School Notes
The Teacher's Pay
As no question is ever settled until
it is settled right, we have no apology
to offer for presuming to discuss the
small matter of the teacher’s pay.
The war to make the world safe for
democracy is won. But the war to
make democracy even safer for the
world will last yet for hundreds of
years. In the former war, teachers
fought far behind the lines. . In the
latter they must be leaders. Some
people think that when problems are
to be solved all that is needed is for
the legislature to pass some law. But
a law is of value only if public senti
ment supports it, and public sentiment
is a matter of education. A country's
problems must be solved in its school
rooms. Does it or does it not behoove
the American people to obtain, and
having obtained, to retain, the very
best material to be had in the teach
ing profession? There are those who
discredit the present crisis in the
shortage of teachers, saying it is a
cry of “Wolf! wolf!” But with 100,
000 teaching positions filled with girls
averaging 19 years of age—mere chil
dren who should be in school them
selves—and another 100,000 schools
,closed throughout the country because
of no teachers, it would seem that the
seriousness of the educational situa
tion confronting the American people
is not overestimated. This shortage is
due to the uniformly low wages paid
over the country, whose average wage
a year or so ago was the magnificent
sum of $600 per year, and which is
no better now in spite of much-her
alded increases in pay, because the
cost of living has doubled, while it
has been a liberal community indeed
which has granted its teachers so
much as a 25 per cent increase. In
considering increases, one must at the
same time consider the purchasing
power of the dollar, which has shrunk
out of all proportion to any increases
in the salaries of teachers. Hence,
school men and women in large num
bers—about 65,000 the past year—
have left the work of their choice to
pupafp in nthpr linp<a whiph rav Vipt
ter; and the end is not yet.
Every governor in the country has
expressed his belief that the uniformly
poor* pay of American teachers, as
compared with that of movie stars
and baseball players, is a national dis
grace. Perhaps they recognize bet
ter than some others the relative value
of different kinds of work.
When a boy with no education be
yond that of the eighth grade can
earn more money in a year learning
his trade than a teacher who must
have, beside an eighth grade educa
tion, a minimum of four years in high
school plus from two to four years of
higher education, in addition to years
of practical experience, it would seem
that a very low estimate is placed
upon the value of a teacher’s prepara
tion and work.
And yet teachers are told repeatedly
that theirs is the most important and
responsible work in the world. A cer
tain well-known author once said:
There is no country' in the world
where labor is theoretically so hon
ored and practically so despised as in
America.” He doubtless had in mind
the oft-mentioned “horny-handed son
•of toil”; but teachers are justified in
thinking this remark applies particu
larly to their own labor when they
hear the flowery things that are said
•on all sides about the dignity and the
value of their calling, and then com
pare their yearly wage with that of
uneducated manual laborers, at the
same time that they compare the de
mands made upon them as teachers
with the light demands in other lines
of work infinitely better paid. For
the teacher is expected to dress as
befits her high and noble calling; she
must have a thorough preliminary
training; she must attend summer
school, and keep in touch with the
latest educational thought through
lectures, books and magazines; she
must travel to broaden her outlook;
she must avail herself of the best that
the theatrical and musical world have
to offer, if in a locality where this is
possible. All this costs money as well
as time. What other line of work de
mands such constant “brushing-up”
as ours in order not . to be counted a
back number?
The American public is right in
thinking the best is none too good for
it, especially in this matter of educa
tion, but let that same public be as
generous in its willingness to pay the
best price for what it demands as it
is in other lines not nearly so essential
to either its immediate or its future
welfare. If the laborer Is worthy of
his hire, and if compensation should
be in proportion to value received,
self-evident hypotheses, then give
honor to whom honor is due by rec
ognizing efficient work in this most
responsible calling with adequate
compensation, and the public will be
the greatest beneficiary, for only in
this way can the standard of the
school and education be raised.
Dress Reform in the Schools
Many state superintendents of in
struction have placed themselves on
record as favoring dress reform among
the pupils of the public school. Too
many parents fail to realize that
school is a business institution, not a
social gathering, and that their chil
dren should dress in keeping with the
nature of the place. Too many desev
ing poor girls and boys—especially
girls—have dropped out of school be
cause unable to maintain the standard
of dress which obtains in the average
high school. With everything priced
so high, the one item alone of silk
hosiery for many high school girls in
some localities is enough to make a
mere school teacher blink, for her sal
ary must provide all the necessities
of life as well as its luxuries—which
must needs be few.
The item quoted below may indicate
, a passing fad in this particular school
| system; perhaps the reform instituted
| is extreme, but anyhow it is a step in
the right direction, and we wonder if
j the time will not come when a school
; uniform will be adopted generally, not
! alone to correct the false standard of j
| living which is being instilled into the
minds of our young people, but to abol- *
ish the foolish pride in fine feathers
and its resulting snobbishness on the
part of some and the envy and dis
comfort of others:
T_i._J__•_
v/nm, XUUUUUL1115 d
movement that has never been tried
anywhere in the Southwest before,
high school students at separate meet
ings recently adopted simplified dress
for both boys and girls, including cor
duroy trousers and woolen shirts for
the boys and gingham and calico
dresses for the fair sex.
“Ninety per cent of the boys of the
senior class have gone on record as
favoring the new measure, and ar
rangements are now being made to
purchase a lot of pants at reduced
prices. Very few of the fellows do
not possess some sort of woolen, khaki
or gray shirts, and the trousers can
be purchased at reasonable prices.
