Superintendents Meet

Wreaths, pageantry, speeches in honor of George Washington made a good beginning last fortnight for the annual convention of the Department of Superintendence of the National Education Association in Washington. But there were more engrossing matters. The some 15,000 pedagogs--one of the world's largest annual professional gatherings--had one thing in common to talk about: Hard Times. U. S. education cost $3,200,000,000 in 1931. How was it going now? Was it true, as President of Superintendents Edwin Cornelius Broome of Philadelphia had said before the opening of the convention, that superintendents must fight to save their schools from "death by economy?" Most thought so. As the handshaking began, conversations indicated the following facts:

Cities. Chicago's teachers are desperate. They have received only two months' pay in cash since last April. They are tired of taking scrip, which is worth less than face value. Unless they receive money soon they may walk out. Even so, Chicago's budget troubles may force closing the schools at almost any moment this year.

Atlantic City teachers took a voluntary 10% pay cut month ago. Cincinnati teachers are almost certain to get one. Teaching appointments are now on ''unemployment emergency" basis, which means that new teachers may not be appointed if there is already a wage-earner in the family. Schools in Detroit may be closed a month early if necessary to balance the budget.

The National Education Association reported that 57% of U. S. cities have maintained regular salary schedules, are giving customary increases where they are provided for. Upward revision of salary schedules is rare, but 74 New Jersey cities planned it.

States. In the legislatures of Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Texas, bills to cut salaries were not passed. South Carolina considered a 25% salary cut for professors in State institutions, but it is likely that the only reductions to be made will be along the same lines as those of State employes --from 5% for low-salaried to 30% for high-salaried State officials. Ohio was obliged to cut appropriations for State institutions, reduce professorial salaries. Some Ohio teachers have not been paid. School terms have been shortened, some schools remain closed. Delaware and North Carolina increased school appropriations. In Arizona, drastic cuts.

Counties. The status of rural teachers is generally considered to be low. Appatently the maintenance of salary schedules varies with the population of the community, with such appalling exceptions as Chicago. Some scattered news of rural schools: In Bledsoe County, Tenn., not a school is open. It was predicted that one-third of all Tennessee's schools would be closed. In Cape May County, N. J., 215 teachers have not been paid since December. In Wisconsin, no district with a population over 1,000 is expected to cut salaries. Cuts were expected in 20 out of 22 Oklahoma counties and cities questioned by N. E. A. In Arkansas last week 756 schools were closed, and 1,200 more are expected to close early this spring. In some Arkansas communities, schools are now maintained by public subscription.

Relief. Hard though their own lot was, school teachers made various contributions to charity, chiefly in the form of lunches, clothes for poor children, in Philadelphia, Spokane, Denver, Cleveland, Detroit, Boston, Waterbury (Conn.), Dedham (Mass.), Akron (Ohio). In New York City, teachers have been giving 2% of their salaries. Last month the scot was raised to 5%,. Many grumbled, but last month's total doubled previous ones. Chicago teachers, in spite of near-destitution, maintain free lunches.

First Obligation. The superintendabnt last week chose Dr. Milton Chase Potter of Milwaukee to be their new president. To Dr. Potter, as the convention closed, went a letter from President Hoover, congratulating "the department of superintendents . . . and the nation upon the inspiration in the high service of education that flows out to the country from its deliberations. These serve again to remind our people that, however the national economy may vary or whatever fiscal adjustments may need to be made, the very first obligation 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 government."

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