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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 15, 1905)
THE HORNING OREGONIAN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1905. IS RED TAPE Teachers Object to New Merit System. PLAN IS UNFAIR, THEY SAY taxpayers Will Has Been De feated, Is the Charge. STATE OF UNREST PREVAILS Interviews With Many of the City's Teachers Show That Board of Education Has Adopted Un popular Scheme. Contention is abroad and mutiny is in the air. The efforts of tho good people of Portland to provide for better school in struction for the young Portlandltes may end In a complete demoralization of the school system. There is a spirit of un rest that has passed beyond the School Board, the principals and the teachers themselves. It has passed on to the pu pils, who have in turn communicated it to their parents, who have wondered at the miscarriage of a scheme intended to -work out for the general benefit of the public When $30,000 was voted by the taxpay ers for an immediate Increase in teachers salaries, the taxpayers dreamed they wore taking a step that would result in the teachers feeling more satisfied and more contented and more Interested in their work. It has developed that the voting of the 530,000 was but the first step, and that the subsequent steps have caused the original project to be buried beneath a multitude of red tape. The teachers are unrelieved, and the prospect they have of relief in the future is marred by the fear that partiality is to bo shown, and that, as a body, they are to get much the worst of it. The merit system is the bone of con tention. The teachers feel that When the taxpayers voted $30,000 to be used in in creasing salaries, those taxpayers in tended that all instructors in the city should be benofited. On the contrary, they assert, the merit system will result in increased salaries to a few and no re lief to the multitude. What the merit system is, no one appears to know ex actly. It Is supposed to be a species of red-tape process whereby teachers who deem themselves entitled to an increased salary arc to make application to a board if four. Including two principals, the City Superintendent and the principal of the High School. This board will act on tho application. If It sees fit, and do other wise if It is their will. The teachers declare it Is unfair. In the first place, they contend they will have to have a pull. If the pull is possessed, they will be recommended to the Board of Education for an increase. Then the teacher comes up be fore another stone, wall and finds that she lias to stand in with the board, be a pet again, and have another pull. The in structors declare that under this system a few favorites will get an increase, while some of the oldest teachers in service and some of the most meritorious, will go without more pay. The teachers feel that the $30,000 was voted as a fund for the immediate relief of teachers with small salaries, that the taxpayers de sired the money to he used at once, and desired that all teachers in the city get a share: that they believed if no teacher was worthy an Increase, he or she had no business being engaged to teach Port land's young. The facts in the case are that even the despised merit system does not go into effect until September: that when it does go into effect it will be many more months before the lucky and favored ones get their increase, and the meritorious teacher who spends her time instructing pupils and earning her sal ary, instead of cultivating a pull, has a future without a ray of hope, has the cloud minus the customary silver lining, Few Principals Approve. Excepting a few, the merit System fails to meet with the approval of the prin clpals in the city. There are many prln cipais who say all the teachers arc get ling too small salaries and that if a teacher is able to fulfill her duties at all she Is meritorious enough to get more money. One principal declared yesterday that he would recommend no teacher to the board unless he could recommend all. that he would play the field and no fa vorites. It is understood that one of the principals on the board says he would recommend ono teacher in his building, and that would be his wife, who has charge of one of the rooms in his school. This, the teacher asserts, is the manner in which the merit system will work. "We want more money, the money tho public voted to give us." said a teacher yesterday. "Wo don't want any foolish ness about a so-called merit system. We feel that all salaries ought to be raised, if any am. and we would rather get no rise at all than to have a part of us granted more pay and the remainder dis regarded entirely." Great flocks of school teachers arc con gregating In their boardinghouses every evening and discussing the circumstances. All are willing to talk, and all express their deep contempt for the