Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-11

nut at no other time If q teachers re-
urement has been less than a full /
quarter, his or her annuity for that
quarter will be in proportion of the |
length of time retired: e. &, teacher |
who retired Jan 81, would receive /
Tor that quarter, due April / (pro- I
yfded all other requirements Of the law
had been fultilled) two-thirds of $780, /
"A teacher who has taught 25 years, |
but is not so years of age. may retire.
paying all back assessments and I'M
terest thereon, but may not receive the
annuity until the age OF 90 years has |
been attained. !
Residence Requirement.
"A teacher must be a resident of /
Illinois in order to become an annuit>
ant, but each requirement is not nee
essary in order to become a contribu
tor. II the heading of the application
blank contains the word illinois"
line may be drawn through the word
and the correct word inserted The
new blanks will be printed leaving va
cant the space for the name of the
state.
The above mentioned topics were
discussed and ruled upon at the first
meeting OF the board of trustees. which
was held Jan. 6 and Z Francis G.
Blair, state superintendent of public
instruction, was elected president of
the board, and d. F. Nichols was en-
gagged as secretary. In addition to the
discussion Of several sections of the
law, much discussion was held as to
the best administrative methods. Mem
bers Of the board are unit in the de-
| sire to conduct the business and to
award annuities in strict accordance
with the requirements of the law No
matter how much our sympathies may
/ be stirred, no matter how much we
may wish to administer the law in
/ such a way as to aid those whom we
! know to be worthy and unfortunate,
1t remains our duty to conduct the
system absolutely as the law directs.
Any deviation from strict business
methods in order TO do an individual
| kindness would, in the end, be an in
justice to many others who are leg
ally qualified to receive the benefits
of the law. The fund must be con-
served and protected for those who
benefits. The teachers pension and
retirement fund is not a public char
ity, but a sound business concern and
as such must be conducted according
TO sound business principles.
Law Must Be Guide.
Viewed from this standpoint, no
reasonable person will feel aggrieved
over the decisions of the board Of
trustees In making rulings of inter-
probation and legality, the board is in
frequent communication with Attorney
General p. j. Lucey, and must accept
his decisions.
Il take this opportunity to say that
| appreciate the confidence placed in
me and the honor bestowed upon me.
This honor is overShadowed only by
the great responsibilities of the posi-
ton. 1t is one thing to secure the
enactment of law and quite another
thing to put the law into operation,
establishing it upon a financial basis
that will stand the test of time and
of business demands.
We urge for the future the same
loyalty to and support Of the law that
were the inspiration of the active cam
/, paigners in securing its enactment.
i, Legislation alone can not save the
world nor even remedy materially its
, weakness The only legislation that
. will raise the standard of social ser
vice is that legislation which is the
elimination OF public opinion and pub
lie demand And when legislation is
, such a elimination the public will
evermore stand back of the law, lend
ing the strong arm of support to its
I administration"
| Chief Points of the Law.
Twenty-Five years of service, Is in
Illinois.
Age must be so years.
, Assessment of s400 with four per
cent interest for experienced teachers,
assessments as follows: First class,
S. year the first 10 years of service
second class, 500 a year the next five
| years Of service; third class, $50 a
= year the next 10 years of service.
= Teachers who were in the profession
= July l, 1915, may elect to come in or
e not, before Sept. 1, 1920.
!, A state appropriation Of one-tenth
g Of mill for each dollars worth OF
r taxable property of the state, except
l cities of more than $4,000 population.
Annuity Of $500.
s Disability annuity After Is years OF
} service, teacher suffering from dis
= ability may retire Thy paying the full
assessment of $500 with interest il