“The girls of the class at a special
meeting unanimously voted to abolish
the much-talked-of habit of applying
rouge in the class rooms. Beginning
next week any and all old clothes will
be worn by the girls, whether it be
‘gingham, calico or burlap,’ according
to one enthused young lady.
“ ‘We’re going to hold this rule till
the H. C. L. drops down a few notches,’
declared Miss Edwina Blackwell, sec
retary of the senior class. ‘It will save
us a lot of money, and who cares for
style anyhow, if we’re all dressed
alike?’ ”
A Mighty Loving
“Full high above all else,
Above a mind endowed with richest
gifts—
Above a life enshrined in stainless
beauty—
Above a clean, white soul in virtue
clad—
Above a purpose that would lead
To realms of knowledge hitherto un
seen _
Should be, in all who guide our youth, r
A power for mighty loving.”
A teacher who has the faintest trace
of “red” in his or her philosophy is
unthinkable.
Analyze, don’t guess. This is a good
rule in business; it is equally wise in
school affairs.
Tag Day Sale
The Cordova public has our sincere
and hearty thanks for its generous re
sponse to our appeal for funds for our
library on Tag day. The receipts were
$177.35 and the expense will total
about $15, which leaves a tidy sum
for adding books and pictures to the
school.
Naomi Robinson, in Room 2, was
the best seller of tags among the
girls, disposing of 27 tags, while Rob
ert Daggett led the boys, with 23 tags
to his credit.
The First and Second grade pupils
were the best sellers. Room 1 collect
ed $52.55; Room 2, $46.90; Room 3,
$51.90; High School, $26.
We felt specially grateful for our
success today when we read in a
school paper published in Port An
geles, Wash., that their school had
(Continued on Page Seven)
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I
Your Mirror
Will Show
the efficiency of our Toilet Preparations and
Accessories—hair will be silken, complexion
brighter and clearer. Besides their effective
ness, there’s dainty refinement about them
that gives boundless satisfaction to those who
are particular. Inspect our stock and you will
be convinced that what we claim are facts.
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NO 1THERN DRUG CO.
“THE DRUG STORE OF ALASKA”
“SERVICE” is our motto
SOMETHING YOUN )|
You should have a checking ac- |
count. |
You will thus have a perfect record |g
of all income and an indisputable re- j
ceipt for all payments. |
Your money will always be safe,
and yet at your instant command. I
You will gain the increased respect ■
of all with whom you deal. 1
Bank of Alaska i
CAPITAL $170,000.00 g
Branches at Skagway, Wrangell and Anchorage
—-—
ALASKA TRAM CO ‘ANY
TRANSFER AND STORAGE
COAL AND WOOD
AUTO SERVICE
DAY OR NIGHT
Office, Northern Hotel Bldg. Phone 85
| Light, Wati r j
I Tilephnn (
| Three essentials in every well-regulated |
1 home or place of business1 1
I I
Alaska Public Utilities
I I
I - 4
g; g
I One Hundred Per Cent American 1
I I
I- ■§
Alaska
Steamship Company
Regular Sailings Between Seattle,
Ketchikan, Juneau, Cordova, Valdez,
Ellamar, Liscum, Latouche, Seward
i
FROM SEATTLE- SA1LS S0UTH_
FEB-20. ALASKA ...FES. 23
FEB*29. ALAMEDA .MARCHS
Frequent sailings of freighters carrying explosives.
This schedule subject to change without notice. M
F. B. TRACY, Agent
^PACIFIC STEAMSHIP COMPANY^
Alaska—Washington—California ALASKA ROUTE I
Safety Courtesy Service Speed
OFFICE EMPRESS BUILDING
WEST BOUND SOUTH BOUND
LEAVE CORDOVA LEAVE CORDOVA
EVANS, MARCHS EVANS, MARCH 7
WATSON, MARCH 13 WATSON, MARCH 21
Watson calls at Kodiak. Evans makes Valdez, Latouche and Seward
L. A. COUNTS, AGENT Res. Lathrep Apte.
Phones: Office 223, Residence 223—2 rings. ..
/
_ k
11 — ■ ■■■■ I ■ warn
lopp r River and
Ni irthw st rn Ry. 1
Trains leave Cordova for Chitina Monday and Thursday,,
Trains leave Chitina for Kennecott Tuesday and Friday.
Trains leave Kenneeott for Chitina Sunday and Thursday, i
Trains leave Chitina for Cordova Tuesday and Friday.
4
Dining Car in Connection with all Regular
Passenger Trains between Cordova and Chitina,
Freight received and delivered at Cordova
\\ harf from 9 a. m. to 5 p- m., except Sundays. %
Tickets on sale at Second Street Depot office
one hour before departure of trains.
CALEB CORSER Superintendent
FRANK BURNS, TICKET AGENT
THE NORTHERN CLUB
FRE® HAEF, RR®R.
POOL, CARDS, TOBACCO
Soft Drinks of All Kinds
The Popular Comer
PHONE 47 CORDOVA. ALASKA
FRED M. SCHAUPP
SANITARY PLUMBING
Steam-Fitting, Marine Pipe and Tank Work
Sheet Metal Work
SECOND STREET, NEXT DOOR TO FEDERAL JAIL
PHONE 72
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