In 1956 and again in 1957 teachers here experienced payless paydays because of an inadequate allotment to the school budget. This year a similar situation is almost sure to arise when the school budget is exhausted some time in early May. In behalf of local 930 of the American Federation of Teachers, I urge your early and favorable support for the Murray-Metcalf Federal aid bill, now pending in committee, that would do much to boost our present sagging school system. Sincerely yours, JOSEPH P. KELLEY, President. CARVER FEDERATION OF TEACHERS, LOCAL 964, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS, Representative CLEVELAND M. BAILEY, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. BAILEY: A.F.T. Local 964, affiliate of AFT-CIO, wishes to urge you to vote for the Murray-Metcalf Federal aid bill and to use all your influence to enlist additional support for this bill. Our school district is urgently in need of the Federal aid for teachers' salaries that this bill provides. This school district is especially disadvantaged in that the income from local taxes is very small. The school is located in a community that is in the process of change over from one of the temporary government built homes for wartime employees to one of more permanent homes. There are few business enterprises in this area. Therefore, the district is heavily dependent on State aid for support of the school. As everyone knows Michigan is in dire financial distress and finds it difficult to make the State aid payments. Fraternally, BERNICE A. BUCHANAN, DEAR REPRESENTATIVE BAILEY: The facts concerning the city of Lawrence which make passage of the Murray-Metcalf Federal aid bill a vital necessity are a matter of record. The story has been brought to the attention of Congress itself. This city was one of our nation's leading textile cities for many years. In keeping with the building trends of that era, huge woolen mills were built and the city's economy was built around them. However, our city has witnessed the closing of these mills one by one. The loss of such plants as the Everett Mills, the Pacific Mills, and the huge holdings of the American Woolen Company in the Wood, Washington, and Ayer Mills was a most crippling blow. It meant not only loss of employment, which though serious has been taken care of to some degree, but the loss of a large portion of our city's tax base, a more lasting disaster and one much more difficult to remedy. Since Lawrence is a city of somewhat more than 70,000 people in an area of less than seven square miles, building a new and sizeable tax base becomes a problem. Yet the city's educational needs mount! Since the loss of our textile industry, the city has built one large school and is now building two others. Large sums have been expended on repair of other schools. As a result of these expenditures the tax rate is approaching a point beyond which it is not too safe to go, if we are to attract new industries to our city. Yet in the near future are other costs. Lawrence is now the only city in the State without a vocational school-one is a vital need. Some of our pupils are quartered in a private building-more classrooms must be found. With the tax rate at the limit, we must look to Federal aid. Once the teacher's salary in Lawrence compared favorably with other cities. The sad plight of that salary is reflected in a survey made by our union in November, 1958. Our salary now is 38th of the 39 cities of the State, 113th of the 119 towns, 80th of 89 large cities in New England, and 530th of 561 communities of Northeastern U.S. Without aid Lawrence cannot meet this competition. In view of the foregoing, our teachers union, representing over 75 percent of the teachers of Lawrence, urge passage of the Murray-Metcalf bill. Sincerely, BERNARD J. KIERNAN, President. NASHUA TEACHERS UNION, LOCAL 1044, Representative CLEVELAND M. BAILEY, DEAR SIR: Local homeowners, almost entirely people of moderate means, are faced with the threat of already high property taxes being increased to meet the challenge of providing housing for the rapidly increasing school population in the city. Even with the most careful forethought, the local authorities and school people are plagued by lack of facilities and schools, but they have their hands tied face to face with fiscal facts, unless the Federal Government can give us the same sort of assistance it gave during the height of the depression, when it made it possible for the local community to build a modern high school with auditorium and gymnasium adequate to maintain educational standards at a cost the city could bear and at a time when the State was unble to increase its assistance. Some of the most urgent projects which demand immediate attention from the city at the present time are: (1) New housing for a bursting junior high school enrollment; (2) needed expansion of high school facilities; (3) further supplementary housing on the elementary school level. In the midst of this, the mayor's appeal for a "hold the line" policy actually put him in the position of giving praise to the local school board when it postponed correction of inequities