TEACHER'S ROOM STACKS AMERIC SAN TEACHER democracy in education: education for democracy IN THIS ISSUE fe Economy Programs William J. Bogan Tenure for Teachers J. M. Graybiel News from the Field News of Our Members OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS Price 25 Cents March 1932 ee we ——s “Intelligent Travel at Minimum Cost” COOPERATIVE GROUPS TEACHERS STUDENTS, ARTISTS AND SOCIAL WORKERS WET PUSSIA| EUROBE under competent ‘the Friendship Tours leadership way — ew of 12 to 33 days in the Our European programs are .5.5.R. Visiting the most arranged in collaboration ad sting of New Russia’s with the International Stu- projects. Survey trips and dent Hospitality Assn. of special studies in the fields Geneva and Paris. You are of Education, the Theatre, assured of stimulating guid- are Social Life and Indus- ance and intimate contacts trial Progress. _ -_ with people of your own 3d 2d vocation. Category Category ————————— : : A Including) Including coor | oS" Op COST 3dClass| Tourist 3d Class on on (all on on ‘Steamer Steamer expenses) Steamer | Steamer 33 Days aq j 60 day trip ( rd Days | $410 } $654 (6 countries) $495 $565 26 Ds ys | 375 584 46 day trip 400 470 21 Days | 350 550 (4 —— ——_—__—— : 39 day trip Also Shorter Trips (3 countries) 360 430 Prices include all necessary eet aes Yn expenses from the time of embarkation in New York, ene _ the last point in the U. S.R. and return passage gt. Cherbourg or Southampton. 2d Class in Europe Prices include entertainment at theatre and opera, invita- tion dinners in private homes and ahost of other activities. Sailings on the “Bremen” and Sailings on the “Gen. v. “Europa” June 7, 15, July 9, Steuben” June 30 and August 13 July 28 FOR BOOKLETS ADDRESS PHILIP BROWN, _ DIRECTOR FRIENDSHIP TOURS 136 BERKELEY PLACE ~~ BROOKLYN, N. Y.. Adopted as the official emblem of the American Federation of Teachers Pins and buttons in this design may be secured for 25 cents and up. Red gold metal, 25 cents. Locals desiring this pin for members or in selected material for presentation to officers, place orders with AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS 506 South Wabash Ave. Chicago, II. Cuts in any size may also be obtained for use on stationery and other printing. THRE ACID TEST What more exacting test can there be of dic- tionary leadership than the judgment of the educational world? Every state that has adopted an unabridged dictionary for use in its schools has chosen exclusively WEBSTER’S NEW INTERNATIONAL DICTIONARY The Colleges voted overwhelmingly in favor of Webster as the standard of pronunciation, in answer to questions submitted by the Chicago Woman's Club. Nearly 100% of all schoolbooks are based on the New* ‘International for pronunciation, spelling, compounding, and division of words. The New International has been universally accepted by those best fitted to judge. It is in accord with the best modern prac- tice. Use it in your own schools. Write for our free booklets of interesting ways to teach the use of the dictionary. GET THE BEST ~G. & C. MERRIAM COMPANY SPRINGFIELD, MASS. A. R. BALFANZ, President W. T. FISHER, Treasurer The H. G. ADAIR Printing Co. CONSTRUCTIVE PRINTERS Phone FRAnklin 8124-5-6 CHICAGO ND 107 North Wacker Drive ameetioae ty ~ pe wo oo @ ! rer MarcH, 1932 THE AMERICAN TEACHER Editorial Office : 506 South Wabash Ave., Chicago, Illinois. Published monthly except August and September by the American Federation of Teachers, 506. South Wabash Ave., Chicago, iilinois. Entered as second class matter October 27, 1926, at the post office at Chicago, Ili., under the Act of March 3, 1879. Ac- ceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in Sec. 1103, Act of Feb. 28, 1925, authorized Nov. 3, 1926. Subscription $2.00 for the year—Foreign $2.20—Single copies, 25c. Subscribers are requested to give prompt notice of changes of address. der, draft, stamps or check. At the time of expiration, a bill will be found in the copy. Remittances should be made in postal money-order, express Vor. XVI — ———___—_——_— Marcu, 1932 7 Economy Programs HE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS, in com- mon with all organizations of workers, professional and business groups, is interested in the welfare f its members. It is also intensely interested in the public school system of America and the millions of children for whose benefit it exists. The public school system is experiencing an attack on its very existence as an institution providing for the edu- cational needs of the children of all the people, to say nothing of its functions as the chief bulwark of democ- ray. The present so-called “economy” programs, de- signed to eliminate many features of the school system and many teachers through larger classes and smaller salaries, are not a product of the other cities they have stayed faithfully on the job with- out pay, month after month, rather than see the school system perish or be injured, This they have done at enormous personal sacrifices. They would be willing to endure further sacrifices if they thought them to be to the best interests of the schools. With the leaders of the American Federation of Labor and the more far sighted business leaders, the American Federation of , Teachers believes that wage cutting, meaning a cutting of buying power, will prolong and not end the present depression. which all agree is not caused by a lack of means to pro duce, but by lack of power to buy. When this organiza tion and its members are convinced that there are not great resources of taxation, rep- depression. They are the work of resented by idle wealth in enor- BREAD IS NOT ENOUGH Bread for the hungry though we give the present circumstances become By bread alone man cannot live, engaged in unnecessary produc But mind and heart tion, which lie practically un Must have their portion lest they fail, touched by any taxation, it and Lest courage may no more avail they will recommend lower salar- To play its part. ies first, and last of all a contrac- tion of educational activities. rich One sation o the e, s0- duca- + will of the in the o the 1e at- 1ation cation hands ark of world. hould e and Public farcH, 1932 NCIENT history records the formation of trium- virates to dominate the political policies of the world, but modern times furnish us with examples ‘triumvirates set up to undermine the free public shool system of the United States. Mirabile dictu, his strange combination of apparently incoherent forces kems to work together in perfect harmony. The head tnd soul of this undemocratic, de educational organiza- ton, is the Tax Payers Associations of the United States These associations, the members of which in many cases present large corporate interests, have consistently iught paying their proportionate share of the tax bur- en, If allowed to sit in the saddle where they now seem to be, night schools and our free public high schools will suffer an eclipse from which they will not soon recover. The second member of this triumvirate is composed {the school boards or school trustees of our country. This group seems to function splendidly in coordinating the third group, that of the school administrators, with the first or Tax Payers Association. In most cases, it vems, whether elected or appointed, the members of the loards of trustees are strangely subservient to the sug- estions of the Tax Payers Association. These boards ikewise furnish a splendid medium for the execution of many unreasonable and autocratic demands of admin- strators. Obsessed with the Fourteenth Century ideals, hey still demand the right to “hire and fire” teachers at wil. This furnishes a real opportunity for the admin- ‘rator to rid himself of any one against whom he may ‘ump up any sort of plausible charge. Under the guise of acting for the good of the schools the tenure laws of our cities and several states of the union have been assailed and charged with being the ause Of maintaining incompetent teachers in the public ‘hols, This charge, because of its subtle and insidious ‘ature, falsely assuming the welfare of the schools to be ie real reason for the change, becomes one of our most jdlacious and vicious attacks against the independence ithe American public school teacher, There is seldom f word of truth in such charges. They are made, in fist cases, to remove the very best and most progres- Ke teachers in the school system. Those familiar with '¢ old system know that we had a larger proportion of “competent teachers in our public schools under the old foils system than has ever at any time interfered with hie efficiency of any school system operating under a ist and sane tenure law. Because of false and insidious propaganda against ‘ture the public at large finds itself bewildered and fable to determine just what is the best thing to do. Pe impression has gone out that tenure is some form of raft to give teachers a life job. Unless this false dan- ‘tous Opinion is checked the public schools will rapidly Meriorate and the educational and professional stand ‘ls of teachers will be materially lowered. The public cn enure for Teachers A Sine Qua Non for the Welfare of the Public Schools J. M. Graybiel must be shown that the welfare of the public schools is closely linked up with the welfare and tenure of their teachers. When once the public sees the injustice of expecting a person to spend from $10,000 to $12,000 pre- paring for a profession and receiving for such outlay only the possibility of a job, there will be a reversion of sentiment and the restoration of democracy will follow in our public schools. It is the job of the classroom teacher to stand for the rights of the boys and girls wha are being exploited to fill the coffers of the multi-mil- lionaire. But this is not all of the teacher’s task; he knows the value of preparedness and realizes that a continuance of high educational standards and the estab- lishment of a teaching profession can be predicated only upon a sound ethical and economical basis. Despite the present financial depression it still remains true that teaching can never be made a profession unless the remuneration is sufficient to remove the sting of want and enable him who aspires to lead our youth to fit himself to give the best that is in him. Business does not hesitate to pay for its leaders. Big business is bidding for the best, with one exception, and that is in the field of education. Here, strange to say, in the business that trains for all business, economic philosophy and eco- nomic practice seem to have reversed themselves and the educators of the leaders of tomorrow find themselves relegated to the status of a day laborer and constantly forced to fight for a job. It seems almost inexplicable, after all that has been said about the incalculable worth of education, that it should be necessary to-say that the very best should be selected to train the youth in the public schools of America. It is true that this ideal has never been fully realized at any time and largely so because the general public has a feeling that anyone can teach school. [ven today, | am told, Tax Payers’ Associations and the public press in certain sections of our country are boldly charging the teaching body with incompetency. If reports are to be credited, our schools are only stepping stones wherein the ambitious teachers may serve their appren- ticeships for the real jobs of affluence and honor, The bright woman teacher is only a matrimonial prospect and the intelligent man a potential leader of industry. All that remains after this skimming process is a “soggy mass.” Alas, for America or any part of it where these charges may be true. I know of no one who would take credit for bringing about such a situation unless it is that part of the public press which has sold itself out to be the mouthpiece of a group of people who would exploit the teachers because they find them to be the most easily robbed under the guise of economy and tax reduction, The writer’s memory runs back thirty-five years to a little old “white school house’’ on the Nebraska plains This was an ungraded one room school with pupils rang (Turn to page 11) et ee Se ed Democracy American Federation of Teachers Organized April 15, 1916 Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor 506 South Wabash Ave., Chicago, II. President Henry R. Linvitte, New York Local 5; 70 Fifth Ave., New York, N. Y. Secretary-Treasurer Fiorence Curtis Hanson, Chicago Local 3; 506 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IIl. THE AMERICAN TEACHER Official Organ Apvisory EpiTortAL Boarp Lucie W. ALLEN’ RutH GILLETTE Harpy Chicago Local 3 New York Local 5 Mary C. Barker Henry R. LINVILLE Atlanta Local 89 New York Local 5 Sectma M. Borcuarpt A. D. SHEFFIELD Washington Local 8 Wellesley College James M.Graysrer CHartes B. STILLMAN San Francisco Local 61 Chicago Local 2 FLoreENcE Curtis HANSON Executive Editor Editorial Office 506 South Wabash Ave., Chicago, IIl. Publisher H. G. Aparr Printinc Co. 107 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IIl. elie A Warning It might be weli for the self im- portant and prominent citizens over the land who are attempting to impose themselves as a super government over the constitutional authorities to stop, look and listen. It is just pos- sible that these self appointed guard- ians of the public welfare may be mis- taken even from a self-interest stand- point when they attempt to force legitimate governing bodies to econ- omize to the point of destroying es- sential public institutions. In their zeal to keep intact the huge fortunes they have been permitted to build up under what they characterize as extravagant and wasteful govern- ments they may upset the whole apple cart. They should remember that most of the apples are theirs. For whatever may be wrong with the national and local governments this same group which is now so bit- terly critical must assume most of the responsibility. Corruption and waste and extravagance in public of- fice can always be traced to some spe- cial interest with plenty of money to spend, which is controlied by these same public saviors who are just now terribly frightened by the franken- steins they have created. Individuals may amass great wealth only when given great protection and usually special privileges by organized society. The more wealth a person has the more protection he receives and needs, Not merely police and fire protection but the protection given by a well fed, busy and contented popu- lace. Weaken that protection and that wealth is less secure. No institution in America has con- tributed more to the happiness and welfare of the average people than the public school. Nothing is doing more to produce an orderly, efficient and industrious nation. No one thing gives more satisfaction to the average citizen than that his child is having greater educational opportunities than he has had. The wealthier citizens of the com- munities who are organizing for the purpose of reducing the cost of gov- ernment are beginning in many in- stances with the schools. It seems an easy place to begin. The public serv- ants engaged in educational work are neither wealthy nor politically power- ful. Thus far these “first citizens” are right. But they should take heed of the beneficiaries of the public schools, the millions of parents, who, unlike these important cost deflaters, are not able to have their children educated in expensive private schools. These average American parents are not wealthy, but once aroused, they are the most powerful force in the world. No defense of the present school system as a perfect institution is here intended. It has been hampered too much in its development by the same forces which would now, in the name of economy, cripple if not destroy it. Members of school boards more frequently than any other public offi- cials are selected from among the wealthiest and most conservative per- sons of the community, and we have tried to make ourselves believe usually from the more public spirited of this group. There is something about serving on a school board that tends to make even a heavy taxpayer sup- THE AMERICAN TEACHER in Education port public education. The schools, more than any other governmental function, have been in the hands of our wealthiest people. In the larger cities, at least, it is as unusual to find a small taxpayer serving as a member of a board of education as it is to find on such a board a parent of a child in the public schools. In a time of national calamity such as a war, pestilence or economic de- pression, everything a citizen has be- longs to the state if the state needs it, even his life in time of war. A de- pression may cause more widespread suffering than a foreign war and should be treated as seriously. It is not only a time for real economy and the prevention of waste and extrava- gance but also a time for the fostering and protection of essential institu- tions, possibly even to the extent of capital levies on great fortunes. Un- less our necessary governmental ac- tivities are preserved, great fortunes can no lenger be accumulated. It might be more enlightened self interest for our men of great wealth and presumably great business acu- men to go about securing financial aid for preserving such essential institu- tions as the public schools. It is true that small property owners are in dis- tress and are unable to meet their tax obligations. It is also true that many of our loudest tax savers are not in distress. They are merely not making money as fast as they did last year. As long as there are million dollar personal incomes