Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-02-14

niltteeman in this state" declared Mr..
fefklhs, who does not believe That
more good would come from using this
SZo'VVo Tor teachers pensions than in
any other way. If ] We're asked my
OPINION as to how s25, 900 could be best
expended Tor the schools of Maine, /
"ould unhesitatingly declare that this
S25,wlo should be appropriated for the
worn out. worthy teachers.
Iris bill has been unanimously
endorsed ty the school board of Port
land. / was commissioned to draw up
the strongest resolution ! could in sup
I port of tie me asure, and the reason /
| have not done so. is because ] feared
l could not make it strong enough. +"
Harry M. eigelow.
Harry M. Bigelow. editor Of the
Portland Press was called upon and
gave a short. but eloquent speech in
support of pensions. "As one of the
citizens of Maine" he said, II take
this opportunity of expressing my APP
probation Of the manner ir which this
committee has performed its duties.
When this Legislature adinurns, the
people of the State of Maine viii be I'M
der obligations to them for the faith
full, impartial way in which they have
acted.
ITO me this whole matter is cold
blooded business proposition. The one
thing for rs TO do, if possible, is To ele-
Yate the teaching profession Of Maine
SO that we may change it from the
avocation which it is now considered
to vocation. If we can do this. we
can attract 10 our State the bright
Young minds that we need. There are
three ways in which this is now be
ing done. BY vocational training in
our normal schools. by the attempt L.
increase the remuneration of teachers
and third and most important to pro-
vide a pension system in line with
what has beer adopted in other states
This would attract the best minds
from other states and increase eff
cience.
Judge w. X. Newell.
Former Judge of Probate w. X.
Newell Of Lewiston said that his
teaching had terminated, thirty years
ago, but he had a soft spot in his
heart for the underpaid teachers in
Maine. He represented, he said. the
teachers of Lewiston and business men
who thought that the pay of teachers
was a disgrace to the State. Efficien
cy would be created by the thought OF
a pension coming To the teachers. His
city he said would approve Of the APP
preparation of 1925, 900 to start the good
proposition.
f. F. Coan of Houlton presented
what he said was n message of the
progressive county of Aroostook, where
they paid larger salaries to teachers
than elsewhere in Maine and where
business people were in favor of larg-
er salaries and pensions. The present
salaries were the cause of men and
women of high standards of education
from entering the educational field
The chairman suggested that DR..
Alley of the University of Maine had
told the committee, recently, that be-
cause of the on-pension system in
vogue that they were forced to pay
larger salaries and Mr.. Coan replied
that there We're now more opportuni-
ties and more applicants for positions,
but that his county of Aroostook led
all the rest in paying good salaries.
N. T. Hooper.
n. T. Hooper Of Portland. president
of the Merchants Association, endors-
ed the bill as a good business PROPOSE
ton and said that Maine should not
be classed as the 10Th in the list of
states which pay small salaries
Rev. n. A. Clifford.
Rev. II. \. Clifford OF winthrop, who
was, he said. member of the teaching
profession for many years, created
| amusement when he remarked: You
| are toadying to the summer visitors
who often leave us nothing but whis-
Key bottles strewn along our high
ways This is not cold blooded
proposition, but a warm blooded one.
John f. Cone of Brunswick district
| superintendent of Brunswick and
Topsham, favored the bill and said
| that he represented the best business
| interests of both towns for pensions
| for teachers
| Miss Addie CoehIin.
a most fervent earnest plea for pen
sions was made by Miss Addie Cogh-
lin of Roekland. After speaking of the
| great influence the teacher has ON the
| life of community, she remarked that
| legislator had referred to the teach
| ers pensions as a charity.
And, gentlemen, this is q charity
| If teachers are to continue to teach
children a less than living wage. We
are asked how we make our living
viii tell you; il is by working for our
board in the summer and standing be-
hind counters. This Is a charity 1t is
charity to you and your children and
the children of the great State of
Maine"
G. WaIdron Smith.
One of the most stirring speeches of
the afternoon was made by G.. Wadron
Smith of Portland. What increases eff
fciency in business" he said. lis bust
ness. Anything that will increase the
efficiency of a business is good business.
The more contented the mind, the better
the service. If the minds of these good
teachers are made eontented, then their
minds. and heart and work will be of a
cleaner and higher sort"
Mr. Smith referred 10 the recent Boys
conference in Portland, at which 1900
lads from all over Maine were present.
"TheSe are part of the asset of the State