
buck and company, avoid the taxes
imposed on them by law; because half
dozen other huge firms refuse in
corporation in order to avoid paying
something towards the maintenance
on the public schools; because few
important business men have the
corner" on the purchase of supplies,
which are supposed to be obtained
after competitive bidding; and be-
cause the land which the city has Civ
en- over for the use of the schools
has been Leased for song to various
concerns, chief among these the Chi
cago Daily News and the Chicago
Tribune.
Increase Size of Glasses.
No indication has been made that
there will be any attempts to remedy
these conditions. What is suggested
in letter sent from H. H. Bracket.
auditor of the Board of Education, to
julius F. Smietenka, chairman of the
finance committee, is that the num-
Der of children in the class rooms be
Observation-Disclosures will tell you that
their rooms are already over crowded
to a point that makes teaching almost
an impossibility-an that 1900 of the
teachers be dropped from the payroll.
Otber measures, too, are already
under consideration by the superin-
tendent and members of the board.
The penny lunch room, according to
julius F. Smietenka, ought not to be
continued.
Almost every parent is in posi-
ton today to take care Of his child
says Smietenka.
1t is also possible that the Cook
county school for boys may be drop
ped altogether
The report is being considered
quietly and under cover. Members
of the board were mysteriousiy ~out
of town" all day yesterday. 1t is prob
able that they will remain "out Of
town" until the time comes to slide
thru at board meeting the new cut
in the teaching staff.
What Job Loss Means.
How loss of employment affects
teachers can hardly be understood I'M
less it is remembered that years of
preparation are needed to gain admit
lance to the system, and that the re-
Quirements differ from state to state.
making it almost impossible for
teacher who has been fired" from
the system in one state to get employ
ment in another state
That the small militant group which
has been putting up an open fight
against the slave-driving tactics OF
William McAndrew. superintendent of
schools. and against the big business
board which is behind him, will be
the first to feel the effects of the new
economy" is unquestloned. The re-
vision of the budget offers an oppor-
tunity to get rid of the last remnants
Of self-respect and independence left
to the teachers of Chicago.
Federation Officials Silent. ~
officials of the Chicago Teachers.
Federation met all questions as to
the position which they intend to take
on the employment slash in their
usual non-commSJal manner. It is
problematical whether the officialdom
Of the union viii take any action,
whatsoever. in spite of the fact that
the rank and file OF the teachers are
eager to fight the school board.