or even fifty thou- sand dollar ones, it is not only bad taste but even shortsighted selfishness for the recipients of these incomes to advocate any serious retrenchment in the operation of any really essential governmental function. It is just possible that a wiser course for these tax reductionists to pursue at this time of stress would be to make an intelligent effort to see how they can devote more of their wealth for the support of the govern- ments that have been so generous to them. The future of their fortunes will be more secure even if their fig- ures are not so large, if they concen- trate their efforts and if necessary consecrate a part of their wealth to devise means of employing the mil- lions of idle men and to preserving, not destroying, the institutions that have made them rich and powerful. tor VIC pr the citi gal wit of gra the To ope aga liev the tect you erat witl is 0 Sala sche Lab Cre the Citie ER ger ac- ines self alth acu- | aid titu- true dis- tax any yt in king year. ollar hou- bad ness es to nt in ntial viser ts to ld be » see their yern- us to runes r fig- neen- ssary th to mil- ving, that ‘ul. 1932 MaRcH, \ Education for Democracy What to Do? ORGANIZE! “Stick to the fight when you're hardest hit— “It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit.” It is in these times of financial dis- tress that the value of organization can be best appreciated. With all the enemies of the schools taking advan- tage of the economic situation to press their fight against public education and its expense, organization is needed as it has never been needed before. Salary cuts, curriculum cuts, school year cuts, cuts in everything but the size of classes. Let’s not cut our membership, but do everything pos- sible to increase it. Some locals have made gratifying increases as will ap- pear under News of the Locals. We have had some new locals but we should have more. If the teachers ever needed our organization, it is now. It may be necessary for most of us to take cuts eventually if the cus- tom becomes too general. There is victory in defeat sometimes. Salary reductions have been proposed in practically all the schools throughout the country. Reductions up to fifty per cent have been made. In the cities where the teachers are well or- ganized, cuts have been opposed and with considerable success. It is worthy of note that the nucleus of opposition to both salary and pro- gram cuts is always the local unit of the American Federation of Teachers. Too often the administrators have co- operated with outside influences against what the teachers have be- lieved to be their best interests. It is the organization controlled by the class room teachers which is pro- tecting the teachers in the crises. Do your share. Join the American Fed- eration of Teachers which is affiliated with the one national organization that IS Opposing all reductions in teachers salaries or in the activities of our pois the American Federation of e Crowdin g The present tendency to increase the size of classes and in the larger cities the size of school buildings is in our opinion one of the greatest dan- gers facing public education, The American Federation of Teach- ers has always advocated small schools and classes. A determined resistance to crowded classes and schools should be made in this era of economy. A modern school system which boasts of educating for citizenship should not attempt to do this by herd- ing children in large mobs even in the name of education. Over-large groups foster mob psychology rather than orderly thinking and action. The fact that the two cities which have the largest schools are the cities in which gangdom has come into the fullest flower is worth pondering over. It may be that these schools with their thousands crowded into inadequate quarters are proving to be efficient in- stitutions for gangster training, with such distinguished graduates as Al Capone and Legs Diamond. Certainly these monstrosities called public schools with enrollments of thousands cannot give their children the indi- vidual attention necessary to make them citizens of an orderly society. Administrators who should and do know better are sometimes led astray by the publicity accompanying a con- nection with “the largest school in America” or some other “largest,” or even by the larger salary sometimes paid. A conscientious principal knows that he cannot administer a school of six thousand as well as one of twelve hundred, and he is false to his educa- cational ideals when he encourages the larger units. The time will come when an intel- ligent citizen will no more boast that his city has the largest school build- ings than that it has the largest jails or almshouses. The time is here when no educator should encourage such educational errors. Character Education A great need today: is character building. We all admit it. The schools of America are taken to task because they do not do a better job at this. Educators are rushing into print to tell how the schools can de- velop character. An association of teachers meeting last summer with thousands in attendance discussed the question at great length and decided to appoint a committee to study the question and work out a course of study in Character Education. The American Federation of Teach- ers has a plan which will not add an iota to an already overcrowded cur- riculum. All that will be necessary to put this plan into effect and bring a successful result will be to spend some money. Taking this statement A knowledge of right and duty only renders one a greater hypocrite unless he have moral sense and moral life sufficient to conform to his own convictions. —Walker. as a basic truth, the American Fed- eration of Teachers excludes the course-of-study panacea. It pins its faith to John Dewey’s pronounce- ment, All other reforms in education depend on those who are engaged in the teach- ing profession. and Dr. Charles F. Thwing’s words The teacher is the life of the school. Schools of character are the result of teachers of great character. It offers as a solution, its program, A maximum of 1200 pupils to a build- ing; a maximum of 25 pupils to a class. Eliminate the oversize class and the overcrowded school unit, thereby giv- ing the teacher of character and ini- tiative an opportunity for intimate contact with his pupils and your prob- lem of character education is solved. Married Women and Unemployment “The dismissal of married women would not remedy unemployment, It would scarcely make a dent in the sit- uation, even were it not too unjust and impracticable to consider,” says the Executive Board of the National Women’s Trade Union League of America in a letter sent to Mr. Walter S. Gifford, Director of the President’s Organization on Unemployment Re- lief. “The married-woman question must not become a smoke screen,” the let- ter urges, “to hide the real unemploy- ment problems of providing work by shortening hours, and increasing the consumers’ purchasing power by shar- ing the earnings of industry. “The only fair dismissal policy with reference to women, as to men,” the 8 League contends, “is to consider each case on its merits. Not the marriage status but the economic status of the worker, the need, the number of de- pendents, the service given, etc., should determine the preference, pro- viding, of course, that all possible means of spreading work have been exhausted. Even if the married wom- an has no dependents, there is no more reason for dismissing her than for dismissing the young man who has no dependents, or the young man or young woman who is living at home. Married or unmarried, it is safe to assume that most people work for their living because they have no other means of support for themselves or others.” The Unemployed Use Their Power Out in Seattle, a city once best known to the members of the Ameri- can Federation of Teachers as the city where teachers could not belong to their organization, even the unem- ployed seem to be strongly organized. The Unemployed Citizens League, with locals all over the city, has been organized for the benefit of those un- fortunate people who are without either incomes or jobs. This League has been caring for its members the past winter in many ways. It has col- lected and distributed money, grocer- ies, clothing and other necessities. It has leased land from which its mem- bers have cut and sold wood used so generally in Seattle fireplaces. It has leased land upon which numbers of the unemployed will produce garden- stuffs in the spring and summer. The League has also interested it- self politically with the result that public relief for the unemployed is probably much more generous than it would have been otherwise. The political strength of these un- employed must be considerable as at the city elections held March 15 the candidate for mayor and the candi- dates for the city council who received their endorsement were overwhelm- ingly elected. No one opposed by them was elected. The unemployed in Seattle are showing intelligence in organizing for working out their problems. Possibly the unemployed could solve the eco- nomic situation that confronts the na- tion if they had the power. Certainly no other group is as vitally interested. And if there is not a turn in the other direction, they will have the power. In a democratic nation the majority rules. The unemployed in other cities are likely to follow the example of Seattle and a political movement of gigantic stature may be created to confound our political and business leaders. If those in authority do not or cannot correct the unemployment situation, the unemployed themselves seem to be likely to try their hands at it. The organization of the unem- ployed cannot fail to have one good effect. It will furnish a vigorous in- centive to those who are inclined to fear a huge political organization of the propertyless to solve the unem- ployment question without delay if they can do it. The organization of the unem- ployed on the scale that it seems to have been done in Seattle is a chal- lenge to those in political and eco- nomic power that must be answered, and soon. Vote for Education There always have been enemies of education. Just now they are coming to the front. They see in the cry for econ- omv an opportunity to wield an ax against education. They boast of the long distances thev walked to school. They ride to work in automobiles. At home they have all the comforts of this modern age, yet they want edu- cation to go back to the ox-cart times and the little red schoolhouse. These enemies of education want Memphis teachers to tear up their written contracts as worthless paper. They are demanding salary cuts for next year for teachers who never have been paid enough. The time has come for friends of education to stand shoulder to shoulder, to fight it out at the ballot box. This is going to be a crucial year. Get your poll tax receipt and use it. The money you pay for it goes for education. Your vote also can be cast for edu- cation. —Memphis Press-Scimitar. Seattle The. citizens of Seattle are to be congratulated upon the results of the school election held in that city, March 15th. John B. Shorett was reélected THE AMERICAN TEACHER as school director by an overwhelm- ing majority. and Judge Austin E. Griffiths was returned to the board after an absence of two years. The teachers and all the citizens as well are to be congratulated especially upon the election of Judge Griffiths who as a director three years ago dared to criticize the majority of the directors for including in the teachers contract a yellow dog clause which did not permit them to become mem- bers of the American Federation of Teachers, Since that time even these directors were enough ashamed of their con- tract to eliminate from it this year this infamous provision. The people of Seattle are also to be congratulated that none of the members of the board who submitted the yellow dog contract in 1928 will any longer be a member of the board of education of that most progressive city. With the action of the people of Seattle, the Congress of the United States and even the action of a reac- tionary board of education, the teach- ers of Seattle have complete citizen- ship rights. They have the right to join lawful organizations of their choice. Support the Schools The Illinois State Federation of Labor is opposed to the curtailment of the public school system. The atti- tude of the State Federation on this question was stated, in part, in the following resolution adopted at the Galesburg convention: Whereas, in periods of financial de- pression a hysterical wave of economy in governmental expenditure sweeps all communities; and, Whereas, such economies often seri- ously cripple educational services which it has taken many years to secure for the children in our schools; and, Whereas, the enforcement of such economies as increased size of classes, heavier teaching load, the curtailment of necessary educational services may have far-reaching results which it will take years to eradicate; therefore be it Resolved, that the Illinois State Fed- eration of Labor, through its educational committee, recommend unalterable op- position on the part of local commu- nities to the unwise curtailment of edu- cational opportunities and special school activities for the children of Illinois. Trade unionists everywhere should be on guard to safeguard the public school systems in their respective lo- calities.—JIl. Fed. of Labor Weekly News Letter. ‘Im- E. yard S as ally fiths ago the hers hich em- 1 of ‘tors con- year ople ated the dog be a n of e of lited reac- -ach- izen- it to their n of nt of atti- this 1 the the 1 de- nomy »s_ all seri- which e for such asses, Iment may will be it Fed- tional >» Op mmu- edu- chool hould yublic re lo- eekly Marcu, 1932 School Budgets However the national economy may vary or whatever fiscal adjustments may need be made, the very first ob- ligation upon the national resources is the undiminished financial support of the public schools. We cannot afford to lose any ground in education. That is neither economy nor good govern- ment. —President Hoover. * co * “The work of building up an effi- cient system of public education, as the Constitution of Pennsylvania as well as of other states demands, has required a century of constant effort and devotion of thousands of the best citizens who have consecrated their lives to the welfare of childhood. Education is our country’s first line of defense. It is the surest guar- antee of individual happiness and prosperity, and the best insurance against social and economic disinte- gration. We must exert every effort during this trying period through which we are passing to preserve the integrity of the public schools. To quote George Washington again: ‘In a country like this if there cannot be money found for education, there is something amiss in the ruling political power.’ ” —Governor Pinchot. ok * *” The 1932-33 school budget is now demanding attention. Sound budget- ary procedure is an all-important fac- tor affecting economy and efficiency in school financing. Where drastic reductions must be made, great care should be exercised so that there will be the least possible curtailment of educational advantages. Hasty and ill-considered reductions in school budgets may do harm to the education of children which can never be over- come, It should be remembered that the boys and girls who are now in school are entitled to this opportunity to secure their education. Whatever is eliminated for them at this time may be lost forever. Those responsible for the financial administration .of the public schools should keep in mind that while every effort must be made to balance bud- gets, nevertheless the following gen- eral principles are of vital importance as controls: l. The elimination of teachers or the increasing of the number of -pupils per teacher in general only serves to aggravate the existing unem- ployment situation. 2. The unnecessary reduction of sal- aries only adds to the reduced con- suming power of the local com- munity. 3. Wherever the resources of the local community make it possible, needed major repairs to existing buildings and the construction of needed new buildings should be undertaken in order to relieve the unemployment situation, and to secure for the district the advan- tage of existing favorable prices. 