Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-22
MR.. BLACKMAR FAVORs
TEACHERS PENSION
SUPERINTENDENT OF OTTUMWA
SCHOOLS REPLIES TO CRITIC
OF PENDING BILL

Superintendent H. e. Blackmar Of
the Ottumwa public schools has writ
ten letter to the legislative commit
tees now considering the bill to pro
vide teachers pensions in which ne
makes reply to teacher who objected
to the proposed measure. This teach
er in Directing declared the pension
bill to to be an aim to rob 80 per cent
|of the teachers and all of the people
for the benefit of 10 per cent Of the
teachers, and tax on everybody to
pay the BILL" It was also stated by
this complainant that the average
teaching time of a teacher is less than
five years, that 80 per cent never In
tend to make teaching profession,
and that the legislature should in
crease the facilities for training teach
ers and increase their salaries and
not heed the pleas of few grafters."
Superintendent Blackmar in reply to
this complaint says in his letter to
the legislative committees:
II have read statements in the
papers concerning the great number
of letters that are being written to
members of the legislature in support
of the teachers pension bill, and I
should not have added to your burden
if the the objection from teacher
which is outlined In the enclosed clip
ping had not come to my attention.
This teacher seems to represent
type, all too common in the schools,
who engage in the work of teaching
to get all they can and
give as little as possible in return.
hoS mo 1yo 70 ro
for their work either before beginning
or during its progress because their
purpose is only to earn little money
for some special purpose and teaching
seems to be the easiest way to get 1t.
There is no one else connected with
the public schools to whom the term
CRATER can be SO fittingly applied.
"The fact pointed out that the av-
srage term of service in the schools
s too short and that such large per-
,entage of the whole teaching force is |
,nly waiting for some other field of |
abor or of opportunity to open is re-
,arded as the most serious obstacle !
n the way of the best service of the |
schools to the community. Every one
Who thinks seriously of the work of
education realizes that some effective |
means should be employed to make
eaching more permanent and a
more efficient profession, and many
educators who have the responsibility
# selecting and training teachers be-
ieve that a wise pension system will
lelp to promote this aim. Compare
lively few teachers will ever share d.
ectly in the benefits of the pension
und but the measure of security
against distress in case of misfortune
,r cid age will stimulate many teach
RS to continue in the work and to con.
ribute more fully of their life and
mercy to the cause of education.
ITO the temporary teacher the
mall assessment is not a serious
urden and few of these teachers know
o what length this supposed temper
ny employment may be- prolonged.
III the bill which is now before your
ommittee for consideration becomes a
aw I believe experience will prove
hat the very moderate tax required
or it's operation is not charity but
wise investment that will be re-
urned in the improved service of the
chools to the community"