Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-11-03
TEACHERS PENSION BILL.
Many Expressions of Opinion But No
 Definite Action Taken.

The teachers and principals of tile public schools have not determined whether or not they wish to be retired on a pension after serving certain period. They held meeting yesterday in the High school auditorium to de- eide this matter and came to no con- clusion. Some of them seemed afraid it was bnnco game and asked what guarantee had they that the provisions of the bill would affect them after their many years of chipping in. Yet most of them, particularly those who have been teaching some time, flavor the idea and admit it must be good thing since it is in operation elsewhere with good results. Notwithstanding that they had time to consider the bill, no definite expression of opinion was given. They had not come prepared to take action to that extent and it IS very probable that series of meetings will be held before that end is reached. No one i'll particular represented the bill, nor was there any concerted op- position to It. From the trend of opip- ion expressed, at the meeting at least, it would be hard to say that there was any opposition at all to it.
 It is understood, or felt, rather, that the younger teachers oppose it never theless. If so, they did not do so at the meeting. And their inferred oppo- sition is said to be based on the nat uraI expectations that they will be raised above the necessity of the re- uuirements of the bill before they would be affected by it's proposed bene- fits.
 Objections were raised to the sug- gested management of the fund, which would leave the teachers in the minor ity. It was said that as the teachers salaries is the main avenue of income upon which the fund shall exist, it is but fair that they should form the ma jority of the board of trustees. The bill proposes to assess each teacher one per cent of her salary, and principals and superintendent the same, up to the amount of $1,200. Teachers also allowed them for illness. So it at once becomes evident that the teachers are the main source of support to the fund. Upon being retired teacher shall be pensioned off upon one-half the salary she received at the time of her retire ment.
 The lowest salary paid to teacher in Waterbury's schools is $400 for the first year and the average amount that would be paid by any teacher to tine fund would be about $6 a year.
 One teacher asked what guarantee had they that the fund would be in existence at the end of, thirty years, and she was informed, it is said, that no more guarantee could be given than what any insurance company gives. which is no guarantee at all
 Another asked if fhe bill would be presented to the legislature if it met with the combined opposition of the teachers and the answer was that ir would be presented anyway. Super fntendent Tinker gave the answer.
 It isSnow said that this is a very pc culiar statement, because if the bill is intended as benefit why should it be pushed down the throats of those d. rectIy concerned if they do not endorse it.
 It is said that all the teachers admit the idea is a good Fone, but that It needs change of dress.
 The result of the meeting was the ap- pointment of the following as a com mittee: Principals B. F. Fitzpatrick, s. W. Wiibv. Robert K. Platt, Thomas J, .Condon, Ella c. Bossidy, Anna E. Cairns, Frances l.. Anderson and Az nes c. Fitzpatrick. These were ap- pointed to consider the project and con- fer with the teachers. The next meet ing. will he called by the chairman of this committee.
 MT Tinker said to-day at the meet ing he read off each paragraph and asked for comments, and tlfat some were made favorable and some rather The teachers did isst fully understand the bill, he said and the object of the meeting was to ex- plain it in every detail. Of course, he said, it would be impossible to expect all would he entirely pleased with it The objections, he said, were merely slight ones and easily removable. and with little dressing up he expected the bill would meet the favor of all
 Principal Fitzpatrick said the bill was very liberal. indeed, far more so than the teachers pension bill in New York. where they were fighting for years before they succeeded in getting it passed hy the legislature.
 It was said by others, who did not care to be mentioned in connection v xr AL