scheme. In structors throughout the city were in terviewed yesterday on tho subject, and though they statod that tho publication of their names would mean immediate dismissal, they were willing to tell what they thought. Twelve teachers joined in this state ment: "We arc opposed to the so-called merit system, for the reason It Is liable to result in favoritism. To get a rise of $5 will requlro distinguished merit. Two years ago the women got the worst of the rise then made. Superintendent Rig ler got an increase of $500 per annum and he did nothing toward creating pub lic sentiment in favor of the increase. In this last agitation 3dr. Blgler gets a 51000 rise as the result of the agitation for Increase, and the teachers are to be raised according to 'distinguished merit. This is all wrong and unjust to tho teach ers and is causing great dissatisfaction among us. The money provided for in crease of salaries was for the teachers, and not for Mr. RIglcr." Following arc a few of the opinions, most of which arc unfavorable: "Unjust Scheme," Say the Teachers. "Tho audacity of the thing surprises us. There is not an iota of justice in it." "Merit system! Call it a no-merit sys tem!" . "It is absolutely unjust It is nothing but a great piece of partiality!" "Wo feel that we arer wronged and that the taxpayers are 'wronged. They voted us the money and expected that it would be used to givo us immediate relief. Even the system does not go Into effect until September, wo now find." "In order to get more salary you have to -have a pulL Wc havon't time to work for a pull If we do our duties properly." "Thero are other frauds besides land frauds." "The poorest teacher in the city is entitled to more salary. There is no need to pick out the. worthy." "I do not think tho taxpayers intended that $30,000 to go to a few favorites." "I may be ono of the favorites I don't know but even if I am I say the system isn't fair." "Don't talk to me about it I am ut terly disgusted with the whole disgrace ful affair." "We want more salary, but we want to get it fairly." If I got a rise through the merit sys tem and my sister-teachers did not I couldn't look them In. the face." "Thero Is no justice in this scheme." "If wo eulth'ate the favor of the board we get the salary. If we don't we enjoy our present stipend." "The merit system has nolther system nor merit" "So far as I can judge, the merit sys tem for the salary increase seems fair and just I think that the Board of Edu cation has adopted the right course in ad justing the matter." "This agitation was for the benefit of tho grade teachers, and no merit system was thought of. I think it unfair and it would cause more dissatisfaction than anything that could be introduced in the schools." I think that the plan proposed by the Board of Education is fair and just The merit system haa been tried elsewhere, and modeled after a successful merit sys tem adopted in an Eastern school." "The merit system would create Jeal ousy in the school buildings. I am op posed to It" It doesn't work in the trades and fac tories, and it won't work in the school buildings." "The agitation was for the benefit of the grade teachers, and indorsed by the public meeting of the taxpayers. Not even the principals were to get benefit out of it The merit system Is unjust" "'I am not in favor of tho proposed merit system as suggested by the Board of Education. It Is contrary to the man date of the taxpayers' meeting." "The merit system would be all right. if it could be adjusted, but it cannot be adjusted. It won't work in the schools." Unfair and Impracticable. "I am opposed to the proposed merit system as unfair, unjust and impracti cable." "I think that nine-tenths of the grade teachers are opposed to the merit system of increasing salaries. I am very much opposed to It Teachers talk among themselves, but not for the public, and as far as I can judge they are generally op posed to it" "I think the plan is wrong and unjust It will not work harmoniously." "Thd system is fair, if it can be made to work, but I doubt whether it can be used with success. It will produce great dlssatI.faction among teachers." "Who would be the judge under tho merit system? That would be a serious question. Nobody is infallible, and If the increase of salary is made under the merit system there would be sure to be great wrong done to excellent teachers, who do not happen to be as bright as some others." "I am In favor of the merit system of giving the increase of salary. What could be more fair than that basis of in crease, and whom could it harm?" "If properly handled, I think that the merit system is the right plan, and the teachers now opposing it will come to see it In that light It will lead to a higher and better standard, and will be a general incentive to better work." "In my opinion, while the theory of the merit system is all right and