Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-11-03

public schools OF to-day ANS te"oo"'y
to rush" tho work; to limit study by the
minute hand of the clock and 10 'urn ou'
the scholars at n given time regardless OF
their ability to cope with the problems OF
the state and nation or even tho more
simple problem of obtaining decent live
lhood.
The speakers words were not hatterins
TO the teachers or the principals. but II
was evident that tho points struck home
from the winks and mods that passed
among those In the audience as certain
fea lures wore dwelt upon by Mr.. Spauld.
Ing.
PENSIONS FOR TEACHERS.
Not the Toast important subject Of the
morning and one that was Of vital inter.
est to the teachers was that considered
by Superintendent q. I. Aidrich of Brook.
Iine, Mass. who spoke on "Retiremcn,
Fund for Teachers"
This subject is one that is receiving
world wide attention and Mr.. Aldricf
handled 1t In the only possible way, sim
ply and directly. He had but a few points
to drive homo but these were registered
with telling effect and tho impression the
tea cheers received was convincing
by way Of preface Mr.. Aldrich stated
that there was u grea, difference OF opin.
Ion between Britons and Americans as
regards pensions. The royal way, said
the speaker, In which service to tho coun.
try is rewarded In Great Britain is look.
ed upon with wonder in America TIL,
American idea. It seems. Is not that tn,
employee Of the government Is conferrint
a favor upon his country by his labor bu
is rather having n favor conferred upor
him.
Mr. Aldrich in reaching the problem OF
pensions for teachers called attention tc
the fact that Americans are becoming q
little more tolerant in this matter Of pen
sions. in that fremen, policemen and EN-
ployes Of railroads are now being pen
stoned. But Americans, generally. sait
Mr. Aldrich. have oeen apprehensive thai
the pension system IN civil life would be.
come general.
Railroads, said Mr. Aldrich. do not in.
stall pension systems out OF sentiment
There remains then some reason why
pensions are u good investment.
The great problem then is to modify
American sentiment toward pensions un.
til 1t becomes more tolerant and until tina,
sentiment can be embodied in tangible
| legislation. The question then, said MIR
Aldrich. is how this can best be accom-.
plished.
1t cannot be done through sentimental
| arguments such as the large amount OF
time and capital required to prepare fol
teaching: nor can it be done by the argu
ment Of years of service and small salary
The hardheaded business man will an.
swer these arguments by saying thai
there are many classes who work harder
| and longer for smaller pay.
! The one and only telling argument, sa Id
Mr. Aldrich, that can be successfully used
! is that the welfare of the nation is al
| stake. prudent governing board Of
any corporation or institution will make
provision for a retiring fund. said the
speaker. because 1t will attract efficien,
| men and women into the service. There
fore the whole matter Of pensions for
teachers rests upon this argument
BY means OF the pension system the
right stamp Of men and women will be
induced to come into the service Of the
schools and conditions will be such that
| efficiency will not be hampered by
| thoughts OF the morrow and the needs i,
may bring.
In conclusion. the speaker said that
| these things. while expensive, are worth
| paying for. The educational current will
be cloeged, he said, II the way Is not
| kept open to pension people who haNt
reached the end OF efficient service.