in salary levels, which the local teachers, long underpaid and increasingly overburdened, requested. Needless to say, the community needs relief, if the quality of teaching in our schools is to be maintained. The Nashua Teachers' Union feels that Federal aid to the local authorities, a practical method already tried in the past and which proved most effective, is the safest, most speedy, and most economical way to solve the problem. We, therefore, urge immediate Congressional action to assist our local community in improving teachers' salaries and school housing facilities. Sincerely yours, MARGARET L. McGLYNN, President. COVENTRY TEACHERS' ALLIANCE, LOCAL No. 1075, Coventry, R.I. Representative CLEVELAND M. BAILEY, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR SIR: Our community needs Federal aid for school housing because at present we are using three buildings over 100 years old which are inadequate. In our newest elementary school building we have divided the auditorium into three classrooms and there is a classroom on the stage. In a building built around 1925, two of the basements have been converted into classrooms, and a coal bin is also used as a classroom. In another comparatively modern building the combination auditorium lunchroom has been utilized for classrooms. Our newest building, the high school, has been open 2 years. Next year it will no doubt be overcrowded. Fraternally, DOROTHY A. SARLAND, President. OTTUMWA FEDERATION OF TEACHERS, LOCAL NO. 1112, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS, Representative CLEVELAND M. BAILEY, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR HONORABLE REPRESENTATIVES: We in the State of Iowa need additional financial aid for schools because our rate of State aid is far below the national average. Our tax rate is high now and little additional State aid is forthcoming in the face of rapidly advancing school costs. Locally we are not surrounded by farm land by great value, as some other areas of our State. Therefore we do not have the land value per school child to tax. As a result of this our tax millage is very high and our funds inadequate to maintain a good complete educational system. We encourage you to support the Murray-Metcalf Federal aid bill as the best piece of Federal legislation to help bolster a sagging public educational system. Yours truly, MARCELENE ROBINSON, President. Representative CLEVELAND M. BAILEY, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. BELVIDERE HIGH SCHOOL, DEAR SIR: Our community needs Federal aid for housing and salaries. Many of our buildings are old and delapidated. The salaries for teachers is not adequate to obtain the best instructors. IDA L. BURLEIGH, BINGHAMTON, N.Y., March 7, 1959. Representative CLEVELAND M. BAILEY, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. BAILEY: We are pleased that you are willing to listen to our needs for Federal aid for housing and teachers' salaries. In our commodity of Binghamton, N.Y., with a population of 82,400 a long overdue modernization of our city hospital has been given up for lack of funds. With Federal aid for housing it might be possible to use some of the city's funds for renovation of the antiquated hospital buildings. Our teachers' salaries begin at $4,200 and go to $6,000 in 13 years. At the end of 25 years of teaching there is an increment of $300. With the constant increase in the cost of living, teachers with families can't wait for 25 years to reach a maximum of $6,300 for the bachelor degree. Any Federal aid that would increase teachers' salaries in Binghamton would be appreciated. I can assure you. We feel sure that you will use your influence to insure passage of this much needed legislation. Cordially yours, EDNA G. HINDS, President of Binghamton Federation of Teachers No. 1218. COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT No. 2, Representative CLEVELAND M. BAILEY, Washington, D.C. Mattoon, Ill., March 9, 1959. DEAR SIR: We of the Mattoon Federation of Teachers are interested in seeing the Murray-Metcalf bill passed. We feel that locally Federal participation would be of utmost importance, as local taxes are no longer able to provide enough revenue to insure an adequate education for our young people. Housing, within the limited budget of many of our local citzens, is sorely needed. We would appreciate it if you will give this bill your utmost support. Thanking you, I remain, Sincerely yours, DOYLE E. KOPP, President. WELLSTON FEDERATION OF TEACHERS, Representative CLEVELAND M. BAILEY, DEAR SIR: Our community needs Federal aid for housing and teachers' salaries because we live in southeastern Ohio where a lack of resources, industries, and a low tax valuation makes it impossible to properly house our student body and to pay our teachers a decent salary under the existing State-aid plan. Sincerely, E. L. JACK LAVENDER, Recording and Corresponding Secretary. WATERBURY, CONN., March 10, 1959. President CARL J. MEGEL, American Federation of Teachers, Waterbury does not get a just return for Federal taxes paid. Education of youth determines future of our Nation; therefore, Federal Government