Evening star., 1943-03-25
Teachers Pay
Fight 10 Go 10
Commissioners
Action Tuesday
Set at Montgomery
P-TA Moss Meeting
BY ]. b. ZATMAN.

BY ]. b. ZATMAN.
Representatives Of 10 harent-
teacher associations in the suburban
area Of Montgomery County today
to carry their tight for In
creased teacher salaries to the
county commissions after a mass
meeting last night Of more than 800
persons at the Leland Junior High
School. The meeting was sponsored
by the Leland P-TA.
A delegation consisting of a repre-
sentative Of each Of the associations
will call on the commissioners at
their meeting Tuesday In Rockville
to urge immediate and continued
financial relief for county school
teachers.
Declaring that the wholesale loss
of teachers is threatening to dis
rupt and deteriorate" the entire
county school system. the assembly
unanimously adopted two resolu-
tions calling for emergency increases
Of 5000 9 year to each teacher re-
ceiving less than $4,000 annually for
the duration Of the war and six
months thereafter.
A bill, passed by the House Of
Delegates last Friday and now be-
fore the Senate for the second time,
provides for wartime bonus Of $40
a month for 10 months to each
teacher In the State. .
After that each teacher would re-
ceive bonus Of $40, to be paid in
seven monthly installments, pro-
vided the county supplies $1l3 Of
this amount. The State would pro-
vide the additional $27.
Immediate Payments Urged.
One Of the resolutions adopted
last night urges the county COM
missioners to authorize immediate
payments Of $40 a month until the
State bill becomes effective July l.
1t also requests the county to as
sure teachers Of the payments from
May l, 1944-expiration date Of the
State measure-to May /, 1945, or
until action Of the Legislature will
have provided further mandatory
payments for the duration Of the
war and six months thereafter.
The second resolution calls on
the Legislature to authorize such
payments in the 1945 budget, pro-
vided that no bonus payments thus
made shall bring any teachers an
nual income to more than 5000.
Mrs. John H. Werner, member
OF the Leland P-TA., pointed out
that since last June 143 teachers
have resigned from the county
school system. She added that Of
IS teachers interviewed recently, ~
have indicated their intention to
look for better paying positions II
immediate financial relief cannot
be obtained.
One Starting Salary Now 1920.
Starting salary for teacher bold
ing a bachelors degree In Mont
gomery County Is 1890, with 1
maximum OF $1,000 after 16 years.
A teacher with a masters degree
starts at 81 800 and receives a maxi
mum Of $500 after 20 years.
At present. Montgomery teach
ers receive salary adjustments from
the county ranging from $50 to 500
a year, depending on their length
OF tenure and base pay.
Declaring that this adjustment
represents an average increase In
salary Of ~ per cent to meet q
"a per cent increase in the cost Of
living, Mrs. Werner said teachers
have lost faith in promises given
them concerning economic security.
There are two teachers at the
Leland School now" she said, who
receive $1,000 year each-the same
salary that Is paid the school
janitor."
Failure of State and county Of.
flcials to provide salary increases
for teachers is reflected in the sharp
decrease Of students at the State
Teachers College at Towson, she
asserted. So far this year, she
added. only II persons have entered
the college.
Political Trickery" CHARGED.
She charged members of the Gen.
eral Assembly with political trick
cry IN killing a bill which provided
Tor the payment Of a $500 annual
bonus to teachers for the duration
Of the war.
THE teachers economic inse-
curity," she emphasized, "is reflected
IN the classroom. A teacher can't
keep an atmosphere of calm in q
classroom when she is worried about
her financial condition"
A naval officer in the audience
criticized members OF the county
legislative delegation as well as the
county commissioners for not at
tending the meeting. william Mo-
rell, president Of the Leland P-TA,
pointed out, however. that they had
not been issued invitations.
Three of the five county commits
sioners, Lacy Shaw, president of the
board; Walter johnson and Richard
H. Lansdale, refused comment on
the action taken last night.
Another commissioner, Harvey J,
White, said he was in favor OF both
resolutions, while the fifth member
Of the board, william H. Prescott,
could not be reached.
Juvenile Case Officer