4. “Education is the goose that lays the golden eggs of prosperity.” Census experts inform us that our ‘ population will soon become rela- tively static. This means that business men must depend in gen- eral for the expansion of their business not upon more customers but upon bétter customers. Edu- cation, through the program now being developed in the public schools, especially in such sub- jects as art, music, health educa- tion, science, literature, citizenship and all the fine and practical arts, refines and creates new economic wants and demands, | It is this that makes the wheels of industry go round. From a business point of view we have not reached a con- dition of overproduction in educa- tion. 5. We spend annually probably not less than six billion dollars in in- surance premiums for protection against fire, death, disease and ac- cidents. Education provides at a relatively low cost social insurance essential not only to the develop- ment of the Commonwealth and Nation, but also to its safety and happiness. Education can be de- pended upon to make its full con- tribution to the developrnent of a stabilized prosperity for all— James N. Rule, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Pennsylvania. Seattle Sets an Example It has been the annual custom of the army officers to apply to the Seattle Board of Education for per- mission to appear before boys’ assem- blies in the high schools for the pur- pose of advertising the summer camps for boys of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. On the meeting of ‘the board held March 18th a remarkable protest was made against the use of the schools for this militaristic propaganda. The request of the officer for the right to appear was overwhelmed by an aval- 9 anche of protests from the Seattle Parent Teachers Association, local peace societies and last but not least from a number of representatives of the Seattle Unemployed Citizens’ League. One of the representatives of the unemployed, opposing this misuse of the schools for militaristic pur- poses, spoke most eloquently of the value of army camp life in character building leaving nothing to the im- agination. He had been in one of the camps when a high school student only a few summers ago and knew his stuff. The president of the board, Dietrich Schnitz, intimated that the unemployed were unAmerican, They just laughed. Many of them had been overseas and knew all there was to know about the moral and uplifting influences of army life. The most interesting feature of the whole affair was that the board denied the army officers the right to appear at the assemblies. They were given permission to visit the buildings after school hours and talk to boys who had written permission from their parents to listen. The boys’ advisers were not to distribute any literature and the of- ficers were not to wear uniforms when talking to the boys. The letter of protest of the Seattle Parent Teachers Association is repro- duced in full as it is one of the most constructive achievements of an or- ganization of that kind that has ever come to our notice. March 1, 1932. Mr. President and Members of the Board: In consideration of the request of off- cers of the National Army to speak be- fore assemblies in Seattle High Schools, the Federation of King County and Seattle Parent-Teacher Councils, representing 15,- 000 parent-teacher members, voted unani- mously in regular monthly meeting Feb- ruary 29th, that the following protest be presented to the Seattle School Board: his Federation respectfully asks that the following facts be carefully studied by members of your Board: 1. The National Congress of Parents and Teachers includes in its statement of fundamental purposes the following: ‘War between nations as a means of settling disputes is a crime against civil- ization. Let us build into the lives of children such ideals of justice, goodwill and co-operation as will lead to universal peace.’ Citizens’ Military Training Camps are established with the aim of popularizing military training and do not encourage in anv degree the above-mentioned ideals. 2. The National Defense Act, under which Citizens’ Military Training Camps have been established, does not authorize the War Department to conduct character education, nor education for citizenship, nor physical education, but solely military training for a clearly defined military pur- pose. 10 Citizens’ Military Training Camps, ac- cording to Major hex: Charles P. Sum- meral, seceeiily Chief of Staff of the United States Army, ‘do not directly serve to promote any military objective.’ They therefore fail to justify their ex- istence. 3. Major General Summerall does claim that the Camps ‘result in improve- ment of youth in habits, character, and ualifications for citizenship’, although this is not the avowed reason for their establishment under the Defense Act. | Regarding this claim, parents and citi- zens do not recognize the particular type of education given as having any real educational value, for teachers who engage in it are not — for the work either by professional training or by experience. Neither has the Federal Government made any provision for such training. iL fecaters themselves protest against such so-called education, as proved. by the fact that 300 of the foremost educators of our land signed the petition to the House Committee on Appropriations, han- dling the Wat Dept. Appropriations Bill, in Doe. 1932, with a view to keeping education and military training strictly separate, 4. Character-building organizations of the highest type, with a long record of high achievement, are already established, and do not entail the immense expenditures required to finance Citizens’ Military Training Camps. Reference is here made especially to the Boy Scouts of America and the Y. M. C. A. 5. The subject matter presented before High School Assemblies, as requested by officers of the National Army, is propa- ganda, and as such has no place in the public schools. lt is propaganda because only one side of the matter is presented, and for the purpose of drawing the students to one decision, whereas true education, which is the aim and purpose of our public schools, seeks to present both sides and leaves the pupils free to draw their own conclusions. 6. Students in High Schools are young and impressionable. When their patriotism is appealed to, they are willing in many cases to yield themselves. We believe that the highest type of patriotism is cultivated in the public schools, and we would wish to see it entirely and forever divorced from militarism. 7. The public press is always available for advertising the purposes and objec- tives of Citizens’ Military Training Camps, where those interested may read. Because of the above considerations, this Federation asks, with all due respect to the officers of our National pom that their request to speak before High School Assemblies, or otherwise disseminate military propaganda in the High Schools of the City, be denied by the Seattle School Board.” ’ Faithfully yours, (Signed) FAnny HANNAH, Secretary, Federation of King County and Seattle Parent-Teacher Councils. America never loses its sense of balance. While New York City is being glutted today with pornographic books, magazines, pictures and greet- ing cards, Monroe County, Tennessee, has passed a law prohibiting its school teachers from dancing. —Collier’s. Ousted Professor Gets. His Salary When the conservative Century Company brought out a novel “Cane Juice” by Prof. John Earle Uhler of Louisiana State University last. Sep- tember, nobody dreamed that it would immediately arouse one of the most significant issues of academic free- dom. It was attacked by a Roman Catholic priest in Baton Rouge who sent mimeographed copies of his de- nunciation to the press and to officials, He held that the book reflected upon the morals of creole womanhood and advocated “materialistic evolution.” Sensitive to such influential criti- cism, the university authorities en- deavored to get Prof. Uhler to resign, but he stood his ground, and was thereupon suspended. The Civil Lib- erties Union immediately offered its services to take the case to the courts —first, to sue for his salary, and sec- ond, to compel the university to grant him a hearing. Prof. Uhler declined to sue the priest for libel. Action against the university under Louisi- ana law is difficult because a public corporation ordinarily cannot be sued. The issue had not, however, been passed upon by the state supreme court in relation to the university. Just when the attorneys engaged by Prof. Uhler and the Civil Liberties Union were on the point of filing the suit, the university authorities sur- rendered. Condemnation of their ac- tion from all over the country had made its impression. The surrender did not reinstate Prof. Uhler, but it gave him his entire salary for the year. Legal proceedings were then dropped. Prof, Uhler’s case illustrates the in- security of tenure of professors at many universities, for he had only a verbal contract. Among other similar cases, it has inspired the American Association of University Professors to start a thorough-going inquiry into professional tenure all over the coun- try with a view to urging a uniform code. Wilisiin Citi ‘ts Keep Schools Open This week news dispatches from the capital of Arkansas tell of 36,000 rural children forced out of their studies by the closing of 756 public schools, and of the prospect that 1,200 more schools will have to close before spring because of lack of funds. THE AMERICAN TEACHER William J. Bogan When the tumult and the shouting dies and the debris of the depression is cleared away and we try to gather up what is left of the public school system of America, no one will be held in greater esteem than the super- intendent of Chicago’s schools. Mr. Bogan became the superinten- dent of Chicago’s public school sys- tem just about the time people quit paying taxes. When the tax muddle was so hopeless that tax strikes and court cases delaying payments were getting nicely started the depression struck. In addition the school system had been more or less headless for some time. What a break for a man beginning the big job of his success- ful career! Did these few little annoyances break this man’s morale and cause him to quit trying to keep Chicago’s schools in the first rank? Did these discouraging things make him an easy victim of the crew that is always ready to cripple the schools in the name of economy or any other ex- cuse? Did they cause him to follow the lead of so many subservient so- called educational leaders in recom- mending cuts in the curriculum or in salaries, or any other cuts that tended to lessen the efficiency of the schools? Did they cause him to collapse under tremendous pressure that is always brought to lessen the educational ad- vantages for the poor by the wealthy who do not need the public schools for their children? If you think they did, you don’t know the man. Considering the fact that the Chi- cago schools are crowded beyond be- lief, that the teachers get paid a little occasionally and never know when they will get another dole and that ordinary materials and supplies are things to be seen only in memory, the morale of the Chicago school system is almost beyond belief. The question asked by outsiders is always, “How can they keep going?” The answer is, “William J. Bogan.” Not a school door in Bledsoe Coun- ty, Tennessee, has opened this winter, and one-third of the schools of Ten- nessee will not be able to continue their term after the Christmas holi- days. —N. E. A. Bulletin. Gees eens ee ee, © eee ee Be ee -— = - 85 «st — bm ‘ing 10n her 1001 be er- ten- sys- quit Idle and vere sion tem for man eSs- nces Ause go's hese easy vays the ex- llow - $0- ‘om- yr in nded ols ? nder ways | ad- althy 100ls don’t Chi- 1 be- little when that ; are r, the stem stion How gan.” ~oun- inter, Ten- tinue holi- tin. | Marcu, 1932 Tenure for Teachers (Continued from page 5) ing from four years old up to twenty-four. For services as janitor and teacher I received the munificent sum of $25.00 per month out of which I had to pay my room and board. In order to draw this salary I carried a perfectly good second grade certificate. Many had only a third grade and many, strange to say but true, were given permits to teach who were not capable of passing an intelligent sixth grade examination. Yes, those were the “good old days” when we had no tenure laws to keep incompetent teachers in the schools nor induce- ments to attract good ones if they strayed past while out on a vocational peregrination, Low standards and low educational qualifications must always be the inevitable results of low wages and insecure tenure. The State of California points with pride to the high educational standards required for her teachers. They have been slowly becoming a professional group. This has been brought about by increased educational quali- fications which have been justified by a fair remunera- tion and some degree of security through a much abused tenure law. And now, the triumvirate mentioned above is in power and tenure the chief corner stone of the public schools is about to be removed. The rural sections of our country furnish a fertile field for the spread of anti-tenure propaganda. They have never been able to organize like the industrial sec- tions and have been patiently paying more than their share of the tax load. The situation has become so unbearable that any remedy which offers a present re- lief may be accepted. The most available target is the teachers’ salary. I say this not by way of criticism of the farmer, for there has been no class of people more generous with the public schools, but it is uttered as a warning that now is the time teachers should make intelligent contacts with the great labor groups, both agricultural and industrial. Since 1921 the teachers of California have been par- tially protected by a tenure law. Following its enactment all kinds of fallacious statements have been made to dis- credit its successful operation. Failing in this, school boards now openly defy the spirit of the law by dis- missing all teachers at the end of their probationary period. Evidently the Eighteenth Amendment is not the only law which is violated. There seems to be no limit to the specious statements made to fool the public and even the simple and unsuspecting teachers them- selves. Under the guise of doing something for the welfare of the public schools, we are told that tenure must be abolished for it retains incompetent teachers in the sys- tem. If such a statement was made only by a beginner who had never seen the old system we might overlook it and excuse it by saying, “He does not know any bet- ter.” People who should know better, and most of them perhaps do, reiterate it and get away with it as a plea for the welfare of the public schools. The writer has been teacher, principal and superin- tendent under the old system and knows the absolute falsity of saying incompetents were dropped out under such a system. Any one who would return to the old regime is a traitor to the teachers and the public schools. He who does not know something of the petty politics and graft which pervaded many of our public schools in the past should not be placed at the head of the schools 11 of the present. Hundreds of incompetents filled our schools and they were not removed for “the good of the schools.” Why? Yes, this is a rhetorical question for the answer is known by everyone. The same people are with us today and they remain for the same reason. Not incompetents would be removed but, in many cases, the very best, because they want the right to act like other citizens and as members of a real profession. If anyone desires interesting reading along this line let him turn to the National Education Association Re- search Bulletin, volume II, No. 5, November, 1924. Ex- cerpts from page 146 read as follows: “Those who are familiar with the situation believe that one of the greatest dangers that confronts the American public school system today is to be found in the attempts of groups of machine politicians, who seek to control and in many cases do control the local government in our large municipalities. These machine politicians attempt to control the administra- tion of the schools and use them for political purposes. We mean by this for the purpose of patronage spoils. Cases have been studied which constitute definite evidence of such attempts, only a debased and a debauched school system can result when one of these unscrupulous groups dictate the appointment of teachers in the interest of political spoils. “Irreparable damage to the youth of an unfortunate- city, when a spoils system prevails, cannot be avoided. This dam- age is infinitely greater than that which results from too drastic tenure law which Pa a portion of a teaching corps that has become out of date or superannuated. It is sometimes argued that tenure laws are failing because they do protect inefhcient teachers. Let it be granted that in some cases the do. Any parent with the American point of view and a full belief in American ideals would undoubtedly hold that his child were in less danger in a system where the teachers are pro- tected by a tenure law than where their appointment is con- trolled by a political machine.” No state, city or community can maintain and admin- ister a school system in the interests of its youth if its teaching body is subject to the dangers of political as- sault and professional murder represented by some of the cases of political dismissal studied by this committee. On the back page of this Bulletin is a quotation from an address made by E. E. Higbee before the National Education in 1887. That was in the “good old days” when those who spoke of the spoils system knew some- thing about what they were saying. The speaker said: “As long as a teacher finds that he must be regarded as a hireling, with no guarantee of remaining in office over a year, and with all the uncertainties of an annual election. before his vision—so long as he finds himself not connected with a pro- fession, properly so-called, he lacks one of the greatest incen- tives to professional study and is tempted to make his teach- ing not even a calling but only a stepping stone to some other work. Serious as is the injury to the teacher, still more serious is it to the children whom they teach.” Similar statements might be multiplied ad infinitum but those who need to hear them most seldom do unless the information comes from the ranks of those who op- pose us. If education in the United States is not to entér into a period of decadence it will be necessary for the teachers of this country to stop and do a little think- ing for themselves, It takes more than a pink tea party where we can listen to some abstract nonsense, to make us professional. Only when we have established a pro- fessional wage and have secured some certainty of tenure can we make any claim of belonging to a profession. TENURE MUST COME and it will only come through the united efforts of the classroom teachers of America. If you are not willing to make’ a sacrifice for the estab- ’ lishment of an educational profession and the protection of our public schools against political domination, you will sooner or later find yourselves victims of that sac- rifice. 