must share in its responsibility so that all children will have equal opportunity in safe buildings with well-paid, fully qualified teachers. WFT supports MurrayMetcalf bill. SARAH QUINN, President, Waterbury Federation of Teachers. PEABODY TEACHERS' UNION LOCAL 1289, Representative CLEVELAND M. BAILEY, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. HONORABLE CONGRESSMAN BAILEY: There are several reasons why our community, Peabody, Mass., needs Federal aid for housing and teachers' salaries. No. 1: Our city has one of the highest bonded indebtedness conditions in the State. The reasons for this are the construction of 2 new schools and complete rehabilitation of 4 others, not to mention a new 20 room elementary school in the process of being built. No. 2: Every bond order has to be cleared by the emergency finance board of the State as the city is precariously close to its bonded debt limit. No. 3: The real estate taxes of the city can no longer support the school sysetm properly unless it reaches an astronomical figure. No. 4: Teachers' salaries here in Peabody are the lowest of any city of comparable size in the Commonwealth. Despite a small raise this year we are still an average of $750 behind teachers in surrounding communities. No. 5: We believe that education is no longer just a local problem. It is national in scope and its success or failure will certainly affect the Nation as a whole. The reasons stated above are the barest skeleton of the problem and to fill in the body of the reasons for increased Federal aid to education would take more space and time than is now available. The Murray-Metcalf bill appears to have some of the answers to our local problems and the teachers of local 1289, A.F. of T. heartily endorse his bill and seek its rapid passage and enactment. Very truly yours, THOMAS P. MCDONALD, President. MR. CARL J. MEGEL, LAINGSBURG FEDERATION OF TEACHERS, LOCAL 1306, President, American Federation of Teachers, Chicago, Il. DEAR MR. MEGEL: The Laingsburg Federation of Teachers is writing in behalf of the Murray-Metcalf bill. Our community, like so many "bedroom" towns near industrial centers, is not unique in its need for Federal aid for housing and teachers' salaries. Our people work in the automobile factories in Lansing producing wealth that is supporting the city schools, but own homes in our school district creating the following situation: 1. Laingsburg has only $5,000 valuation behind each child. 2. Laingsburg has constantly operated in the red and is now roughly $50,000 in debt for operating expenses. 3. Laingsburg has gone behind financially over the past 3 years until we are now roughly $50,000 in debt for operating expenses alone. 4. Our teachers' salaries are fixed at a starting wage of $4,100 for a beginning teacher with a degree. The ceiling is $5,000 which is reached in 6 years. 5. We are operating six grades on part time because of lack of rooms. 6. The high school is using several substandard rooms for classrooms and is in dire need of a library and science equipment among many other things. We urge you to support the Murray-Metcalf Federal aid bill. Very truly yours, M. CLARK, President. MISSOURI STATE FEDERATION OF TEACHERS, Representative CLEVELAND M. BAILEY, DEAR MR. BAILEY: On behalf of the membership of the North Kansas City Federation of Teachers, Local 1309, I wish to inform you that your consideration of the Murray-Metcalf Federal aid bill is among the most important pieces of legislation that you and your colleagues will consider during the present session of Congress. As you well know, the United States and other nations who hold freedom as their beacon light are engaged in a struggle with those who seek to annihilate such ideas and ideals. To lose in this struggle would be disastrous to us and our way of life. It would eliminate the centuries of sacrifice made by freedom-loving peoples in attaining what we now hold. We maintain that the most important battle in this struggle will be fought in the classrooms in our country. To engage in such a conflict with obsolete buildings, crowded classrooms, poorly trained teachers, and underpaid teachers, is utter folly. In the Kansas City metropolitan area such conditions do exist in spite of the fact that a number of school districts have already reached their legal: bonded capacity and their school levies are at an all-time high. We feel that this situation merits the immediate attention of our Federal Government because this problem affects the whole United States and its future and that it is not a local isolated problem. Therefore, we urge you to give this needed legislation favorable consideration for the welfare and future of our country. Sincerely yours, Hon. CLEVELAND M. BAILEY, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. NORMAN M. LITTLE, President. LOCAL 1325, AFL-CIO, DEAR SIR: Please support the Murray-Metcalf Federal aid bill now in hearing in the House Labor Committee. Federal aid for school housing and teachers' salaries is needed in our central Minnesota area, even though our local tax picture as a mining community is better than surrounding towns. 37378-59-38 |