correct. It will not work. It Is too unpopular among teachers and an unpopular system will not succeed. Teachers generally are averse to it and they won't take hold of it in the right spirit. Besides, in tha particular instance, the reward is too small to operate as a reward or an in ducement to teachers." BUILDINGS m THE NORTHWEST Appropriations Proposed for Public Buildings on North Pacific OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAl , .t. h ington, Feb. 14. The sundry civil bill re ported today carries the following items: Rent of temporary postofficc quarters at Portland, 534,000. Improving Crater Lake Park, J3000. Enlarging and improving Clackamas fish station, $5000. Improving Columbia River quarantine station, $7500. Seattle public building, $575.0(0. Tacoma building, $75,000. Marking Alaska boundary. $55,000. Isolation Hospital. Port Townsend quar antine station, $9500. Improving Baker Lake fish station. $5000. No appropriation is made for roadbuild ihg or otherwise improving Rainier Na tional Park. WILL PASS AT THIS SESSION Division of Washington Into Two Judicial Districts Assured. OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, Wash ington, Feb. 14. The Senate judiciary committee today ordered a favorable re port on the Jones bill recently passed by the House, dividing the State of Wash ington into two judicial districts, ono east the other west of the Cascade Mountains. Senator Foster Intends to call the bill up within a few days and expects to secure1 its- passage. New Postmasters and Rural Carriers. OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU. Wash ington, Feb. 14- George E. Wasson has been appointed Postmaster at Alvillc, Gil Ham County, Or., vice John J. Wasson, resigned. Rural free delivery carriers appointed: 'Oregon Sherwood, route 2. Samuel T. Wcstfall, carrier; Eben Johnson, substi tute. Washington Washougal, route 3, Charles J. Durgan, carrier; M. L. Lech ner, substitute. Wonatchoo. route 1, Will iam S. Gomron, carrier; T. G. Hedrick, substitute. More Money for Public Buildings. OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, Wash ington, Feb. 14. The omnibus public building bill, reported today, In addition to increasing the limit of cost of the building at Tacoma and Spokane to $500, 000, appropriates $15,000 for tho purchase of a public building site at North Yakima. Rearrested for Express Robbery. RENO, New, Feb. 14. George Mor ris, who is charged with robbing the wells-Fargo Express safe at Truckec, Cal., was arrested here today and taken to Truckeo. Morris, who Is 21 years old. was arrested In. Truckee several days ago and made a full confession Morris' mother, who resides in this city, undertook to settle the affair and Morris, was released. He came to Reno a few days ago and was today rear rested. Tillman Goes to Hospital. PHILADELPHIA. Feb. 14. United States Sonator Tillman of South Caro lina, who came hero yesterday for treatment, went to the Orthopedic Hos pital, where he will remain until the end of the week. Mr. Tillman is suffer ing from a nervous attack following grip. His condition is not serious. Earthquake Shakes' Mexico. MEXICO CITY, Feb. 14. Several sharp shocks of earthquake are re ported from XHotompcc. If you have small children in your home, you cannot afford to be without Chamber lain's Cough remedy. For coughs, colds and croup it nevor falls. For sale by all druggists. The Meier 8b Frank Store WEDNESDAY, A "BARGAIN DAY Sash Curtains 33c Pas Dotted and striped Swiss Sash Curtains, V8 yards long, all ready to put up ; greatest value ever offered, today only at the low price of, pair. . 33 Bedspreads $ 1 .02 Each 200 colored Bedspreads, large size, fringed, best patterns and colors; grand values for today only at this low price, $1.02 Hack Towels 8c Each 50 dozen heavy cotton Huck Towels, size 18x36 inches; greatest value ever offered at the exceptionally low price of, each 8 $1.25 Drawers 49c Pr. Odd lot of women's cambric and nainsook Drawers, trimmed in lace, embroidery, tucks and insertions ;'Sqc to $1.25 values on sale today at, pair 49 Hemmed Sheets 46c Ea. Hemmed Bed Sheets, of good, i heavy muslin, size 81x90 j inches; the best value of the I season for today at the low price of, each 46 i Pillow Cases 1 2c Each 100 dozen Hemstitched Pillow Cases of .good, heavy cotton, size 45x36 inches; exceptional bargain for today onty at the low price of, each ....... 