12 THE AMERICAN TEACHER ———- BOOKS “There is no frigate like a book To bear us lands away.”’ ® e @ —Emily Dickinson Mitt SHADOWS By Tom Tippett “I wish that all of our members could be brought to turn aside from their own intensive drive of the pres- ent time, against forces which are continually threatening, to the con- sideration of the great industrial menace which threatens us all. “The common enemy is clearly outlined in ‘Mill Shadows’ and like. | wise the slowly but steadily grow- ing social resolve of mental minds to do something about it. The road to be traveled is a long one, but it may be shortened by such dramatizations as Mr. Tippett has given us.” Henry R. Linville. \___ eee Lasor CULTURE IN THEORY AND PRACTICE Some time ago Mrs, Hanson asked me to write a review of Tom Tip- pett’s When Southern Labor Stirs and a report of the Ninth Annual Confer- ence of Teachers in Workers’ Educa- tion held on Washington’s Birthday at Brookwood. My alibi for altering this assignment seems to me very good. Reviewers more capable than I of judging our fellow A. F. of T. member’s picture of conditions in the southern textile mills and the recent protests of the workers there have al- ready warmly commended * When Southern Labor Stirs (Cape and Har- rison Smith $2) for its realistic sur- vey of exploitation and the disturb- ing failure of the trade unions to come to the aid of their brothers fight- ing desperately against heavy odds. But valuable as this book is in its factual approach, Tom Tippett by ef- fectively dramatizing the Marion Massacre in his play Mill Shadows has provided a more effective means of awakening the workers and the general public to the grim tragedy which marked the bitter path of trade union organization in North Carolina. The presentation of Mill Shadows was the high spot of our Teachers’ Conference this vear. In 1931 workers’ education was celebrating its tenth anniversary and the Conference tackled the necessary job of retro- spection and evaluation of what had been accomplished. (The printed pro- ceedings of that Conference are now available from Local 189, Brookwood, Katonah, N. Y., 50c.) This year we planned to get reports only on what was new and significant in the work since last February and then to devote the main sessions to Labor Culture. It was as an example of this that Mill Shadows was given by the Brookwood students in their theatre made from a converted barn. A decidedly upward swing in work- ers’ education during the last year was made evident by the reports. In .ad- dition to enlarged activities, new pro- jects were detailed as in Tacoma, Wash., Lawrence, Mass., Boston, and Utica. In all, representatives of 21 local projects, nine full-time or sum- mer schools and six national organiza- tions described their activities to the record attendance of 41 educators. The urgency of unemployment and other social problems had narrowed the dividing line between forums, de- bates and meetings, and formal classes meeting regularly on a given sub- ject. Lots of new ideas and demands for new classes but too little cash to follow them up. Committees were appointed to continue the collection of available teaching material which had aiready resulted in the production of an exceedingly useful mimeographed list cf syllabi and books (15c from Local 189). The correlation of mail- ing lists, available teachers, lists of classes and provision for closer co- operation in the work of the field rep- resentatives were also undertaken, In view of the hard times prevailing it was encouraging to see so many peo- ple anxious to come. The reports were so varied and the time so over- crowded that speakers had to be con- tent with brief summaries to be ex- tended in the written record. The proceedings will also contain interest- ing papers read on Labor Culture. Labor drama, sport activities, rec- reation, chautauquas, speaking and singing choirs, study circles and libra- ries as they have been developed in the United States and in other coun- - tries were fully treated. It was felt that the emphasis of workers’ educa- tion: would rightly continue to be upon its aid to the workers in their organ- ized industrial and political struggles . insecurity of and thus upon study of the social s¢i- ences. However, even the limited leisure of the workers under capital- ism should be spent in a distinctive way, not building up individual hob- bies and personal “escapes” and merely absorbing current culture, but developing group self-expression and contributing to a new Labor culture. If the Labor movement does not pro- vide for the workers’ leisure and rec- reation, the capitalists will strengthen their hold. Only the studious minor- ity would be touched if workers’ edu- cation confined itself to economics and social history. A well-rounded Labor movement would have to cater for all the needs of the workers. Much of the current talk about education for leisure is fatuous, dangerous and distracting unless the workers are aided to win leisure freed from the unemployment and helped to use that leisure won in a dis- tinctive way. In the drama, for example, it was felt that Mill Shadows could never be a success in the ordinary theatre but that workers would accept it with open arms. The play follows the course of action in the Marion strike of 1929 and was written out of deep impressions those events made upon the author as a participant. The scene ‘opens in April when the textile work- ers, alarmed by the installation of the stretchout system, determine to call in the union organizer. Three scenes follow in June, July and October to mark the progress of the strike from almost light-hearted excitement to grim determination when the soldiers are brought in to break the strike, and to rebellious disillusionment after the compromise settlement has been fla- grantly broken by the mill owner. The most dramatic moment in the play is the massacre, where the mill superin- tendent, aided by the sheriff and his drunken deputies, shoot into the mass picket line at the mill gate after the workers are blinded with tear gas, and kill six of the workers outright. A scene between the governor of Carolina—a liberal, kindhearted but wéak—and Judge Herring, a “prac- tical politician,” gives way to the simple tragic funeral of the murdered men in the field where the strike mect- fn 2 oO. fee se ome "nA oer Th =p ss _ —? ER 1932 MaRCH, ings had been held. The play ends on a note of hope with the workers, though they are evicted from their homes and their leaders sent to the chain gang while the sheriff and his deputies go free, determined to “fight again in the spring, when the sap comes up in the trees.” There is a wealth of social and eco- nomic material in the play. The con- flict between the mountain whites of Scotch-English stock and the genera- tion of factory workers is represented by Granny, the staunch old rebel, who says: “We should-a stayed up yander in our hills where we wuz free” and Jimmie, later to die in her lap bleed- ing from the deputies’ bullets, who is “goin’ to stay right here and git a hautomobile an’ see some of the coun- try.’ Granny is all for direct action, and when scabs are moved into the village, she and the other mountain women “toted their stuff out onto the road and told ’em to load it up and tote it back where they come frum!” —an act for which four men are later sent to the chain gang. Granny tells the judge, “Bring on your sojjers!” when boss-planted dynamite blows up an old mill shed and so furnished an excuse to break the hitherto peaceful strike. Granny wants to shoot the sheriff (and nearly does) when the affable but weak village storekeeper whom the mill folk elected as their friend becomes the tool of the mill. In the end she is ready to go back to the hills with “Piney Strike,” the baby whose mother was killed by the cotton mill’s grinding toil, but hearing Larry, the strike leader on his way to the chain gang, proclaim his faith in the ultimate courage and victory of the workers, determines to stay and fight on. But if the younger generation was at first reluctant to believe with the old mountain woman that “the law air agin the common people,” they soon came to realize it and to achieve a labor solidarity voiced by young Jimmie to the superintendent—“We don’t go out by ourse’f no more; we're all stickin’ together now.” The grinding poverty of the mill workers, the long hours and low wages, the niothers burdened with home cares, working in the mill to add a little to the weekly rations of corn meal and fat meat, the subservience of the church and the law to the cot- ton mill’s power, the transformation within one generation from the free simple mountain life to the dreary mill village—all these are woven into the play. Yet Mill Shadows is not a mourn- ful play, nor a preachy play. In the net of social drama Tom Tippett has also caught the salt, sardonic humor, the wry, philosophic courage, and the deep, inarticulate emotions of the southern mill folk. What When Southern Labor Stirs does in the realm of fact and reason, Mill Shad- ows does in fact and feeling. We at Brookwood are so convinced about the effectiveness of this play that we plan to sacrifice a fortnight of our school term in mid-April to tour it in New England and points south to Washington. If our plans come through that will be another story —Mark Starr. America’s Way Out By Norman Thomas New York: The Macmillan Company 324 pp. $2.50 Mr. Norman Thomas has done a great task for American socialism and American socialists, though of doubt- ful value to doctrinaire Marxists. In his “America’s Way Out: A Program for Democracy” he restates the funda- mental tenets of socialism in a style and in a manner that the average American who runs can read and digest. “America’s Way Out” is not a pompous study nor bombastic nor sci- entific.. If one expects to find therein a circumspect exposition of the phil- osophy and history of socialism or the forecast of the socialist society in practice, he will be disappointed. For Mr. Thomas shuts his eyes to the fu- ture. It is. uncertain. It is unpre- dictable. What the future of social- ism holds in store for us no one knows and no scientific socialist would care to foretell. But as a restatement of the im- mediate reforms in the socialist pro- gram and as a rehearsal of the social- ist critique of modern capitalism, it nobly lives up to the task, it is lucid and convincing, and as yet has no compeer on the American scene, What then is wrong with capital- ism, and, particularly, with American capitalism? Thomas is ready to ad- mit that we have made remarkable progress in the United States, techni- cally and technologically, and no sen- sible person would now entertain the thought of halting the wheels of prog- ress. In addition to the discomfort of low wages the American worker is beset by yet greater evils: the insecur- ity in industry, the insecurity on the job, THe Specter oF UNEMPLOY- MENT. Three forms of un- 13 employment, seasonal, cyclical, and technological, harass the worker throughout his life. And the so-called freedom of the American worker whereby he is obliged to bargain for a job in the economic domain 1s a sor- rowful mockery. And complementing the insecurity of his job, the American worker, to- gether with all the workers of the capitalistic world, faces the continu- ous uncertainty of life and limb, the SPECTER OF War. War is inevit- able in capitalist society, based as it is on an industrial economy with goods produced for profit and not primarily for the public good. Capitalism produces a surplus of goods, which low-paid workers can- not consume, hence the necessity for other markets. Few capitalist coun- tries are so ideally situated as to, be within control of adequate supplies of raw material, hence the ever-present necessity for new sources of raw ma- terial. Every capitalist country has a surplus capital which must be in- vested, hence the necessity for prof- itable outlets for surplus capital. All the foregoing conditions must prevail in one degree or another if capitalist economy is to subsist, and if they can- not be obtained by peaceful means they are to be had by force. And the result is, IMPERIALISTIC FOREIGN Poxicies and War. What then is the solution for the evils of capitalism? Thomas thinks America’s only way out is socialism. He does not give us a beatific picture of the socialist millenium nor does he give us a cure-all formula for all hu- man evils. But he does give us a graphic presentation of the important reforms advocated by the groups of socialists he represents, by the means of which they hope to eliminate the more serious evils of present-day so- ciety. Foremost of all, socialism will aim to abolish poverty. Next in im- portance, socialism will try to trans- fer control of industry from a par- asitic few who wallow in luxury at the expense of the poor to the vast class of producers. ' Third in im- portance, socialism will substitute the emoluments of service to society for the present material honors. Y How can these changes be effected ? Mr. Thomas does not approve of war or revolution. Both are unnecessary at this stage of human civilization. Mr. Thomas maintains that interna- tionalism can be taught just as ef- fectively as nationalism is being im- parted to the populace now, and peace 14 can be made as effective as an eco- nomic and social instrument as war and revolution are now. He points to woman suffrage as an illustrious example of an important social reform being achieved by the methods of peace and education and not of war, revolution and bloodshed. Mr. Thomas is opposed to communists and other schools of dictators for their stressing of force and dictatorship in their social programs. He finds ample proof in the annals of human history of the superi- ority of peace and persuasion over brute force, and he is convinced that socialism today can be realized through the instrumentalities of edu- cation and propaganda, through dem- ocracy, and not through revolution and tyrannical dictatorship, And so Mr. Thomas puts ballots above bul- lets, strikes above riots, peaceful non- cooperation above revolts and military skirmishes. In socialist thought Mr. Thomas holds Marxism inadequate for modern times and not conterminous in social- ist theory and practice. In proof of that Mr. Thomas points out the fail- ure of Marx’s forecasts of the early downfall of capitalism, of increasing misery of the workers, etc. He also points to the phenomenon of the Bol- shevist Revolution in Russia as an in- validation of the economic prognosti- cation of Marx. And so Mr. Thomas prefers to follow the school of social- ist revisionists and adopt tactics and methods necessitated by the individual industrial requirements and historical background of each capitalist state. And, accordingly, Mr. Thomas poses a socialist theory and program that conform to the economic, social and juridical condition of the national scene of the U. S. How can socialism be brought about in the U. S.? In the political field. We must have an inviolable condition of free speech and press. The anom- aly of the Electoral College must be abolished. Presidents and Vice-Presi- dents should be elected by direct pop- ular vote. The power of the judiciary must be curbed. What sense is there in ad- vocating for years good reforms, have them passed by both Houses of the Congress and then have them nulli- fied by a picked group of men in the Supreme Court? The need of the hour is the curtailment of the dicta- torial power of our higher courts. In the industrial field. A careful monthly survey of unemployment must be instituted at once. We know accurately the number of pigs in the country, why not of the number of our unemployed? Non-profit, pub- lic employment agencies must be established at all pivotal points of industrial America and the job and the job-hunter brought effectively to- gether. To obviate the horrors of un- employment, long-range planning of public works must be introduced; an ingenious system of unemployment in- surance effectively applied; and the introduction of inventions and tech- nological improvements should be rigidly controlled with a view to the welfare of those men and women af- fected. Mr. Thomas would install no new machine until adequate provision is made for the workers to be re- placed. Though it is not essential for the Socialist Party to be in control of the state machinery in order to have the foregoing legislation enacted and their fiats scruplously applied, it is unthink- able, however, that the social and eco- nomic reforms of the socialist pro- gram would be instituted without a socialist party at the helm. For, in the words of a witty Frenchman, whom Mr. Thomas quotes, both major parties in the U. S. are like the two department stores of Paris, the Louvre and the Bon Marche: “both selling the same sort of goods to the same sort of people.” Or, as Mr. Thomas would have it qualified, both advocating capitalism and guarding its system from destruction. Hence, the Socialist Party must fight for conquest and victory under