Laura Esta Settle
1929-45
As far as I know, the first organized group of retired teachers, exclusive of the San Francisco one, was the Pasadena group. On March 10, 1925, a group of nine teachers met at my Pasadena home, and the organization was made. Out of courtesy to me, as hostess, I was made chairman, a place I believe I held until I was elected president of CRTA.
Our first retirement law was passed by the 1913 Legislature and went into effect January 1, 1914. This gave us $500 annually, payable in quarterly installments of $125 which had to stretch over three months’ expenses. As I retired soon after the law was passed, I know from personal experience how hard it was to do, especially when retirement was compelled by ill health, as mine was.
I have always believed that County Superintendent Mark Keppel was the prime mover in securing this retirement. He, of course, received the assistance of Los Angeles City and other teachers and county superintendents.
In January, 1927, I contacted Mrs. Susan M. Dorsey, then Los Angeles city superintendent, to get her reaction to the formation of a retired teachers’ group in Los Angeles. She was enthusiastic about the idea and suggested Miss Vesta A. Olmstead and Miss Mary Murphy as leaders. I contacted them. Miss Olmstead says she has no memory of this, but at least they were not interested at the time.
In 1928, the Pasadena group furnished small funds to pay my expenses in an effort to form other organizations. The idea that we should ever need to work ourselves to increase our pension was ridiculed and we made but little headway.
In 1928, the CTA began agitation for a new retirement law. There were four plans formulated and active teachers throughout the State were asked to vote on the various plans, the one receiving the most votes to be presented to the 1929 Legislature. A Pasadena principal visited our little retired teachers’ organization to explain the plans and get our votes.
I began correspondence with the California Teachers’ Association Retirement Salary Committee, Mr. Gridley of Oakland being the chairman, I did not get anywhere as I had at the time only the little Pasadena group in the back of me. The Retirement Salary Committee took the stand that an increase to those already retired was unconstitutional. This point was the crux of the fight for years until at last a final winning. The fear was that active teachers would have to bear the expense of an increase to us New York City as an example.
At this time, proving that Mrs. Dorsey’s selection of teachers to head a Los Angeles group was a correct one, Vesta Olmstead began to work. With the assistance of Mary Murphy, Clara Preston and Caroline Harris, they collected money from the Los Angeles retired teachers to pay the expenses of a representative to go to Sacramento. Los Angeles teachers contributed at the rate of $5 each; