The Washington times., 1912-11-20
URGES PENSIONS
FOR TEACHERS IN
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Superintendent Believes In
structors Should Have
l. Them.

Urging greater cooperation between
members Of the public school boards,
teachers and mothers Of school children
In order to secure better conditions for
teachers, DR.. W. NJ. Davidson, Superin-
tendent OF Public Schools. at the meet
ing OF the District branch OF the Ma
tional Congress OF Mothers, yesterday
afternoon at the Raleigh Hotel. ex-
planned the need OF providing superan-
nuated teachers with pensions In order
to secure greater efficiency In the stan.
THE question OF teachers pensions
is q question OF business mana cement"
said DIR. Davidson. The truth Of this
proposition Ia recognised by such huge
money making Institutions as the
United States Steel Corporation and the
Pennsylvania railroad, which have
established pension systems for their
employees"
Or. Davidson pointed out that out OF
the corps of 1.S0O teachers here. at least
126 have been In the service for thirty
years. about -fifty-four for thirty-five
years. and about eighteen for forty
years He pointed out that the retire.
ment OF these older teachers would en-
nance the efficiency OF the corps. since
these older teachers are not thoroughly
competent to stand the arduous and
trying work OF teaching In the public
Salaries Are Small.
The necessity for providing these
superannuated teachers with means OF
livelihood after retirement from service,
OF. Davidson pointed out. was a seri-
Gus one. He said that OF the entire corps
OF l.7S7 teachers. but 9lf Of them re-
ceive an average salary OF $742. 70 a year.
or about $40 month How can the
most exemplary thrift" said DR.. David
son, set aside from such salaries any
thing like q competence for old age?"
DR.. Davidson then showed by hgures
that 1t would be measure OF economy.
taking into account adjustment OF the
retirement fund TO enact into a law the
present bill providing pensions for re-
tired teachers. This has been done in
Boston. BuNola. Charlestown. Chicago
Cleveland. Detroit, indianapolis, Mil
waukee. Minneapolis, New York, Omaha,
Philadelphia. Poughkeeps;e, San Fran
cisco. and ST. Louis.
The principal features OF the bill now
pending before Congress were then
pointed out bv DR.. Davidson. The bill
provides that no annuity shall be greater
than si.2oo annually nor less than 5000.
IN the case OF teachers OF at least five
Ice. retirement for total incapacity Is
possible. the salary being proportioned
TO the term Of service.
Acceptance Voluntary.
Acceptance OF the retirement plan Il
voluntary in respect to teachers nov
In the service but compulsory In respec
,sb anu tmr In-. Iui, ION IeSss uf FIR
Iesident pupils and any unused baIa NO,
az the end OF the fiscal year 10 ~,
crSdit OF the annuity fund.
nm tba "nm,y innd consists of interes
U On 'ne permanent fund. one and one-hn'
per cent or tho annual approximation,
Tor teachers salaries any balance no,
70 exceed $1,000 TO the credit OF the an
propIlatons for teachers Salaries a
ihe end OF each fiscal year. contribti.
tIons from the salaries OF the teacbars
themselves and such deductions NJ ms,
toe made from the annuities granted 10
teachers who have not maid dues for
tne requisite number OF wears ,0'
oe.erminins the amounts OF as.
nent, Dr. Davidson said, experience
OF similar funds In o'hcr cities has heon
utinzed. The management OF the funds
IL dulv SafeRunrded II ia Within tbo
a,screuon OF the board of trustees TO
- S". .n an annuity 10 any teacher now
IN tne service OF the nubIIc schools who
has attained an age Of sixtv.fve zoo
Need Pension System.
Or Davidson also pointed out the
danger OF continuing the present Inn,
aaly rate without such retirenon.
iuhd ana annuity scheme as had been
proposed Under the pension system he
ssid' ,sid' many teachers who now carry on
70 somat, oi Work as a stepping stone
70 sohethinR better will cease 40 ouirt
= 20 be drawn into more highly paid
aenns,s aecas ana the public schools viii gain
Some Some OF the features of the bin now
ptSnsa ptSs netore the House are
ings oe permitted for community pmr.
poses along educational lines, The p msa
OF scn1ol buildings for lectures, public
sn,,id n %' an educational nature,
coulu hot thil TO improve the moral and
Davidson said community Dr'