New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-20
Law CHANGE TO AID
TEACHERS PENSION
Plan to Increase COntribu-
tons to Fund by Pro-
posed Legislation.
SALARY RAISE TAKEN
INTO CONSIDERATION
Retirement Board Alarmed Over
Prospect of Losing Miss
M. A. Curtis.

To devise WAYS and means OF meeting
the increasing demand upon the teachers
pension fund the members OF the retire
ment board and a number OF city OFFICIALS
met yesterday morning at the ONCE Oh
Controller Prendergast and conferred TOT
two hours. Afterward one OF the mem
bers OF the board said:
1--WE are making plans TO have the laws
regulating the teachers pension fund
changed 10 allow for the new conditions
that have arisen since the salaries OF the
women teachers have been Increased. we
have enough money on hand and coming
In 10 carry the fund along until January
1915. with balance Of $4,000 or THIS
amount $4,000 is the permanent fund'
and cannot be touched. The remainder
will be sufficient to meet the pension de-
mands for January, 1915, and by Feoru-
airy we hope TO have legislation passed
which will enable us 10 meet the new con-
ditlons.
I'VE will be able 10 retire fifty teachers
next September, pay all anrulties aho
refund about s2Oo.oOO to absent teachers
the contribution from salaries TO the fund
from the present per cent to between
and 10 per cent. IT may also make the
conditions of retirement more strict.
Among those who were present were
Controller Prendergast. Deputy Con-
troller Hervey. City Chamberlain Bruere
T. w. Churchill. president Of the Board
OF Education: William r. Maxwell CITY
Superintendent of Schools: the clty's ex-
pert accountants and the members OF the
retirement board.
The members OF the retirement board
are alarmed at the prospect or losing
Miss Mary A. Curtis. principal OF Scnooi
20. The Bronx, whose term as a
member of the board IS about to expire.
She has been a member since the board
was organized in 1905, but a movement is
now on foot to replace her. When meet
ings were held in the forty-six school
districts OF the city last Thursday after
noon to select delegates to elect her sue
cessor. thrty-fve OF the delegates CHOSEN
were teachers and only eleven principals.
Usually the preponderance is the other
that the teachers feel that their rights
are I'm danger and that they intend 10
have a teacher take Miss curtis's place
The convention to elect her successor VIII
be held at the Board Of Education al
East 10Th st. and Park av., at o'clock
Thursday afternoon
"As Lincoln said. IT Is dangerous 10
change horses crossing a stream saiu
the member OF the retirement poalu
quoted above. Miss Curtis is Thoroughly
acquainted with the working of the pen
sion system. and 1t would be poor policy
TO replace her just at this time, when We
need all the experience we possess t'
handle the situation"
The board is at present made up OF t''
City Superintendent. the President OF III
Board OF Education. two members OF IN
Board OF Education and three principals
Miss Curtis, Miss Josephine Rogers prH
cipal OF Public School 81. Manhattan
and Lyman 4. Best, principal OF Puoi'
School III. Brooklyn. Since 1t has peer
in existence more than 100000 has beer
paid out through it TO the teachers IN 'h'
form Of annuities and sick benefits.