Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-05
TEACHERS PENSION
BILL GETS HEARING
Is Endorsed by Officials Be-
fore House District Com
mittee Today.

Heartiest Endorsement of the Mapes
bill providing a pension system Tor
school teachers in the District OF Co
lumbia was given by the board of
education, District Commissioners. the
National Educational Association and
other social, economic and educational
organizations at hearing before the
House District committee today.
The majority of the committee
showed great sympathy with the pro-
posal, and several of the new mem
bers. including Representatives Frank
Murphy of Ohio and Edward ?. Hays
Of Missouri, asked questions whlcn IN
dicated they are anxious to improve
the conditions Of the school workers.
Grounds for Appeal.
The general grounds on which the
pension system Is urged as voiced by
speakers at the hearing are that eco
nomically the work OF an organiza-
ton is not effective unless there Is a
satisfactory method Of retiring aged
or infirm workers, with the conse-
quent freedom from anxiety concern
ing such risks. Only satisfactory
pension system, the witnesses said.
can prevent either the dismissal of
aged or infirm teachers without re-
sources or the sacrifice of the best
interests Of the schools in order to
continue the employment OF teachers
who are no longer capable.
It is pointed out that eight sys-
TENS Of pensions for teachers were
founded before 1900, twenty-three IN
the next decade and thirty-six since
the beginning of 1910. There are now
sixty-seven different systems in thir-
-nA oyY1Yo N
participate, the witness said, in pro-
viding the funds. because ii the cost
is borne by the teacher alone he can
not afford out of a small salary to
set aside enough money to purchase
adequate protection.
Mr.. Thurston Is Heard.
Ernest L. Thurston. superintendent
of schools, emphasized the capital in
vested by the teacher in time. energy,
money and training.
In reply to questions from Repre-
sentative Johnson of Kentucky. he said
that tho average salary, with bonus
and longevity, in Washington, is $1,100.
The best-paid teachers are twenty-one
in a superior group in the high schools
whose. basic pay is $1,000, which with
longevity pay runs to $4,000. In reply
to questions from Representative
johnson, he said that the teachers are
obliged to put about five and one-half
hours in the schoolroom each day, but
that this represents only ABOUT tvp-
thirds Of the time they actually nave
to devote to their profession.
He said there are two principal rea-
sons for having a pension systemic
care for the teacher In old age ana 10
promote efficiency in the educational
system by retaining the services OF en- m =
Gent teachers There are about 1850
teachers in Washington who would come
within the scope Of this bill. He stated
that many Of the teachers, particularly
the younger ones, spend much OF their
summer at their own expense In study
ing at school.
Commissioners Approve
Commissioners Brownlow and Gardi-
ner gave their heartiest approval to the
principles of the bill. They said that 1t
makes. for efficiency In building better
educational system.
They pointed out that many states
have such a pension system and that
some of them pay the entire amount
out of state funds. They said that
practically all the large industrial es-
systems, and that the big majority
pay the entire amount without calling
upon the employees for any percentage
contribution. as Is provided in the bill
for District school teachers.
Commissioner Gardiner said he
wanted to see every safeguard given
to the teachers. 50 that they will get
their pensions OF get back what they
have paid in II they retire from the
service, and he advocated direct ap-
preparation from District funds to
meet any possible deficiency.
Teachers Valuable Trust.
Mrs. Archibald Hopkins. president
of the womans branch OF the Ma
tional Civic Federation, said that to
the school teachers are intrusted the
most valuable trust, the education OF
the children. She said they could not
do effective work In the schoolrooms
II they were worried to death about
their own future. In common justice
their magnificent service should be
Recognised by a pension service. she
said.
George E. Hamilton. president of the
board of education, pointed out that
there are $4,000 children and 1000
tea cheers in the public schools of the
District, and that only three school
officials receive salaries above $4,000
Thirty-five States Have System.
Hugh s. McGill. field secretary of the
Natr~~l "'Iucatio,~:.' Associatio a