independent colors, and once at the helm, it would proceed in gradually socializing and nationalizing indus- try by many forms of taxation, such as land taxes absorbing the rental value ; heavy taxes on incomes and in- heritances; franchise taxes; and others. The surplus obtained would be returned to the public in the form of many improvements in their ma- terial and social activities, In the foreign field, the Socialist Party would strive to abolish all re- strictive tariffs, substitute free trade, and reach an understanding with the governments of the world for interna- tional control of the allocation of raw materials, for the management of communications and waterways, for the interchange of money and cur- rency, for the control of the move- ments of trade and population In the national field, the Socialist Party would strive by might and main to abolish ‘the incentive of profit and private gain in all walks of life and THE AMERICAN TEACHER enthrone in its place the spirit of so- cial service and public function. —Michael B. Scheler. New Lazsor PAMPHLETs Issuep A series of unique pamphlets on the labor movement is being published by Brookwood Labor College, the school for adult workers located at Katonah, N. Y. These pamphlets are not academic, theoretical discussions but are full of vivid pictures of the labor movement in action. They should be of interest to the experi- enced labor person as well as to the worker who is hearing about the la- bor movement for the first time. Their purpose is to develop greater under- standing of the movement and deeper loyalty to its ideals. One pamphlet, “What a Union Did for the Coal Miners,” shows how the coal miners built a new life for them- selves through united action. “Im- portant Union Methods” and “How a Trade Union Is Run” describe unions at work—in local meetings, on the picket line, at the conference table, at conventions. Somehow the author manages to make the story live and the language is the workers’ own, so none will have difficulty in reading it. Believing that unions will wish to buy these pamphlets to give to their shop chairmen, etc., or to sell to their members, Brookwood is offering spe- cial rates for bulk orders. The pamphlets are practical and authorita- tive. The author, K. H. Pollak, has drawn on the wide labor experience of other members of the Brookwood faculty, such as A. J. Muste, Tom Tippett, J: C. Kennedy, and David J. Saposs, who edits the series. The treatment in “Our Labor Movement Today” clears up many points for the person who wants a concrete, understandable description of the differences in policies and tac- tics among the conservative, progress- ive, and radical groups in the modern American labor movement. The fifth pamphlet shows that workers should be interested in the government be- cause it touches their lives at every point, The pamphlets now ready are: “What a Union Did for the Coal Miners,” 15c. “Important Union Methods,” 15c. “How a Trade Union Is Run,” 20c. “Our Labor Move- ment Today,” 35c. “Why Bother About the Government,” 10c. Write Brookwood, Katcnah, N. Y. for orders or information on bulk rates. ———— 65 + —— — Ae =e AS a aia i ee ee QO, = Ss he al & HER f so- er, ED s on shed the d at S$ are sions ' the They peri- » the e la- Their ider- -eper | Did vy the hem- “Tm- Ow a nions . the le, at ithor - and n, so ng it. sh to their their - spe- The yrita- , has ience wood Tom id J. uabor many nts a ption | tac- rT eSS- »dern fifth hould t be- every Coal Jnion Jnion [ove- other Y. for Marcu, 1932 All Over the World Unpaid Jewish Teachers in Palestine Go on Strike Six hundred unpaid teachers in Jewish schools under the auspices of the Jewish agency for Palestine went on strike through the country. About 23,000 school children were let out of school. Teachers Paid Less Than Wage Earners A majority of teachers in city school systems in the United States are paid salaries lower than the aver- age annual income of all gainfully em- ployed persons, according to a survey conducted by the National Education Association. This low pay basis ob- tains despite the fact that educational salaries have been raised during the past two years. Out of 301,000 teachers, the Asso- ciation points out, more than 164,000 received less than $2,000 annually, which is the approximately average income of all gainfully occupied per- sons in the United States. Ministers’ Union Forty ministers of New York City and vicinity have organized a Minis- ters’ Union, open to Protestants, Catholics and Jews. Its purpose is to voice belief in the essential justice of labor’s cause and to seek the social and economic application of religious principles. The secretary is Rev. Lloyd Imes, 242 East 14th Street. Berwyn Drive Lags; 7 Schools Remain Closed The prospect for reopening seven Berwyn schools in district 100, which were closed a week ago for lack of funds, still appeared remote yester- day. In north Berwyn, the five schools of district 98 are still functioning. Two of the schools, the Lincoln and the Havlicek, are operating on funds raised by pupils and others. The parent-teacher associations of those schools have raised a fund of $400, from which the teachers are allowed to draw small sums. The plan will be extended to the other three schools, William J. Hawks said. He is sup- erintendent of the district. Teachers Again to Get Half-Pay College Lacks Funds to Meet Salaries in Full “I have no reason for believing that teachers and officers of Tennessee State Teachers College will receive their full salaries any month of the current school year.” J. W. Brister, president of State Teachers College, made that state- ment Monday morning. “However,” he added, “by extracting money from one pocket and putting it into another pocket, the 40 instructors, officers and business staff will be paid the ‘custom- ary’ half salary Feb. 1.” The entire college staff will have been on half salaries for five consecu- tive months starting with September and including January. Instructors in the college normally make a maximum salary of $3,600 per annum, five-sixths of which is paid during the nine-month session and the rest during the summer quarter, and a minimum of $1,800, payable in the same ratio as the maximum salaries. Unless state appropriations are made and delivered before the college year closes, some teachers will receive only $900 this year. —Memphis Press-Scimitar. Uphold Teacher’s Right to Free Speech By a five to four vote, the school board of Detroit has refused to dis- miss Professor Walter Bergman of Detroit Teachers’ college because of a speech in opposition to military training which he made before the local chapter of the League for In- dustrial Democracy. Dr. Burt R. Shurly, a member of the board, termed Bergman’s speech “seditious” and asked that he be re- moved. The school board at first re- fused to act on the matter, holding to the opinion of School Inspector Ed- ward H. Williams that teachers should have absolute freedom of speech out- side the classroom. Continued agitation of local “pa- triots” led by Dr. Shurley resulted in an open hearing, after which the five to four vote upholding Professor Bergman was taken. Teachers Fire Shot at Tax Association D. W. Parratt, executive secretary of the Utah Education Association, has mailed out letters to its member- ship in which it declares the “primary purpose of the Utah taxpayers’ asso- ciation is to bring about conditions whereby the principal members of the association will continue to be ex- empted from paying any more taxes than possible in our state, and that they are now endeavoring to use the farmers of our state as a cat’s paw in furthering their plans.” Ask Questions Mr. Parratt in his circular -also urges the teachers to write to the tax- payers’ association asking such ques- tions as the following: “By whom are the members of the governing body of the association selected or elected? By whom are the policies of the association formulated? By whom are the resolutions which are passed out to various so-called county tax- payers’ associations worded and dis- tributed? From whom does the as- sociation get the full amount of money needed to employ its. secretary and field workers, to publish and mail its official organ, and the like?” —Utah Labor News. Great Britain — Salaries of Teachers The present scales of salaries are so framed as to give to women teach- ers approximately 80 per cent of the salaries payable to men. These scales are due to terminate in March, 1933. Before this date, the Burnham com- mittee, the joint committee of teach- ers and education authorities respon- sible for teachers’ salaries, will under- take the task of formulating new scales. At these negotiations pressure for equal pay for men and women will be exerted, The movement for equal pay will stimulate the movement for allowance for dependents. Already the London School of Economics has granted equal pay to the men and women on its staff, together with substantial al- lowances to married men for each child receiving education, under the age of 23. (Christian Science Moni- tor, Feb. 16, 1932.) 16 United States — Salaries of Teachers The Office of Education of the De- partment of Interior has attempted to show in a limited way what the financial opportunities for women en- tering the profession of college teach- ing are as compared to those of men. In 1928 the Office of Education made a survey of 50 selected institutions known as land grant universities and colleges and an analysis has now been made of the salary data collected at that time. According to the results of the in- quiry, women entering college teach- ing in these particular universities and colleges appear at a distinct disadvan- tage in the salaries received by them as compared with men, Comparisons were made in five academic ranks, that of dean, professor, associate pro- fessor, assistant professor, and in- structor. Women were found to re- ceive a lower median salary than men in each of these academic ranks, the difference increasing with the increase in rank, The difference between men’s and women’s salaries in each rank was as follows: Dean, $1260; professor, $558; associate professor, $402; as- sistant professor, $265; instructor, $71. For all women teachers, irre- spective of rank, in these 50 institu- tions the median salary was $800 be- low that of men teachers.- (Salaries of College Teachers: Comparisons, by John H. McNeely, Division of Col- leges and Professional Schools, Office of Education, in School Life, Feb- ruary, 1932.) Can’t Fire Teachers for Getting Married, Indiana Court Rules Indianapolis, Ind—The Indiana Supreme court has held that a school board has no authority to dismiss a teacher because she is married. The decision was made in an appeal brought by the Elwood school board from a ruling of ‘the Madison county Circuit court ordering the board to re- instate Mrs. Mattie Griffin, Mrs. Grace Doerman, and Mrs. Mary L. Records., These women were dis- charged as teachers in February, 1931, on the ground they were married, —Chicago Tribune. Salary Increases in Russia U. S. S. R., the Soviet Union, has recently raised the salaries of all teachers 35%. British Teachers Protest Pay Cuts Following the sailors who mutinied against pay cuts, thousands of teach- ers turned out in London for a huge demonstration against their wage cut. British bosses fear the cops and sol- diers will also revolt. Manifesto Issued by the Joint Committee of Teachers’ Associations in the Transvaal The attitude of the Joint Commit- tee, representing all the teachers in the Province, towards a reduction of salary and leave is one of vigorous opposition with all constitutional means in its power. In defining this attitude, the teach- ers demand that they shall be dealt with on the basis of equality with other citizens, and not on the basis of reduction in their standard rates of salary merely because their earnings are easily accessible to the Adminis- tration. The salary scales of teachers have been continually reduced during the last ten years. If the Province realizes the effect of the Cabinet’s decision to reduce subsidy, it is improbable that Parlia- ment will approve of the reduction, and the official reason for reducing salaries will have been eliminated. Our education system is one that can only be maintained at the peak of prosperity. The teacher has been continually called upon to maintain it by reductions in salary scales, If it must be maintained in its present form, it is a burden that should be shouldered by all the people in the Province. Teachers claim to be dealt with bv the Administration in accordance with the principles of justice and equity. The Joint Committee will use every legitimate weapon at its command to secure such treatment for teachers. Lake Forest School Board Cuts Teachers’ Pay 10 Pct. The board of education of Lake Forest voted a 10 per cent reduction in teachers’ salaries. The action was conditional upon similar reductions by the city council, the library board.. and park boards. The library board and the park board already have voted 10 per cent salary cuts and the city council, is expected to do so at its next meeting. THE AMERICAN TEACHER Eligibility of Married _ School Teachers When the school board acts on the question of continuing or abandoning its rule against employing married women teachers it will have before it not only the views of Parent-Teachers associations and other agencies closely identified with educational work in Mobile county, but a survey report on the practices of all states of the union. Dr. John O. Rush, president of the board, announced yesterday that he has addressed a questionnaire to the state superintendents of education of the 48 states asking their opinions on the question and the prevailing policy in their respective states. Dr. Rush has intimated that he is doubtful of the wisdom of departing from the present school board rule, but said: his vote on the question prob- ably will be guided largely by the re- sult of the country wide inquiry he is making to determine the predominant sentiment and practice with respect to employing married women teachers. The information to be assembled in the survey also will be made available for consideration by all members of the board. The board voted Wednesday to withhold a decision on the subject pending inquiry among all Parent- Teacher associations of the county for their views. Several have adopted and transmitted resolutions to the board advocating abandonment of the rule, the movement for which orig- inated in the Mobile County Teachers’ association. Because of the further information the board is seeking on the subject it is considered improbable the question will be settled for a month or longer. —Mobile Register. Mt. Carmel Teachers Must Shun Tobacco and Liquor New contracts which teachers for the next term in Mt. Carmel, Ill, are required to sign con- tain a provision that the teachers will not smoke or indulge in intoxicants in “private or public places” and that they will commit no misconduct which would “bring disrepute” upon the school district. Members of the school board admitted there had been some comment in regard to the acts mentioned in the new contracts which were committed by one or two women teachers during the last term which prompted them to vote the new re- quirements. .) FF. wa ss hell ee \ ers the ing ied e it ers ely in on on. the he the of on licy > is ing ule, ‘ob- re- e iS ant t to rs. 1 in able of to ject ent- inty ted the the rig- ers’ tion t it t1i0n ger. 4 uor mel, ‘on- will ants that hich the the een acts hich men hich re- 1932 MaRCH, 150 Teachers in Jail; Planned ‘Payless’ Parade Approximately 150 school teachers, men and women who planned a march to Mexico City as a protest against not having been paid for months, were in jail in the penitentiary at San Luis Potosi, and protesting telegrams were showered upon President Ortiz Ru- bio, Gen. Plutarco Elias Calles, and Narcisco Bassols, minister of educa- tion, Word received here said the teach- ers are being held incommunicado by the state government at San Luis Potosi as a result of their announce- ment that they intended to march the 300 miles to Mexico City to demand their pay. Teachers’ Organization in Japan The first step has been taken by Japanese school teachers toward main- taining their standard of living by concerted action, at a moment when financial difficulties of many towns and villages have caused or threatened reductions in the salaries of primary school teachers. Eighty-five organizations have al- ready been federated in a national as- sociation but this has not had suffi- cient control over the member groups to enable it to represent the interests of all primary school teachers, These number about 200,000. At the last conference of the primary school teachers it was decided to establish, throughout the country, organizations of teachers engaged in compulsory education under the direct control of a National Federation of Primary School Teachers. Waukegan High School Trims Teachers’ Pay The Waukegan High School board cut salaries approximately 20 per cent in employing teachers for the 1932- 33 school term which opens in Sep- tember. The cuts range from 5 per cent for salaries under $1,500 to 28 per cent for Supt. John W. Thalman, whose pay was reduced from $9,000 to $6,500 a year. The reductions will save $52,575 on next year’s budget. The teachers’ salaries this year total $267,100. The Waukegan Taxpayers’ Association had recommended that “nonessential” courses, such as music, domestic sci- ence and manual training, be elimin- ated from the high