Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-02-12

FOR TEACHERS
TO Be SOUGHT
Proposes Constitutions
al Amendment Pro-
viding Pension Aft
err 80 Years

Old age compensation for teachers
who have served for thirty years in
the public schools, colleges or uni
versitics OF Texas is proposed in a
resolution prepared by VI. II. Hall,
be presented to the legislature this
week.
The resolution calls for a consti-
tutional amendment which will en-
power the legislature to pass the
necessary measures to provide COM
pcnsation.
The Cameron county attorney will
leave Wednesday night for Austin,
and the resolution is expected to be
presented in the lower house the lat
ter part of the week.
The resolution provides that only
teachers who have served thirty con-
secutive years would be eligible to
compensation, and the measure
which Is expected to be passed in
the event the constitutional amend
ment is adopted, will carry many
features of the pension provisions
adopted by leading railroads and in
11eAA-GA N@bADAlGAlltGnN2 VI tuG GQuu-
try.
States which have adopted old age
compensation for teachers include
New Jersey, which took the initia-
tive in this class Of legislation,
Illinois. New York and California.
Several other states provide modi-
lied forms Of state pensions; and
other states have passed laws grant
ing to cities or school districts the
power 10 levy tax for such pur-
pose.
There is not a teacher in the
United States who Is not underpaid
in proportion To the qualifications
expected Hall said in discussing
the proposed constitutional amend
ment. land rs a result few OF them
remain in the profession more than
a few years. Also, there is a ten
dency on the part of other states to
secure the best talent Texas possess
ses by offering more attractive sal
aries.
Il believe hat any person who
has given thirty years Of his or her
life to educational work in the pub
az c1NUOA1H NUAtEECc VI 0UASCloAtACo
Of the state is entitled to retire
with compensation. Under the pres
ent system there is no incentive for
educators to remain in the profess
sion. BY many it is regarded
merely a stepping stone to some
thing better. Each year Texas loses
thousands OF it, most able teachers
merely because the profession holds
SO little for the future.
81 believe the people Of Texas
would be almost unanimous for
adoption of n constitutional amend
ment giving the legislature the au-
thority 70 reward those who have
devoted the best years Of their
lives 70 educational work. The PEN
sion system Of the railroads and
major industries have established a
precedent which should be extended
10 the state government. IL Is only
Justice to the teachers 10 give them
the assurance that after they hsvs
served Texas thirty years, they will
be taken rare Of"
Mr.. Hall pointed out that in re-
cent years many a. the leading edu-
Gators or Texas have gone to other
states, having been attracted by the
more generous salaries or other Of
fers. He holds the view that II the
state assured them compensation
few of the men and women who
have served in Texas schools would
be attracted by { Oh offers. I'M
der present. conditions. he said. they
are compelled to seek the highest
salaries IN order 70 saw sufficient
upon which 70 retire when they no
longer can perform their duties In
The school