The Washington herald., 1911-12-23
CHAMBER TO BACK
RETIREMENT FUND
Business Men Will Support
Teachers Project.

That the school-teachers Of the District
are to have the backing of the Chamber
OF Commerce in their efforts to procure
the establishment OF a retirement fund
by Congress became evident last night at
a meeting of the subcommittee of the
Chamber having under consideration the
resolutions introduced in the Senate and
House
After voicing expressions Of approval
of the proposed retirement fund and dis
cussing the resolutions pro and con, the
members of the committee unanimously
decided to request a hearing before the
Commissioners after the holidays and ask
why the Commissioners have not affixed
their approval to the resolutions.
One DissentInE Voice.
Chairman Arthur Ramsay. in opening
the meeting, said:
II have heard many asserting voices
concerning these resolutions providing a
retirement fund for the teachers of the
public schools. The only dissenting voice
has been in an editorial in a Washing
ton newspaper. 1 have carefully read
and considered the editorial, and find it
is not fair.
The editorial disapproves the contribu-
worded as to give wrong impression,
stating that IL the measure becomes a
law the teachers will be required legally
to save a part of their earnings. and
that some teachers will be compelled to
contribute toward the support of others
whom they do not know and in whom
they have no interest All who are IA
miliar with the provisions of the reso-
luton know this is not strictly true.
70 IN, ~ Com
gress has declared himself In favor of
retirement fund on the contributory
plan. The President has given the
question much thought and serious con-
sideration. The board of education. l
understand. has indorsed the measure
and public opinion seems almost unani-
nous in favor of the resolutions"
President w. T. Galliher. of the
American National Bank, spoke in IA
vor of the resolutions. He pointed out
that the resolutions provide for an an
nuity fund and a permanent fund, the
latter consisting of gifts, legacies, do
nations, bequests, and tuition fees of
nonresident pupils. He said:
This permanent portion of the retire
ment fund would not only be increased
by any contributions Congress might
make but by private donations, for the
affection engendered between teacher and
pupil does not cease when they stop
meeting daily in the classroom, but Of
ten continues to the end OF life. Some
of these pupils obtaining a substantial
financial position in the world in latter
years, probably would care to remember
the teacher who won their affection in
childhood"
The Ultimate Result.
Speaking in favor of the proposed bill,
Topham said that il the
resolution is passed a ball will be started
rolling which will ultimately result in
some provision of great benefit to the
1T is a well-known fact" he said, that
Il is more simple to amend and improve
legislation than to enact new legislation.
| believe that II this resolution is passed
now any defects can be remedied 50 that |
the teachers will derive the benefits which |
It is desired they shall have" |
The committee agreed that the passage |
of the retirement fund measure will mean |
Increased efficiency" among the teach |
La