12 Infants' Wear Reduced Infants' Lawn Pillow Covers, trimmed with fine embroidery insertions, tucks and lace, $1, $L25, $1.50 values 75 Odd lot Baby's Moccasins, black only; 35c val., pr. 12 White Petticoats 77c 50 dozen women's white Petti coats of good quality cambric, embroidery trimmed. The styles sold all around town at $1.50 each; your choice today only at, each 77 $1.75 Trimmings 63 c Special lot of Persian Dress Trimmings, Bands and Ap pliques in blue, brown and Oriental designs: values up to $1.75 a yard on sale for 63 $1.50 Trimmings 79c Heavily embroidered silk trim ming, raised rose effects, in yellow, pale blue, red, dark blue, black, old rose, gray; values $1.50 3ard, on sale to day at, yard 79 Table Covers $1.15 Ea. Tapestry Table Covers, double faced, 2 yards square with fringe all around; best. designs and colorings; our regular $LS5 values, each $j.lo $3 Couch Covers $2.15 Double-faced Tapestry Couch Covei-s, 60 inches wide by 3 yards long, fringed all around, red, green and tan; regular $3.00 values for $2.15 Drug Sundries Swansdown Face Powder, today only at, box 9 La Blache Face Powder, today only :at, box 9 Eastman's Talcum Powder, vio let or crushed rose, can 12 40c Flannels 19c Yard 1000 yards of light-weight Scotch Flannels in stripes only, good colorings, 36 inches wide: regular 3oc and 40c quality on sale today at 19 Graves' Tooth Powder 100P cans of Dr. Graves' famous Tooth Powder, on sale all oaj' today at low price of can 9 Drug Department. Cel 1 uloid Dressing Combs 16 & 40c Coffee at 25c Lb. Meier & Frank's famous Mocha and Java Coffee, equal to the best 40c mixture sold any where; during the February grocery sale we' are offering it at the low, price of, lb.. .25d $3.50 Shoes $1.75 Broken lines of women's $2.50, $3.00 and $3.50 Shoes, in the very best models and leathers; phenomenal values today at the low price of, pr.. .$1.75 50c Hosiery 29c Pair 50 dozen women's black cotton Hose, double sole, high spliced heel, all sizes; best 50c values on sale all dav todav at, pair .29 25c Tooth Brnshes 11c Choose all day today from our entire stock of 25c Tooth brushes at the wonderfully low price of, each H 35c Stationery 15c Box Odd lot of Eaton Hurlburt fancy Box Papers, white and tints; best 35c values on sale all day today at, box. . . .lop 15c Flannelettes 7c Yd 9000 yards of Flannelettes in the best patterns and colors, clean-up of our entire Winter stock today at, yard 7d 15c Silkolines 8c Yard 200 pieces of Silkolines in Ori ental and floral designs, best colorings; marvelous value all day today at, yard 8i New Linen Waists $2.75 to $25.00 The Meier &. Frank Store will show today a jjg ir v jjg magnificent variety of 1905 Linen Waists, ex- V milsite imnorted nd Ampriran novelties in ex- elusive stylesThe display is the largest and handsomest Portland will see this season and comprises beautiful creations in French hand embroidered linens, English embroidered lin ens, Irish linens, silk linens and heavy linens Superb assortment of styles in tailor-made ef fects, plain, tucks, and side plaits, white, blue, 1 tan anrl hrnwn TMc innnmiremnt ftsic kaon V eagerly awaited by hundreds of Portland's pest dressers wno nave Deen inquiring daily "ll when we would show the new linen waists Come today, whether to look or buy, you will be accorded proper attention Second Floor Tf H Jjk" 'r "Rajah" aid "Burlap" Silks "Rajah" Silk is in all respects a counterpart of true native Asiatic hand-loom fabric, has all the elements of durability and usefulness which are so requisite, adapted for street and house gowns, costumes, blouses, shirtwaist suits, 30 inches wide, yard p 1 mdr '"Burlinghain," a silky and beautiful hand-weave, similar to Burlap, a rich, serviceable material for shritwaist suits, trav eling and automobile coats, 27 inches wide, (( at the very low price of, yard tpi.Uw Printed Crepe de Chine, 79c Great special offering of 550 yards of Printed Silk Crepe de Chine in Dresden effects, for waists and costumes ; fine qual ity, handsome material; pink, green, violet, blue and cardi nal; exceptional .$1.00 value; this lot, while it lasts at the low price of, yard 79c Women's Shoes Women's patent colt and vici kid, Blucher style Shoes, also kid lace, patent tip, heavy or light soles, all sizes and widths; all new, desirable foot wear, the equal of the best $3.50 advertised Shoes on the market. Every pair Johnson Bros.' fa mous make. An opportunity to supply your Spring and Sum mer footwear needs fi An at a big saving, pr.. P 70 Nurses' and Old Ladies' Shoes and Slippers, Dongola Oxfords, rubber heels, Dongola lace, rub ber heels, glove kid, lace or con gress: $1.75 and Ql Off $2.00 values, pair. ..v 2 New Lace Hosiery Great Values 25c a Pair We place on sale today 2500 pairs of Women's real lisle boot Hosiery; ever' pair new Spring- stock; a great special purchase made from a promi nent foreign manufacturer colors include black, navy, red, tan, white and champagne; all sizes; the grand est Hosiery bargain Portland women "have had the opportunity to share in for many months ; the economical will anticipate their Summer needs; all sizes; phenomenal value At 25c a Pair Portland's Cloak Store New Spring Apparel Women's 1905 Walking Suits, in etamines, cheviots, cashmeres and mannish mixtures; blue, black, brown, grajrs and tans, in jacket styles, blouse effects, with