Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-10
MEASURE BEFORE HOUSE
Favorable Report From Committee
Receives Strong Support.
ITS PROVISIONS EXPLAINED
Action Prevented by Lack of Tima
for Consideration-Mem in
Animated Debate.

The school teachers retirement bill was
considered by the House of Representa-
ives Tor several hours Yesterday Had
not lively fight on the rules developed
Immediately after the body met at noon
the entire day would have been given
over to District business, and the retire.
ment bill. amended and perfected, prob
ably would have been passed But as a
result of the rules row the District didn'r
get show until O'clock and while the
House sat later than usual adjourntns
about 630, there was not sufficient time.
In view Of the decided opposition ex-
pressed by Representative Mann OF Iui-
nois and other members to complete con-
sideration of the retirement measure
Representative ]. Van Vechten Olcote
OF New York was i'm charge of the bill
Tor the District committee, and he was
severely criticised. incidentally, by MIR.
Mann FOR not knowing more of the details
OF the subject. Mr.. Mann's principal OBJ
lection to the bill in its present form was
expressed i'm his contention that adequate
provision for raising the fund necessary
to pay teachers annuities Is not contained
i'm the measure.
Mr.. Olcott Explains Provisions.
committee of the whole and Chairman
Smith of the District committee had
called up the bill. Mr.. Olcott made a gem
eral explanation of its provisions
Teachers have been and are SO
poorly paid" said Mr.. Olcott, that ie
is impossible for them to save COM
petence for old age In the United
States the average salary of teachers.
as shown by report of the bureau OF
education following a careful inquiry
into the subject, is less than that OF
Mr.. olcott then read a table. which
Will be printed in the Record. showing
that in 1901 the average salary paid
TO teachers. including high school prin-
cipais and heads of departments in
wa, Masninston' nn was was s6a!,s; in lsos.
s7Os.O7; in 1905. s7s2as: in 1905.
s734.51 in 1907. sS12.3I; in 1908.
sSs25s in 1909. ss7s.4a. and in 1910.
"As can he seen," Mr. Olcott continued,
the average salary paid TO teachers ir
washington was about $500 in 1910 Iu
many cities the maximum of salaries fot
| high school teachers is greater than in
Washington. For instance, il is $500 iH
Albany; $1,000. i'm Boston: $500. in Chi-
cago: 5000. in Cleveland. with special
salaries to superior teachers above that
figure: $500 in Hartford, Con-: $500 in
$500. i'm Newark, n. j.: $1,000. i'm New-
ton. Mass. $500. i'm New York; 5000. in
Philadelphia; s2,472. i'm st. Louis. and
s2,4Oo. in Worcester. In Washington the
maximum salary is 5000, and only seven
teachers here get that amount
Results Pointed Out.
LAS result of this condition. super
animated teachers are on the rolls who
should be retired on a pension for tha
benefit of the pupils.
Mr.. Olcott told the House that there
are now teachers pension systems I'm
thirty-one states.
Maryland and Rhode Island" he said,
pension all teachers of the state with
state funds without any contribution bv
teachers Other states provide that their
municipalities shall pay an amount equal
to the teachers contribution or one and
one-half times the amount. in Omaha,
or a percentage of the excise tax as iI
New York Albany and Troy.
"A better and more usual method D. to
set aside a certain percentage of the
school or property tax, as in Indianap-
oils. l cent on SlW: Boston, cents on
81 600: Minneapolis and ST. Paul. one
tenth mill on taxable property; Cincin-
natl. Columbus. Cleveland, l per cent OF
school tax: Charleston. 10 per cent the
first five years, then per cent of school
TAX. AilWduheS, per cent OF StnObl
fund. The teacher usually pays from |
to > per cent of his salary.
Average Annuity.
The annuity is from 5000 10 si,5oo-
$1,000 or. generally. one-half of the
average annual salary FOR the preceding
five years New Jersey pays six
tenths. The highest maximum is In New
York. s1,J0O-$2,0Oo.
The time of retirement is usually
thirty years. without disability, and in
many instances twenty-five years. With
disability the annuity is usually proper
tionate after five. fifteen or twenty
years"
Mr.. OIcott then explained the sources
of the fund from which It is proposed
to pay the pensions.
."rhe sources of the fund under this
bill" said Mr.. Olcott, come principally
from the appropriation Of 1l2 per cent
on the entire salary list of teachers em-
ployed In schools of the District, and.
secondly by the deduction of Ia per
cent from the salary of the teachers.
Mr.. Olcott explai lined that the COM
mittee intended to offer an amendment
so that any teachers desiring to be re-
lieved from participation in the FUND
can file a certificate to that effect and
avoid contribution.
Favorable Action Urged.