The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1904-12-29

association.
Miss Mary Theresa Friedel rendered
a violin solo. A social in the gymna-
SUM concluded the evenings session.
Professor Weissert furnished music.
At the morning session the various de-
partments held separate sessions.
Principal Thomas J. Bissell, of Charlie
on street school, Newark, and Miss Eliz-
abeth A. Allen, of Jersey City, plunged
the meeting Of the retirement fund de-
partment into disorder by the introduc-
tion of differences about the work done
by the department 1t had been rumored
for some time that the fund was bank
rupt and Principal Bissel had expressed
the desire to investigate matters.
Immediately after the reading of the
treasurer's report Mr.. Bissell questioned
to what fund of the department he pro-
ceeds of the various entertainments were
given. Mrs. Susan G. Marvin, president
of the department, answered that the
money was well used in the endowment
fund.-
Il never saw the annual report which
is supposed to be issued by the retirement
department, and never knew they could
be hadY
Mrs. Marvin assured him that they
could be had at the City Superintendent's
Office at any time, and so did some of the
other members.
/ am anxious that the Legislature of
the State force every teacher to become
a member of the fund. There is wide
spred dissatisfaction, however, among
the teachers, and I have no doubt that
this is caused by the fact that so little
is understood about the work. The only
way to clear matters about the fund is to
investigate and agitate the matter. |
don't think it fair that if some one asks
for a thing that he should be rudely
treated for it. / have never said that
1 should like to withdraw, but others
have said so. And this dissatisfaction
comes to me from the teachers. | think
there ought to be an investigation.
1--WE have never refused to give any
information about the fund, responded
Mrs. Marvin.
"Does the State treasurer have. con-
troll of this department" asked Mr.. Bis
sell.
aNo. this is a distinct feature an
swered Mrs. Marvin.
Il am trying to do my sincere duty as
chairman of the enrolment committee"
continued Mr.. Bissell, Il certainly would
members in the association recently
Miss Vanderbeek explained that many
members do not take enough interest in
the matter to ask for a report, conse-
quently there is such ignorance displayed
Il keep no record of my expenses in
connection with this fund.-" said Mrs.
Marvin, and as for Miss Allen, she has
spent thousands of dollars for this fund. :"
Mr.. Bissell shows a most lamentable
ignorance of the law" said Miss Allen.
The report issued every year will show
just exactly what is being done for the
fund Reports of the fund have also
been. sent to the State Board of Educa-
ton.
There seems to be wilful shutting
of eyes to these facts. In spite of the
i fact that it has been rumored that the
fund is bankrupt, we have been success
| full
i have also heard that the officials of
the retirement fund are accused of hav-
| ing regular dinners served at their meet
ings at the expense of the fund.-" said
Miss Nreeland. Il might say here that
the said dinners are paid for by the Off
cials of the fund personally .
II should think people would. have
more common sense than to say that, "
i
said Mrs. Marvin.
Since there is such feeling of dis
tinct success said Mr.. Bissell, is there
any objection to having some disinter-
ested party investigate the fund. 1t
seems to me that this would boom the
fund and be of benefit"
| 'There is no objection to an investiga-
tion," said Mrs. Marvin.
81 also think that such an investiga-
ton would meet with no objection" said
Mrs. Crater, of Newark, but | hardly
think it necessary because everything
that is done by the officials is done ac-
/ cording to the plans provided"
IF questions are in order,7 said Miss