Peplin and Norfolks ; very attractive models in splen did variety, $20, $22.50, $26 and $28 each. 200 new 1905 Walking Skirts, in alpacas, homespuns, cashmeres, cheviots, broadcloths, tweeds, serges and fancy worsteds; made with plain flare, box plaits and kilt effects : blue, black, grays, browns, tans, light and dark mixtures, $8, $9, $10, $12 up to $20. Women's new Dress Skirts in voiles, etamines and mel rose, black only; with or without sdk drop-skirts; exceptional values at $12.50 up to $32.00. Tan Covert Jackets in large variety. Shirtwaist Suits An unusually large showing of new Shirtwaist Suits for so 'early in the season. Plain taffeta silks, checked and plaid silks, wool shirtwaist suits, alpaca shirtwaist suits, all the newest tailored effects also fancy styles blues, browns, blacks, greens, reds, tens and-f ancy mixtures Prices run $9, $12, $16.50, $18, $20, $22.50 $25, $36 and Up to $42 a Suit Handsome new White Alpaca and Sicilian Skirts, late arrivals, $10.00 and $12.50. $4.50 Spring Hats $2.95 We offer today a special purchase of IQO women's new Spring Hats in turbans, toques, "Charlotte Cordays," in fancy braids, chiffons and lace, all the newest shades and effects, every hat the latest Spring style and worth $4.50 Our millinery manager writes us to place them on sale at once for the low price of $2.95 New Flower Hats Just Received by Express 2d Floor Cups, Saucers, 90c Doz. White German China Teacups and Saucers: extraordinary value all day today at the low price of, dozen 90 Basement. Haviiand Dinner Set 100-piece Haviiand China Din ner Set, pink, floral decora tions, gold on knobs and han dles, open-stock patterns : great value today. . .$19.55 Men's Underwear 76 c Wright's Health Underwear, fleeced Shirts and Drawers, all sizes: sold everywhere at $1 a garment, tod&y 76 Basement Specials 13-inch round nickel Trays; great value today 27 7-inch white German China Plates; wonderful value today at, dozen 90 Basement. Fountain Syringe 89c " Challenge " rapid-flow Foun tain Syringe, hard rubber pipes, 2-quart size; a guaran teed Sjringc on sale today at .89 "Peninsular" Range "Peninsular" planished steel Range, asbestos lined, steel over rack, ventilated oven, handsome nickel trimming, 10 years' guarantee; great bar gain foday at $26.00 Corsets 1 9c Pair Odds and ends in Corsets, good models, sizes 18 to 22; values $1.00 to $2.50 each, while they last today at, pair 19 Second Floor. Men's 50c Ties 19c 20 dozen men's Silk Four-in-Hands in a big assortment of good patterns and colorings; your choice today, each 19 Blanket Specials All wool white Blankets, full size; best $8.50 values, pair $6.70 .$5.50 all wool mottled Blankets on sale all day at, pair $3.67 Third Floor. Children's Tarns 39c Four lots of children's Angora and Cloth Tarn O'Shanters in white, navy, red and mixed colors ; values up to $1.00 each for, each 39 $ 1 .00 Nightshirts 63c Men's extra quality twilled muslin Nightshirts in all sizes. The grade sold in exclusive stores at $1.00, today at 63 Suspenders 15c Pair The "Prince" Suspender for men, sold everywhere at 25c pair; best patterns, all day to day they wilL be on sale here at, pair 15- 30c Ribbons 15c Yard 2500 yards Satin Taffeta Rib bons in navy, royal, light blue, cardinal, mais, lilac, green, white, cream, brown, black. 3 inches wide; 30c value 15 Silk Dress Shields Brocaded Silk Dress Shields, sizes 2, 3, 4, best quality, great special value all day today at, pair 18 Notion Department. Boys' Pants 93c Boys' all wool Knee Pants, dark brown and dark gray mixtures, ages 4 to 16 years; regular $1.25 to $1.50 values on sale all day at, pair ....93 Boys Suits $2.80 B.oys' all wool school suits, gray, green and brown plaids and mixtures, ages 8 to 16 years; regular $3.95 values on sale all day today at $2.80 $2.00 Gloves $1.49 pr. Perrin's extra quality Suede Gloves, 3-clasp, in black, white, gray, mode and tan, sizes 52 to 7 ; best $2.00 values on sale all day at, pair $1.49 $5 Center Pieces $1.23 Leather and Yelour Center pieces, handsome novelties; selling regularly at $5.00 each, on sale today at $1.23 $1.00 Taffeta 76c Yard 2000 yards of our 22-inch guar anteed "Phalanx" black taffe ta silk; regular $1.00 quality on sale all day today at the low price of, yard , 76 35c Side Combs 18c 200 pairs Side Combs in the best styles; 35c val., pr. 1S 10 dozen celluloid Dressing Combs, spec, today, each 16 Rubber Goods Specials Indian brand Hot Water Bot tles, 3-quart full guaranteed; great value $1.19 Buetian Hot Water Bottles. 2 quart, made of purs gum rob ber .......... 93 "Yale" Hot ' Water Bottles, each 69 Men's $1.25 Sox 43c Pr. Broken lines of men's 75c, $1, and $1.25 fancy Sox, stripes .and plaids, all sizes; marvelous values all day today at 43 Merino Sox 19c Pair Men's all wool merino Sox, black, brown, Oxford, gray and camelshair. all sizes: great special values today, pr. 19