The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1905-05-19
PENSION FUND
WANTS MONEY
Miss Elizabeth G. Allen
Talks to Essex Teachers
On the Retirement
Question.
TENURE or OFFICE URGED
Mrs. Andrew J. Newbury De-
plores the Low Salaries
Paid to Jersey
Instructors

Discussions as to salaries, the retire.
ment fund and length Of service were
again brought before the teachers Of Es-
sexCounty, at their regular meeting in
the Frelinghuysen room of the I NJ g.
A. building in Newark, last night Miss
Elizabeth A. Allen, who WIS present as
a guest, was called upon to address the
guild: She placed before them in plain
language the absolute necessity for more
money with which to support the retire
ment fund. She dwelt particularly upon
Andrew Carnegies recent gift Of $10,-
000,.00 to the college professors PEN
sion fund, and stated that Carnegie echo
ed what the teachers had been preach
ing for the last fifteen years. Miss Allen
said in part:
sWe are going to give the largest re-
tirement to those who nave received the
smallest salaries. 1t. is a pleasure TO
give it to teachers who have taught in
the small country schools of New Jersey
for years, and to know that they viii re-
ceive pensions almost as large as their
salaries.
After eight years Of persistent nght-
ing, the State appropriated the money
which is now used to carry on the fund,
and it is now in your hands to increase
this fund. BY January, 1906, it must
reach 100000.
More important than salaries Is the
tenure Of service for principals and
teachers. Once your position is secure
by law which says you cannot be re-
moved from service unless your case IS
justly proven, you have gained the point
which the teachers of New York struck
out for and succeeded in getting. They
are receiving salaries that are really
salaries because they stood for their
rights. It is because we haven't stood
for our rights that we have fallen in
public estimation
In regard to the appointment Of the
commission of inquiry want to say. SO
that you viii not misunderstood its
meaning, that it was appointed pursu-
ant to resolution offered by myself.
The object Of the commission is to in
quire carefully into existing teachers
pension and retirement annuity systems
in the United States with a view to dis
covering in what respects, if any, the
New Jersey Teachers Retirement Fund
may be strengthened and made endur-
ing.
Il want TO correct a representation
that is finding voice The Teachers' Re-
tirement Fund is not a system of State
PENSIONS but it Is a magnificent contri-
button of New Jersey teachers to the
efficiency Of New Jerseys public school
system. We have not asked State aid
We de not want State aid but we do
want the good will Of the educational
and administrative authorities. z
Mrs. Andrew J. Newbury, who was
guest Of honor, spoke also Of the small
compensations which fhe teachers of
New Jersey received for their services.
She said: 4 want 10 touch upon the sai-
airy question. It is something that the
club women in the State will take up and
agitate. It is most unjust to see men
receiving twice as much as women in the
teaching ranks. 1t is wrong that can
be righted, and I really think thar club
women can help the matter greatly. The
fund you have established is a great BEN
eft. Il is a worthy work, and sincere
u hope the matter win be settled to your
advantage Z
Miss Grace NJ. Duffy, tlespresislent Of
the guild, presided at the meeting.
Miss A Emily Potter. treasurer, read
her report showing i balance On hand III:
the beneficiary department Of SO .UoI
After the addresses q recepti0n was