New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-09
SCHOOL PENSIONS.
Nearly Al Men Teachers ATrayed
against Women on the Question.

An extremely interesting situation which has been
developing for the last two years among the public
school teachers OF the city has just come to a
climax. IN 1t the sexes with some illustrious
ceptions the male side. divided against each
other Il is the men against the women or, rather.
as q woman teacher put it yesterday. the women
against the THE men have always been
against the women she added THE novelty in
the present situation is that against them"
The bore OF contention is the pension law As
il reads, teachers who retire after given
number of years OF service are to get half pay. up
70 $500 This naturally does not please those
employees of the Board of Education whose salaries
pass the 5000 mark and they have been trying to
get the law amended as to insure half pay to
all As there not more than one or two women
in the system who would be affected by such
change, and as IL would mean additional tax to
all teachers the women eachers have ranged them
selves in a body against IL.
The contest has been productive Of much ill-feel-
ing and not a little intrigue. and eliminated last
week In the secession Of some Of The Bronx leaders
from the New--York City Teachers Association and
iH the formation of new association in The Bronx
The for this move are set forth in state
nent just issued by the president Of the New
York City Teachers Association. Maguus Gross,
who like knight OF ole, is feaIiessly champion
ing the cause OF the women
Under ordinary circumstances" Mr.. Gross says.
'the action Of The Bronx teachers would call for
criticism But the circumstances which at
tended the formation of this body. the per-
sonal attacks and insinuations directed against
the president and some Of the active members Of
the Eew-York City Teachers Association. justify
exposure Of the real motives animating the
leaders Of this detection the part OF some Of The
Bronx teachers
About q year ago. the New-York City Teachers
Association. by overwhelming vote of its board
Of delegates Qnciuding The Bronx members), reg
istered ts opposition to the proposed increase in
the pensions of superintendents male principals
and some male teachers. The matter was carried
into the interborough council. where the Brooklyn
delegates aided by the representative of a few
Manhattan principals (the majority have never
come out openly for this measure), endeavored to
secure the councils approval Of pension bill en-
bodying the increased pensions This effort failed
because Of the opposition OF the New-York City
Teachers' Association, which controlled majority
Of the council by virtue of its representing
oughs- Manhattan and The Bronx. The men who
sought increased pensions then attempted other
tactics They formed conference of teachers
associations TO undermine the interborough council.
This also failed because the conference hope
lessly unrepresentative. They were unwearied in
their efforts. however, and so. early in the year,
with I'VE delegates to the :nterborough council the
Tesche!s Association e Would be broken. iOfA o'''
,r such was Their reasoning The only thing Lack.
was MANUFACTURED, recently. when the association
esed ng s % ne9 Of e NJ enc
could not adopt the sound democratic principle
Of patiently submitting 10 the viii Of the majority.
Al the close OF The meeting and since then these
men nestedly accused the president and other
members OF the majority Of a desire TO disrupt the
organization, and openly threatened the formation
new organization Less than week after this
Ane Bronx association formed and at the
1sat meeting Of the Interborough Council. The
bronx delegates viii no doubt vote for the in
creased pensions.
:, The New-york City teachers take the stand -
ar Cross proceeds, that It is most unwise and
4oonsicerate TO demand increased pensions at a
.ne when special efforts are being made to meet
ne shortage that VIII inevitably overtake the in
s5s ne OF he pension fund e it's present sources
nose who break down before the period of re-
s~t.ernent and to permit liberal absence pro-
sss@sens, the New-York City Teachers Association
seseed to recommend ] per cent deduction from
ssarles Of teachers. The only thing that has pre-
rel-eo the contamination Of these benehcent
c.ssorex is the persistent demand of few for in
ID, II conclusion. Mr.. Gross adds that he IS thor
1gaiy in accord with the position of the associa-