The Washington herald., 1909-01-29
RETIREMENT FUND
STRONGLY URGED
Chamber of Commerce Cham
piOnS Cause Of Teachers.
BILL Is BEFORE CONGRESS
Educational Committee Recommends
that Provision BE Made for Those
Who Are superannuated, or Be
come Incapaciaated by Disease.
supt. Stuart in Favor of Plan.

A number Of representatives OF civic
organizations. members Of the Chamber
Of Commerce and the board Of education
were before the educational committee OF
the Chamber Of Commerce last even
ing for the purpose Of discussing the
question OF a teachers retirement fund
This measure Is one Of Importance 70
the District, and VIII be taken " BY
Congress at the present session A bill
has been prepared and presented 10 the
House BY Representative Smith, OF Michi-
san, and by Senator Gallinger in the
Senate.
The bill provides a fund for the teach
ers who retire after thirty-hve years OF
service Il says that the teacher who en-
tiers the public service. and who passes
her life in the public schools. is entitled
70 some appreciation by the public.
should BE Retired.
The board Of education claims when
the teacher becomes untitled for active
service under the present system. it does
not feel il should put the teacher out
Of the school. and that some channel
should De opened by which she could be
retired
All these facts and many more were
presented TO the educational committee,
and it was the general opinion OF those
present that the teacher is entitled 10
some consideration. and should be eligible
to a retirement list. as are hremen. police
men. and soldiers. because she has played
as important a part in the country as any
OF these.
The bill provides that the government
pay one-half OF the fund. which viii
probably amount to $4,000 annually The
teachers would be called upon to furnish
L per cent Of their salary the first year.
II Der cent the second year, and for the
next ten years ? Der cent
The teachers OF the District have been
consulted. and al willingly consent 10
the proposed contribution. The law is in
effect in some. OF the larger cities. In
New York City, II is stated 90 teachers
were retired last year under similar pro-
visions.
Measure Important.
". Y. Cox, member OF the beard OF
education. discussed the question at great
length. and showed the necessity Of such
a law by painting a word-picture OF how
important q measure It is to the teachers.
He said there has been some dispute as
10 whether the teachers OF the District
are as well qualified as some Of the
teachers Of other States and cities This
question has arisen because OF the fact
that the school system Of Washington
is practically young as compared with
those elsewhere. He declared they are as
well qualified as others, and should re-
ceive like benefits
Mr. Cox brought with him considerable
data and information in the form OF arti-
cles showing the list OF teachers in the
public schools Of Washington ard their
length Of service. He said number OF
Congrsssmen represent cities and States
where the proposed system is now in
use. and he believed this would II a
measure have some effect upon the legis-
lative body of the country when the bill
comes up for passage. The bin was
favorably reported on by the Commits
sioners more than a year ago, and they
consider it a measure that should be
supported by the citizens in general
Forty Teachers Affected.
II this bill is passed. there are about
forty teachers at present in the schools
OF Washington who would be retired be
cause Of physical disability. Among these
are included some who have sacrificed
their health In the schooIroom. The pro-
posed law would not &c into effect for
one year in order to give time to accu-
mulate the necessary fund.
Mrs l. Hill, president Of the wonnen's
College Club and a member OF the board
Of education, emphasized the remarks OF
the first speaker Her long experience
in the public schools has given her
wide knowledge Of the reeds OF the teach
ers.
A number OF letters from teachers were
read by her. in which they manifested
interest in the proposed movement. and