school curriculum, but the board ignored the recom- mendation, hiring the teachers in those branches for the new term. —Chicago Tribune. Teachers’ Conditions Cuts in salaries, payment months in arrears, closing down of schools and the consequent increases in un- employment are familiar features of the crisis in all capitalist countries. In Chicago 14,000 teachers have not been paid at all since April, 1931. In Newfoundland a cut of 30 per cent has been imposed. The economy com- mission includes cuts in education un- der the heading of economies in non- essential services. A large number of children remain illiterate owing to lack of school accommodation, while teachers are unemployed. In Sas- katchewan 8,500 teachers have had a 35 per cent cut, and many of them have had arrears due to them for 5 or 6 months. A large number of rural schools have been closed for the win- ter months or for an unspecified peri- od, and replacement by correspond- ence courses is being discussed. Irregularity of payment is also a feature in Ceylon and parts of /ndia. For instance in the English School (Hindu) of Calcutta the teachers’ pay is 14 months in arrears. A further 10 per cent reduction has been pro- posed in Jreland, which means a total reduction of 16 per cent on the scales obtained as a result of years of agita- tion. 700 teachers in Jerusalem pro- claimed a one-day strike as a result of the rejection of their petition for payment of four months’ salaries which are due to them. The Bulgarian Government proposed to shut a large number of schools, and to cut out of the budget expenditure on school repairs and salaries, leaving already bankrupt local authorities to deal with the situation. On paper the new government of 1931 raised teach- ers’ salaries, but at the same time made 10 per cent reduction for pen- sion, raising the pension age to 60 so that few should have a chance of obtaining a pension, and deducted 10 per cent from all unmarried teachers with more than six years’ service. Those with less than this had an even greater reduction. There are over 4,000 teachers unemployed, and for every post at least ten unemployed ap- plicants are available. A clash with the police resulted from an invitation to teachers to apply for vacant posts in Bucharest. When the thousands that applied found the kind of lodg- ing they were offered in the barracks, and that there was no hope of work even for those who had waited three years, they decided to demonstrate in the center of the town. The police 17 attacked the demonstration. Strike action was decided upon at a Confer- ence of the National Federation of Teachers, in spite of the fact that militant teachers have been dismissed in large numbers and the federation is purely reformist. Polish educational grants only allow for a small fraction of the needs of education. Many schools are in rooms rented for the purpose, or in wooden huts or tumble-down build- ings, yet grants for building cannot be obtained. No increase in the number of teachers is allowed for, in spite of the fact that elementary education is supposed to consist of a 7 year course, yet actually only 1.6 per cent of chil- dren in country districts go to a 7 year school, and in the whole country only 8 per cent of the schools have 7 year courses, while 50 per cent have 1 year courses, 20 per cent 2 year courses and 8 per cent 3 year courses. The children of twelve national mi- norities, which form a third of the school population, have an added handicap that Polish is the language of the schools, whereas previously in Ukrainia both Polish and Ukrainian were used. The Educational Worker, London, Eng. Educates 100,000 India has more than 10 million in school today. She has 18 universities, educating more than 100,000. British Students Urge Drastic Minimum Cut University and college students of Great Britain, Germany, the United States and elsewhere are moving for- - ward unitedly and with growing strength in their campaign for dis- armament and world peace. More than 20 British universities, headed by Oxford, Cambridge and London, have already completed forms—signed by captains of sports clubs and leaders of intellectual groups — urging the British Government to work for at least a 25 per cent all-around decrease in armaments. This body of young opinion will be presented to the Gov- ernment shortly. —-News-Chronicle (England) Pay of Teachers Cut as Glencoe Schools Reopen Effective with the reopening of Glencoe’s elementary schools, teach- ers of those institutions will accept a 10 per cent salary cut. The schools were kept closed after the Christmas holidays for lack of funds. 18 Public School System Shaken as Panic Holds Rural schools throughout the south are in danger of not opening at all next year, unless teachers and bus drivers are willing and able to work without money. In Mississippi, the state ran out of funds for rural schools when the nom- inal 8-months’ term was a little more than half over. Some drivers of school buses quit when their pay stopped ; others stayed on the job and were paid only for oil and gas. Teach- ers generally have continued teaching, but very many have had no pay ex- cept board and lodgings which fami- lies furnished. In some districts, school buses have been replaced by private autos. Recalling the days when a student at Harvard College arrived leading a cow tu pay for his tuition, students at Louisiana State University have been paying some of their tuition in cotton. South Carolina education authori- ties are $1,000,000 in debt to their school teachers, and the sum is mount- ing. In several Georgia counties, the school funds have run out and closing is imminent. In Florida a number of Negro rural schools have already closed. Alabama and Texas have been paying school salaries since Novem- ber in scrip, which may some time be redeemed. Pay Cuts in Lawrence, Mass. Police and school teachers have or- ganized and retained counsel to fight a proposed 20 per cent pay cut in Lawrence, Mass. Perhaps they will be more successful than the mill workers whom they opposed last fall. —Kern Co., Cal., Labor Journal. Teachers’ Pay Cut Hit by Springfield, Mo., Unions Delegates from the Springfield Central Trades and Labor Assembly met with the city school board to pro- test against a proposed 10 per cent salary reduction for school teachers. P: 2sident R. T. Woods of the State Federation of Labor, who led the group, told the board that if the bud- get of the schools must be cut the re- trenchment should be made in other directions sufficient to maintain the present living standards of the teach- ers, “Every time wages are cut, busi- ness gets worse,” Mr. Woods said. “I do not care what economies we may practice, but it is not fair to the teach- ers to cut their salaries.” Teachers Face Ten Per Cent Pay Reduction Suspension of Automatic Salary Increases, or Wage Slash, Inevitable, Assert Directors Seattle’s 2,500 teachers and other public school employes are faced with the almost certain prospect of a pay cut of at least 10 per cent. Two plans have been suggested. One is for a horizontal 10 per cent cut and, in addition, the temporary elimination of the automatic salary increase system, under which the pay of every teacher whose work is satis- factory goes up $100 a year until he or she reaches the prescribed maxi- mum—which ranges up to $2,700 a year. Under the other plan, the automatic increase system would continue in ef- fect, but there would be a 15 per cent cut in salaries, This plan, it is esti- mated, would save between $750,000 and $800,000, as compared with about $600,000 under the other. The cut, as contemplated, would af- fect everyone on the payroll, from Supt. Worth McClure down to the first-year teacher drawing $1,100. —Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Pupils’ Loans Aid Teachers Berwyn school childrens’ nickels are keeping the wolves from their teachers’ doors. William Hawks, superintendent of school district 95 in the suburb, said today that voluntary loans made by pupils in five schools had built up a sizable loan fund. The teachers, unpaid for two months, may borrow $10 at a time from this fund and yesterday Hawks supplied teachers with a total of $150 from it. The children are given receipts for their contributions, which range from. 5 to 50 cents, and will be repaid when the teachers collect their salaries. There are 2,400 pupils and seventy- five teachers in the district. —Chicago American. The teachers’ council of the Madi- son Assn. of Public School Teachers has voted to take a 1l-week vacation without pay in order to save the city of Madison $26,989, but it has re- fused to accept the recommendation’ of Supt. R. W. Bardwell that the teachers’ salary schedule be tempo- rarily suspended. The school depart- ment faces'a $75,000 budget cut. —Montana Labor News. THE AMERICAN TEACHER Teachers Advised to Employ Expert to Study Duluth School Budget The pruning knife of the tax re- ducers threatens the salaries of Du- luth school teachers, the most useful and important persons in the public service. Any city may get along some way with incompetent city councils and administrators, but when the teaching staff of the public schools is impaired, its baneful éffect will reach beyond this and coming genera- tions. Striking at the salaries of school teachers hits at the roots of the public school system. What the Duluth school adminis- tration needs more than anything else is a thorough study of the school board’s budget by independent school experts to determine where economies may be made without reducing the salaries of teachers. The Teachers’ Association would do well to finance such a study. Its members should know that it will take more than an- other war to compel higher salaries after they once shall have been re- duced. —Duluth Labor World. Free Textbooks Denied Night School Students The legal adviser of the govern- ment of the District of Columbia has decided that night school students can not have free textbooks because night schools are not specifically mentioned in the free textbook law recently en- acted by Congress. The law was urged for many years by the trade union movement of Washington. La- bor leaders believed the phraseology was comprehensive enough to include all schools whether night or day. Undernourished School Children Faint at Desks During the course of a long speech in the Senate in advocacy of the La- Follette-Costigan relief bill, Senator Costigan read into the record a state- ment made recently in Baltimore by Dr. David E. Weglein, Superinten- dent of Public Instruction, who said that it was not unusual for undernour- ished school children to faint at their desks. Costigan also read a letter from the Baltimore Family Welfare Associa- tion, which stated that in only eight of the 23 Maryland counties were there organized social agencies and that as a result of the depression the morale of rural families was being broken. See as orn |&IThn os er, ne bw I on a) ee ee FN OD mu emeaeOSa ae OO ah DD me ~~, 2 ere + & © noe a+ a [TER get re- Du- eful iblic ome 1cils the ools will era- the inis- else hool hool nies the ers’ ance ould an- ries re- 2ech La- ator ate- » by ten- said our- heir the cla- ight vere and the ping 1932 MARCH, News from the Field California State Federation of Teachers On Saturday, February 20th, the California State Federation of Teachers held its regular semi-annual meeting at the City Hall, San Francisco. Besides reports from Sacramento and San Francisco locals committees on tenure, publicity and salaries were ap- pointed. The resolution adopted by the - Francisco Labor Council was read Mr. Charles A. Simonds and on his © cca was approved. The resolution demands that the teaching load and sal- ary schedules of teachers be maintained at levels compatible with the best in- terests of the children within the schools and that any saving in the cost of school maintenance be made from the overhead chargeable to special de- partments and supervision. The following officers were elected: President—Paul J. Mohr, San Francisco (re-elected). Secretary—Mrs. Anna C. Dart, Camp- bell. Treasurer—A. V. Wilde, (re-elected). State Organizer—A. J. K. Dupuy. Vice Presidents—Con Davis, C. Simonds, James W. Gardner. After the régular business had been attended to, Mrs. Hanson was asked to speak. She outlined her plans and hopes for the California State Federation of Teachers, expressing her belief that Cali- fornia presents the greatest opportunity for expansion, and stressing the point that the moment was then propitious for an active campaign for membership and the establishment of new locals. The luncheon was a most enjoyable affair with the genial Mr. John G. Mc- Glade, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, acting as “toastmaster.” Mrs. Hanson broke her usual attention to strict business to answer in kind Mr. McGlade’s comments on her home town, but reverted to a discussion of the press- ing need of teacher unity throughout the United States. Assistant Superintendent of Schools David Hardy outlined San Francisco schools needs which included, especially, a new high school and certain additions to other schools. Messrs. Wilde, Sim- onds, and Dole paid the respects for their various locals and after the re- ports of committees, appointed in the morning meeting, the luncheon was ended in a general discussion of school problems. Again the California State Federation of Teachers wishes to express its thanks and to acknowledge its debt to the American Federation of Teachers. Its aid in sending Mrs. Florence Curtis =, to California was most timely. Hanson was a true prophet from a far country. San Francisco, as well Sacramento as the state in general, has been passing through the most critical period of her school history. The widespread demand for economy, the weight of the depression, coupled by an insidious public press attack had dis- couraged all but the leaders of the few locals that have weathered the storm; but with the coming of Mrs. Hanson to San Francisco a new spirit has been en- gendered; hope has revived; a re-awak- ened interest sprang to life, and many cities called for the charmed voice, the magic touch of our National Executive Secretary. A chronology of her speeches, con- ferences and meetings will tell, as no descriptions can, the story of her work in Texas and California; and the results will sound, a clarion call, to the teachers of America to take hope and declare themselves for the struggle to save the American schools. It is not only that the increased teacher loads, cutting and curtailment of salaries and the despera- tion of the unemployed endanger the welfare of the profession; but also, as Mrs. Hanson has often said, so elo- quently stated, the very life of the school system is threatened. It was this mes- sage that brought many teachers to the realization of the many problems per- taining to the schools, and the reception of the appeal found its answer in de- mand of those not in the Union for membership. The secret of Mrs. Hanson’s power rests in her profound conviction that the solutions of the problems must be found by the teachers themselves; that no magic can call forth, Minerva like, a resplendent power that will blast the darkness and in a flare of glory save the foundation of American democracy—the school. The heralding of the belief that within the intelligence of the teaching body solutions would be found, fired the imaginations of all who heard her speak and at once resolutions were prepared, programs arranged and means to effect their consummation undertaken. There is no one in the American La- bor movement who commands greater respect than does Mrs. Hanson. Her presentation of the teacher’s point of view finds a ready accord in all Labor Councils where she may speak. The teachers of California are beginning to realize that they must look to Labor for necessary support. The ideals of the great mass of the American teaching profession is identical with the ultimate aims of Labor. It is only necessary for these two great forces to unite. The one striving to better mankind’s condi- tion through its aid and support; the other, to educate the child of today to realize his duties as the citizen of to- morrow. WARREN TELFER. Chicago Unions Locals 2, 3, 199, 209, 224 and 237 The Chicago Unions are carrying on a gallant fight in the face of the greatest difficulties. It is only by their protest and action that the Chicago schools have been saved from drastic changes which would curtail their efficiency almost ir- remediably. The officers are spending devoted hours in the service of their fellow teachers and the schools. The membership of all the unions is growing as the teachers realize this service. The Union Teachers Credit Union has done fine service in relieving cases of acute distress. The Group Health and Accident In- 19 surance has proved a very great help in time of need. The Chicago Union Teacher is pub- lished monthly. It tells the Chicago story. If you do not get it, write to the office of the Unions, Room 523, 506 S. Wabash Avenue, Chicago. St. Paul Locals 28 and 43 The Joint Council of the Federation of Women Teachers and the Federation of Men Teachers of St. Paul have been dis- cussing with the Commissioner of Edu- cation and the Superintendent of Schools the following problems: (a) An interim day for grade schools to finish the clerical work and re-organize the school without pupils present. (b) The amount of detailed work in con- nection with penmanship awards in ad- dition to academic work and the cost of such awards to pupils. (c) The additional work to kindergarten teachers entailed by the term reports on pupils, (d) The report cards both in grade and junior high school with the character marks, the effectiveness of which is uestioned. (e) The difficulty of enrolling the new kin- dergarten class under present plan. These conferences resulted as follows: (a) The Superintendent sent out a notice granting one hour on Friday, Feb. 5, at the close of the day for reorganization of the school. (b) The Department is checking on the amount of work entailed in penmanship awards and the cost of penmanship diplomas. (c) The kindergartners are asked to review and change their present reports to sim- plify them. They are to be given time for the enrollment. (ad) The report cards of grade and junior high schools and the battery tests will be discussed at subsequent meetings. Sacramento Local 31 Local 31 is making an intensive study of the taxation problem with a view to developing a plan for lightening the tax burden on property owners. A series of three talks by experts on taxation have .been arranged by our program committee. At the last meeting our local listened -to Mr. Rolland A. Vandegrift, California State Director of Finance. Mr. Vandegrift does not approve of any change in the existing system, but urges reduction of school costs as well as of other state expenses. In this respect he and Mr. Walter Morgan, Assistant State Superintendent of Schools, who delivered the first talk of the series, are very far apart. Mr. Vandegrift also assured us, apparently with pleasure, that the California Teachers’ Retirement Fund is not actuarially sound and that © probably most of us will never reap any benefit from it. The welfare committee reported five new members added since the previous meeting with hope for others. An effort is being made to bring back former members who have dropped out. Mrs. Hanson paid us a brief but stimulating visit on February 26. MARGARET MOORE. Memphis Local 52 The depression has reached Memphis and has taken its toll from the Memphis teachers, but it can be truthfully said that it might have been much worse if it had not been for the teachers organ- ized into Local 52 of the American Fed- eration of Teachers. 