The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-15
TO BENEFIT TEACHERS.

Some years ago the public school teachers
of Indianapolis established a benefit fund
to be used in case of illness among the
members of their association. 1t was sus-
tanned by the payment of regular dues by
all the teachers. and the system was in
operation long enough to prove the useful
ness and importance of such a fund. Ow-
ing, however. to the unsatisfactory work.
ings of some details of the plan the collec
ton OF dues was finally abandoned, and
FOR some time there has been no benefit
organization among the teachers. The need
of it has been felt. nevertheless, for it has
frequently happened that when illness has
overtaken individual members of this corps
of workers their immediate associates in
the schools have come to their relief. This
throws an unnecessary burden upon the
few and places the recipient under sense
of obligation that would not be felt were
her help to come from fund to which
she contributed her quota and in which
she had right to share In number of
cities a benefit system is well established,
and in few instances-Philadelphia for
one. if the Journal is not mistaken-a PEN
sion fund is in existence. the beneficiaries
being teachers who have served specified
term Of years in the schools or who are
forced into retirement by premature dis
ability. dream cherished by optimistic
members of the profession is of a time
when they may be henorably retired on
hi - III
lie funds. They argue hopefully. and not
without reason. that they serve their coun-
try quite as faithfully as do officers of
the army and navy. and for even smaller
remuneration. They point to certain pen
stoned civil servants, such as federal judges
and city policemen and firemen. and aver
that the community owes them an equal
debt. But those who have noted the para
Lying effect upon legislators and other
public men of the very mention of teach
cent vision. No serious proposition is more
likely to cause heart failure to Official
guardians of the public welfare than this.
They will vote pensions to policemen and
up their hands in dismay at the thought of
teachers pensions. The taxpayers
wouldn't stand it," they say. Very likely
they wouldn't. Taxpayers as class do
not understand or appreciate the debt they
owe to public school teachers or the man
ner in which these teachers devote their
lives to their work. Probably they never
will, since the advertising of its own virtues
and deserts is not characteristic of the
PROFESSIONAL least so far as women teach
ers are concerned. This circumstance does
not alter the fact, however. that, as stated
before, a benefit fund is necessary, almost
indispensable. Teachers salaries are small.
they must maintain a certain standard of
living and of dress; the majority of them.
like nearly all women workers of every
class. have others dependent upon them.
and saving money is difficult, often an
impossible thing. A realization of this has
led to a revival among the city teachers
of the movement to establish relief fund.
On what basis this will be done the Jour
nal is not informed, but it notes, as a pre-
liminary step. the giving of concert with
in a few days whose proceeds are to go to
this cause. 1t is a cause which deserves
public encoura cement, and the efforts of the
teachers to provide against illness and dis
ability should be generously supported.