20 The Memphis teachers were notified that they would not receive their De- cember salary because of lack of funds. It was suggested by the Board of Edu- cation that the December salary should be donated to the city, in other words that the teachers cancel the month’s obligation. Under the leadership of Local 52, the teachers refused to give up their month’s salary and were paid in “scrip” which was accepted by the Memphis merchants and by the banks as security for loans. The Board asked the teachers to ac- cept a salary cut of fifteen per cent for a period of three years. Local 52, real- izing that the Memphis salaries were already too low even in times of depres- sion, appealed to public opinion through advertisements in the daily press. A very favorable reaction was received to this appeal to save the schools from the deterioration such 2 large salary reduc- tion would entail. The teachers were supported by the public and editorially in vigorous style by the Press-Scimitar. After considerable delay, and after sev- eral payless months, the teachers were informed that “the financial interests and all other parties interested” had come to an agreement about the cut that was made in teachers’ salaries. As the teach- ers had not been consulted and had not come to an agreement, it must be in- ferred they were not interested parties. A meeting of the teachers was called Friday afternoon just before the close of school and the proposition was sub- mitted to the teachers for an immediate decision. The chairman refused to con- sider a motion to allow the teachers any time to.consider the matter or hold a meeting of their own to discuss it. After considerable immediate discus- sion of the matter the teachers, many of whom felt they could no longer wait for salary checks which were apparently not to be forthcoming without favorable action to the board’s proposition, voted to accept the month’s cut in pay each year. The only redeeming feature of the sit- uation is that the whole body of the Memphis teachers seem to appreciate the fight that was put up by Local 52 in the face of a very discouraging situation. San Francisco Locals 61 and 215 The Secretary Visits Us A glance at the itinerary of Mrs. Flor- ence Curtis Hanson’s western trip will convince one that the short time allowed her was used to the utmost advantage. So full were her days and so insistent were the demands upon her time that even social functions were devoted en- tirely to the discussion of subjects relative to her mission in San Francisco and the conditions facing teachers throughout America. She arrived late Sunday evening and was met at the train by H. P. Dole president and J, M. Klinger, secretary, both of Local 61. Monday was spent in secretarial work. In the evening a lengthy conference was held with officers of Local 61 at the home of Mr. Klinger. One of the most successful meetings was held Tuesday afternoon. Mrs Hanson spoke to the faculty of Polytechnic High School, Her discussion was listened to with great interest and many teachers ex- pressed their desire to affiliate themselves with Labor. On the same evening a dinner and conference was held with members of the San Francisco High School Associa- tion. Tuesday morning a trip was made to Monterey where Mrs. Hanson attended a Labor Conference at 1 p. m.; at 3:50 appeared at a High School meeting and at 7:30 spoke at the Monterey Labor Coun- cil. After the Council meeting a conference was held with Mr. Wayne Edwards. On February 18th and 19th, after her return from Monterey, Mrs. Hanson spoke at Presidio and Portola Junior High Schools as well as at the San Fran- cisco Labor Council Friday evening, besides holding special conferences. Saturday was devoted to the California State Federation of Teachers. In the morn- ing the meeting of the California State Federation of Teachers was held at the City Hall, San Francisco. Mrs. Hanson spoke at both the morning meeting and at the luncheon that followed. Although the 20th was Sunday a con- ference on publicity was held after dinner at Mr. Manuel Jacob’s and Washington’s Birthday was celebrated by a dinner given by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Simonds that was attended by such leaders as H. P. Dole, P. J. Mohr, and J. G. McGlade. On Tues- day was scheduled a tree planting at Mission High School and an invitation to speak at Horace Mann Junior High School at 3 p. m. The latter was canceled for half-day vacation. At 4:p.m. a meeting was held at which the ground work was laid for the organization of a grade teachers local. In the evening Mrs. Hanson spoke at a meeting sponsored by Local 215 that was well attended by representative teachers. Early Wednesday morning Mrs. Hanson left for Taft and Bakersfield where a series of meetings had been scheduled. From Bakersfield Mrs. Hanson returned to Chicago, but stopped over at Sacramento and Reno, Nevada, and also for a week of meetings in Utah. WARREN TELFER. Milwaukee Normal Local 79 The Milwaukee State Normal College Local 79 reports an increase in mem- bership and a bright outlook for future gains. The Association is taking an active part in the effort to arouse public senti- ment in favor of disarmament. A generous contribution to the or- ganization fund evidences the lively in- terest of the Local in wide-spread na- tional organization. Milwaukee County Federation of Teachers The Locals of Milwaukee County have organized the Milwaukee County Feder- ation of Teachers with the program of informing the unorganized teachers of the country regarding the policy and service of the American Federation of Teachers. ‘Dr. Colin G. Welles, Thiens- ville, Wis., is the secretary. THE AMERICAN TEACHER Atlanta Local 89 The Atlanta school system finds itseli in the situation universal throughout the country, that is, threatened with cuts and curtailments in every department. The Journal of Labor carries headlines “D ath Blow to Schools Seen,” “Parents See De- struction of Schools,” “Other City De; .art- ments Get 10% Cut; Education (Gets Crumbs.” The mayor’s finance sheet calls for a cut of about 27% in funds for schools and 10% in ali other city departments, Even if such important adjuncts of the school system as the night schools, kinder- gartens, etc., were abandoned, the schools would still be pressed for funds with which actually to keep open the regular graded schools, it is pointed out. In comparison with the many alarming situations the schools of Ailanta have pre- viously faced, it is said, the present situa- tion of the department of education is the most precarious it has ever occupied. Tho unsuccessful in its effort for the recall of the mayor, the Atlanta Federation of Trades has not abandoned the schools, but is carrying on a militant campaign against this 27% cut in the schools allot- ment, which it regards as the greatest penalty ever inflicted on the city and the welfare of its people. Commonwealth Local 194 It is cheaper to come to Commonwealth College, residential labor school at Mena, Ark., than to remain unemployed, accord- ing to Lucien Koch, director, in an an- nouncement stating that 100 young men and women can be accepted as students beginning with the winter quarter, De- cember 28, or the spring quarter, March 28. No one is unemployed at Commonwealth, for teachers and students work for their room and board while carrying on academic work. Overalls are always correct dress at Commonwealth. The college performs its own communal tasks and raises most of its own food on its 320-acre farm- campus in the Ouachita Mountains. A School for Labor “Workers who have plenty of enforced leisure right now can put that spare time to good use in studying the causes of their idleness and remedies for it,” Koch says. “Commonwealth is one place to do your studying. An independent, non-factional school, it sponsors the utmost freedom of thought and discussion. “The only tests for an applicant are intelligence, willingness to work and study and an interest in the labor movement. No entrance credits are required and no degrees are offered. Students earn their own room, board and laundry by 20 hours’ work a week and have the rest of their time for study, reading, and recreation. The only fee is $40 per quarter of three months for tuition, or less than the cost of a flop-house existence. “A faculty of 12 offers courses in ¢co- nomics, sociology, history, psychology, !a- bor journalism, effective writing, argu- mentation, labor law, social philosopliics, labor history and foreign affairs.” FP in oh Go Gh tee a ok Oe ee ee gine aun ee ae, oe, “ee st ~@*e wee = OS ot ee —_—tnrt, —- = oe —-—p oO Oo "ow HER elf in the ; and rhe death » De- part- f Gets - hools 1ents. f the nder- hools vhich raded ming pre- situa- s the r the ation 1¢ ols, paign allot- atest 1 the 4 ‘ealth lena, cord- 1 an- men dents De- +h 28. ealth, their lemic dress corms most farm- orced time their says. your jonal ed ym are study ment. d no their ¢ urs’ their ation. three cost eco- y, la- argu- hes, F 1932 MarkcaG, Portland Local 111 The Portland Teachers Union Local 111 has done yeoman service in seeking to prevent drastic salary cuts and in protecting the teachers from infringe- ment of the tenure law. The Portland teachers are showing their appreciation by joining the organization that is giv- ing them protection. In s ing of their work the Portland News-Telegram says, “With a calm rea- sonableness that has often been conspic- uous by its absence in the discussions of the school directors, these teachers state again the fundamental principle that ‘the schools are conducted for the benefit of the children’ and protest against a forced retirement of all mar- ried teachers or any hasty, drastic action that would disrupt our entire school organization.” The radio talks on educational and economic questions, sponsored by the Portland Teachers’ Union, in November and December, met with such an en- thusiastic response that another series has been arranged. The new program given every Sunday over Station KWJJ is as follows: M. W. Howargp, Principal of Franklin Gram- mar School—January 24 Child Labor and the Depression GERTRUDE GRAVES MARTIN—January 31 Gandhi and the British Government Dr. HaRRY . LarpLer, Author and Econo- mist of New York City—February 7 The People’s Fight for Electric Power Georce B. Nosig, Professor Political Science, Reed College—February 14 The Crisis in Manchuria Dr. Louris AWBREY Woop, Professor of Eco- nomics, U. of O.—February 41 ore t rao eo - Joun P. O'Hara, University 9 regon, Ex- tension Division—February 28 Isolation, a Vanished American Ideal MARSHALL N. Dana, Associate Editor Ore- gon Journal—March 6 Chair-Warmers Ben T. OsBoRNE, Executive Secretary Oregon State Federation of Labor—March 13 The Folly of Lower Taxes . H. M. Barr, Associate Director Department f Research, Portlani FPublia Schools— March 20 The Aborigine Looks at Modern Education At the February luncheon of. the Union, Dr. Harry Laidler, Executive Di- rector of the League for Industrial Democracy, gave a very enlightening talk on Concentration in Industry. After the meeting many of the teachers lingered to ask questions of Dr. Laidler. The effort made by the School Board to have the Portland Teachers take a voluntary cut in salaries failed because the teachers’ organizations presented a united front against it. The Board then ruled a forced cut of approximately twenty-five per cent for next fall. As a result of the Tax Conservation ommission’s action in cutting from the School Board’s budget the amount al- lowed for sick-leave substitutes, teachers who are absent are to have the substi- tutes’ pay deducted from their salaries. Teachers’ load has also been increased recklessly. No new teachers are being elected, and the enrollment in some classes has been increased forty per cent. Miss. May Darling, former president of the Union, was elected Vice-President of the State Federation of Labor after a very exciting and close campaign last fall. Needless to say Union members are very proud of Miss Darling’s suc- cess. Cambridge Local 195 The Cambridge Federation of Teachers is working to secure a cumulative sick leave rule. It is taking an active part in the work of the state legislature, es- pecially in opposition to the bill giving the city council power over the budget which limits the power of the school board. ’ The Federation is also cooperating zealously in the unemployment drive. ANNA L. P. COLLINS. Washington Educational Union gee 198 Among those members present at a Luncheon-Meeting at the Hotel Burlington, Washington, D. C., were Richard S. Har- vey, President, May P. Bradshaw, Secre- tary-Treasurer, John W. McDill Fox, Dean of Law School of Catholic University, F. A. Woodward, Principal of Holdsworth Gorden Junior High School, Maude E. Aiton, Principal“of Americanization School, Mrs. Raymond B. Morgan, Irma Hock- stein, Mrs. Richard S. Harvey; and among the guests were Rev. Francis J. Haas, Di- rector of National Catholic School for So- cial Service, Selma M. Borchardt, Profes- sor and Mrs. Grant and Louise McGuire. The topic for the meeting was: “Jnter- locking of Social and Legal Approaches to Current Life Problems”. On this subject Dean Fox, the speaker of the occasion, delivered a thoughtful address, stressing the need of facilities for “Americanizing” our native-born citizens by opening for them opportunities to benefit by the same cultural advantages in education now freely offered to the foreign-born. This stricture was not directed toward all our govern- ments, state and municipal, for the Speaker commended Wisconsin as highly progres- sive in the direction of increasing its man- power through adult education, while among our cities Cleveland received spe- cially honorable mention. Hitherto the District of Columbia has lagged behind those communities that are pronouncedly forward-looking in their edu- cational policy, since it must be admitted with regret there is an unspanned gap between the night-school and the assured right of grown-ups to engage in similar studies within usual school-hours. At pres- ent a construction more ingenious than ingenuous may admit of broadening the educational system of the Capital City and letting in the adult as a day-time student; but dependence on such a slender thread as this seems a condition unworthy of the federal city of a great nation, and Con- gress will be asked to afford relief by ade- quate legislation. Chicago Elementary Local 199 The Elementary Teachers Union, in the face of the most trying crisis in the history of Chicago schools, has had a notable year of achievement. In May, 1931, the vigorous protest of the Elementary Teachers Union against econ- omies recommended by the Cleveland Audit Company was effective in preventing the discontinuance of so-called automatic in- creases, (an annual saving of $800,000 in 2) teachers’ salaries), and in opposing the in- creased size of classes. This was a fight made for teachers in the lower salary group. The parade of teachers on Michigan Avenue in July and the conference with Governor Emmerson in the Stevens Hote! to protest against non-payment of salaries was started by the Elementary Teachers Union and an account of the demonstra- tion with pictures appeared in all the large cities.of the United States and in the capitals of Europe. Later, in July, a meet- ing arranged by the Elementary Teachers Union in Victor Olander’s office resulted in a hearing before Governor Emmerson's Revenue Commission. The Elementary Teachers Union was the first teacher organization to request that such a hearing be arranged. In January, 1932, another con- ference with Governor Emmerson was held in Springfield at the instance of the Ele- mentary Teachers Union. Representatives of the Union have con- ducted an active campaign to obtain pay- ment of teachers’ salaries in cash. The two weeks pay received in February, 1932 resulted from a protest by 199’s president to the Mayor, who promised, during the conference, that teachers in the future should share with other city employees in the use of city funds for payment of salaries. The appointment of a permanent sub-committee of representatives of the City, Board of Education and attorneys for teacher organizations, to furnish sonal ers with accurate information on the finan- cial condition of the city, was a forward step. A representative has been active on several committees of the Chicago Fed- eration of Labor, among them the Schools Committee, Radio Frolics Com- mittee, Radio Committee and the Labor Day Celebration. During the year, Local 199 joined the five other locals in publishing “The Chicago Union Teacher” of which all union members may be justly proud. During this trying situation the ad- vice and able assistance of Ex-Senator Essington has been of untold value both in preventing unwise action and in rep- resenting the cause of the Union in an effective and dignified manner. His work, more than that of any other in- dividual, has been responsible for the establishment of the Conference of At- torneys for Teacher Organizations. A répresentative from Local 199 has at- tended these conferences, held on an average of once a week since last Oc- tober and sometimes lasting until mid- night. In the Stadium Mass Meeting. TO KEEP THE SCHOOLS OPEN, and in the legislative session, notably in the passage of Senate Bill 14 (the Kelly Bill), representatives have been active. The work of the Elementary Teachers Union was recognized by the other Chi- cago teacher unions in September, 1931, when its president was elected Chair- man of the Joint Board of the Teacher Unions. During the summer vacation, fourteen meetings of the Joint Board were held. During the school year, meetings are held twice each month, on Sunday, from A.M. until 2 P.M., when the Board adjourns to attend the meetings of the Chicago Federation of Labor until five o'clock a: , The Union is still confronted with a serious situation. More and more teach- ers must rally to the cause. More and more members must contribute service to the organization. The Elementary Teachers Union has among its member- ship some of the most able teachers in the Chicago schools. These teachers are urged to contribute their best to the cause of Unionism, to the establishment of democracy in the schools. AGNES B. CLOHESY, President Grand Forks Local 205 The Grand Forks Teachers Federation issued and presented to the Board of Edu- cation in February An Investigation of Taxes, Teachers’ Salaries and Allied Ques- tions. With very complete figures and tabula- tions the Federation showed that any de- crease in salary is unnecessary, unjust to the school and the teacher, and unjustified on any basis whatsoever. The survey pointed out various econ- omies that had been made and could be made without serious detriment to the schools. The report works out carefully and com- paratively the saving to the taxpayer and the loss to the teacher. A section on “The Teacher and Her Wage” presents a comparison of living costs and salary, of teachers” wage with that of other workers, and a statement of teacher expenditures. The educational ‘efficiency of the schools is examined and proved to be excellent. The Teachers’ Committee on Taxes and Salary making this study were T. O. Sweet- land, chr.; Grace Greenwood, Mabel Nei- meier, Lawrence Hanson, Walter M. Loomer, and W. C. Todd. Chatham County, Ga. Local 207 The Chatham County Teachers Asso- ciation Local 207 has just won a spirited fight against a 10% salary cut. The Savannah Board of Education an- nounced after its meeting on January 4 that all principals, senior high school teachers and higher officials, that is all those in the educational department making over $1800 a year, would be cut 10% beginning the first of February. The Chatham County Teachers Asso- ciation Local 207, as soon as its watchful president, Mrs. May W. Cain, had word of this action, got busy and started the fight which prevented the cut. The Savannah Trades and Labor As- sembly and Mr. George L. Googe, A. F. of L. representative, did valiant serv- ice in the teachers’ cause. Mrs. Cain says, “We could not have done anything without them. It was because of the affiliated Association that the fight was made.” She also adds, “Public opinion, the superintendent, principals, and all think it is due entirely to the Teachers Association which started the fight that the cut was not made.” The members of Local 207 are real- izing as never before why they belong to the Chatham County Teachers Asso- ciation, Local 207 of the American Fed- eration of Teachers, affiliated with the American Federation of Labor. Because of her vigorous leadership in this struggle, the Association has insisted upon the continuance in office of its president. Mrs. Mav W. Cain Voorhis Local 210 Voorhis Local 210 has nearly finished an investigation of conditions among school children in the district. It has interested all sorts of people, principals, teachers, and welfare workers, in the children who are coming hungrv to school and the means taken to relieve them. The findings of the study are being published in the Voorhis school paper, together with a constructive pro- gram for providing free meals for the children. The paper will be widely dis- tributed in the San Dimas district. The work has at least stirred up con- siderable interest in the problem and good is sure to result. H. J. VOORHIS, Secretary Wilkes-Barre Local 211 These are troublous times for teachers as well as other workers in Pennsylvania, but the Pennsylvania locals can report some progress. The teachers in Wilkes-Barre have had wonderful support from the Central Labor Union and appreciate it deeply. The members of the Educational Com- mittee of the Central Union are co-op- erating in every way to help increase the membership in this local. Some of the unions in Pennsylvania which have not prospered for various reasons are being reorganized with the help of the other unions. Local 211 brought suit against the school district for two weeks salary due on the 1929-1930 contracts and has won the case. Salaries have not yet been paid but the teachers have been told that the district will pay without hav- ing to be served with an execution of judgment. School had been started two weeks late in September, 1929, through no fault of the teachers. The board wished to deduct two weeks salary al- though the teachers had given five more than the one hundred eighty days re- quired in a district of this class. All the teachers, or practically all of them including those not belonging to the union, have agreed to help finance the costs of the court action. In the campaign for membership and organizing new unions, the radio has been used effectively and will be used again in connection with labor programs. With the help of the other labor unions, Local 211 and the other Penn- sylvania locals expect to report much progress in the near future. Jenkins Twp. Local 225 On March 7 Jenkins Township teachers observed the first anniversary of their affili- ation with the American Federation of Teachers as Local 225 with an enjoyable dinner and interesting program at the Hotel Redington, Wilkes-Barre. There were present about 100 mummies and guests. James A. Dillon; president. acted as toastmaster. Other officers and active members gave talks on: the past year’s work and plans for the future. Music and impersonations supplemented the program. THe AMERICAN TEACHE, Minneapolis Men Local 238 The Minneapolis Federation of Men Teachers, Local 238, has completed its organization and adopted its . program of action. Its representatives on the Trades and Labor Assembly and on the Central Committee of . Teachers have been chosen. It is devoting its first efforts to build- ing the membership. It has initiated a campaign of personal interviews with eligible teachers on the basis of one school at a time. Two schools are or- ganized 50% and 75% and a third is now being approached with good results. It is expected that Local 238 will be a majority group. The local situation in the school is not entirely encouraging and the need of organization is increas- ingly recognized in our jurisdiction. Tri-County, Wis. Local 240 On December 15 about 150 teachers of Outagamie, Calumet and Winnebago counties, Wisconsin, met at the Voca- tional High School, Appleton. By in- vitation Secretary Hanson addressed the group on “The Need of Organization.” A genuine interest and enthusiasm was expressed and a charter applied for. The new organization got off to a good start with a representative mem- bership and fine leadership. We are especially pleased at this ex- tension of membership in Wisconsin. Positive Health Committee Plans Include Partial Surveys The promotion of health, physical and mental, in the public schools of America has for some years been of vital interest to the American Federa- tion of Teachers. In the National Conventions of 1929 and 1930, strong resolutions were introduced. In the 1931 convention these again received attention and a national committee was appointed to carry out the pro- visions of the resolutions. The A. F. of T. Committee on Positive Health consists of Bertha Ferguson, Minne- apolis; Ruth Hardy, Brooklyn; Flor- ence Clark, Chicago; Katharyn Tschi- da, St. Paul. Miss Ferguson writes the American Teacher as follows: “We hope at least to make a beginning this year. We realize how vast a field is this one of health in the public schools, and we plan to include as an important part of the year’s work a survey as compicte as our time allows of what has already been accomplished in four important fields —health teaching in the public schools, the services of the American Association of Visiting Teachers, the National Committec for Mental Hygiene, and the Child Guid- ance Clinics, first established as demon- strations by the Commonwealth Fund of New York City. “We also plan to supply the yr Teacher with book reviews and short ar- ticles dealing with physical. and mental health. We may submit some suggestions which we hope affiliated locals may find helpful. We shall be glad to hear at the 1932 convention that every local does some- thing for the positive health of its school or community. «& — = ~/~. = —“™* Oo = Cot oS OT =m me HEk 38 Men sd its gram 1 the n the have build- ted a with one € or- , now is. ill be lation aging “reas- . 10 chers ~bago V oca- y in- d the on.” 1 was for. f to mem- S eX- in. veys sical ls of n of lera- ional rong 1 the >ived ittee pro- \. F. ealth inne- Flor- schi- rican nning is this and part iplete ready fields 5, the m of nittec Guid- mon- id of rican ‘t ar- rental stions find t the some- chool es — MakcuH, 1932 News of Our Members Secretary Hanson spent the month of February on an organizing trip which included El Paso, Texas; Bakersfield, San Francisco, Taft. Monterey, Vallejo, San Jose and other California places; Reno, Nevada; Sali Lake City and Provo, Utah; and Den- ver, Colorado. President Linville addressed the an- nual meeting of the National Society of College Teachers of Education in Washington, D. C.,° February 19. Former president Mary C. Barker represented the American Federation of Teachers at the South Central La- bor Congress which met at Meridian, Miss., April 4, 5 and 6. Among the more important subjects discussed at this conference were: Ways and means of stimulating em- ployment; Expansion of organizing activities in this group of states; Anti- injunction Legislation; Payment of Prevailing Wage Scales on Federal Projects; Legislative Relief and La- bor Laws; Combating Communism and Company Unions, Former president Charles B. Still- man is chairman of the Joint Confer- ence Committee of Chicago teachers organizations. He has led the fight for pay days and against salary and school activity cuts so ably as to evoke the admiration and gratitude of the educational force and to win the re- spect of his opponents. Vice-president Amy A. Fox, Min- neapolis Local 59, is secretary of the Salary Committee of the Central Committee of Teachers of Minne- apolis. Vice-President Lefkowitz was one of the speakers at the National Voca- tional Guidance Conference in Wash- ington on February 16. His topic was Labor, Vocational Education and Vo- cational Guidance, We hope to print this address in a later issue. Miss Mary Hicks, Bainbridge, Ga., A. F. T. member-at-large, is promot- ing the Five Day Plan of National aexation. Write to her for particu- ars, Mrs. RK. B. Whitworth, financial secretary Atlanta Local 89, for nine years principal of the Fair Street School, became principal of the Tenth Street School at the opening of the new term. Mrs. Florence Curtis Hanson, Chi- cago Local 3, is a candidate for trustee of the University of Illinois at the coming election. At a breakfast meeting on Feb 19th, during the annual conference of the National Vocational Guidance As- sociation held in Washington, D. C., Florence E. Clark, member of Chi- cago Local 3, discussed the project, which she had been engaged in during the past year at the request of the national assocration, the preparation of a book on THE PRINTING TRADES AND THEIR Workers. This is the first of a series of occupational pamphlets and books, sponsored by the National Vocational Guidance As- sociation, and intended for the use of vocational advisers, personnel work- ers, and others doing guidance, throughout the United States. Miss Lillian Herstein, Chicago Lo- cal 3, gave two addresses before the Oakland County Teachers Institute at Pontiac, Michigan, February 13. The topics were, “The Role of the School in Contemporary Society” and “Edu- cation for Peace.” Miss Herstein also gave these two addresses at the Macomb Teachers Institute, Mt. Clemens, Michigan, on February 15. Dr. Richard S. Harvey, president Washington Local 198, has recently taken over the directorship of Harvey Institute located at 2129 Florida Ave., N. W., Washington, D. C. The In- stitute offers preparation under a staff of trained instructors for Foreign Service and the Executive Depart- ments of the Federal Government. Lucien Koch, Local 194, director of Commonwealth, will visit Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, St. Louis and possibly Kansas City in late April and May. Friends of Commonwealth who can help arrange lecture dates with organizations, as well as discussions with informal groups, are asked to get in touch with the college office. In addition to the cities named, meetings will be arranged in nearby towns when possible. 23 Miss Selma M. Borchardt, A. F. T. Legislative Representative and Vicc- president, was one of the 48 leaders of American workers from every state in the Union, who under the direction of’ Edward R. McGrady, legislative committeeman for the American Fed- eration of Labor, on March 25 made a personal canvass of every member of Congress, protesting against passage of any bill to slash the salaries of Federal employees. Professor Jesse H. Holmes, Swarth- more College, and Hénry W. Hetzel. both Philadelphia Local 192, will rep- resent the American Federation of Teachers at the Thirty-sixth Annual Meeting of The American Academy of Political and Social Science in Philadelphia, April 15 and 16. Secretary Hanson addressed an au- dience of 1,500 teachers and trade unionists at the high school auditor- ium in Decatur, Illinois, January 29, on the subject, “Education’s Hope Is Unionism.” The meeting was held under the auspices of the Decatur Central Labor Union, Miss Barbara C. McGlynn, Wilkes- Barre Local 211, has been speaking over Station WBRE on the regular - weekly program sponsored by the Wilkes Barre Central Labor Union Her subject was: The American Fed- eration of Teachers—Why a Teachers Union? . This Issue J. M. Graybiel, M. A., University of California; civics teacher, Loomis High School, San Francisco; vice- president, San Francisco Federa- tion of Teachers, Local 61. Michael B. Scheler, author of Posi- tion of Woman in Modern Society and Russia Today; contributor to national periodicals, including Cur- rent History Magazine, the Annals, Progressive Education; translator and teacher. Mark Starr, leader of Workers’ Edu- cation movement in England, au- thor, lecturer, now visiting America as student of social and economic conditions. | “Who's Who in American Federation of Teachers 506 South Wabash Avenue CHICAGO, ILL. => The American Federation of Teachers desires to establish an intimate contact and an effective co-oper- ation between the teachers and the other workers of the com- munity. The American Federation of Teachers desires to co-operate with all civic organizations for improved civic life. Groups of seven or more public school teachers are invited to afhliate with this National Organization of Classroom Teachers, for mutual assistance, improved professional stand- ards and the democratization of the schools. } Our Slogan Is: Democracy in Education: Education for Democracy THE AMERICAN TEACHER is published monthly by The American Federation of Teachers. Membership dues carry subscription to the magazine. To all others the subscription price is $2.00 per year, 25 cents per copy.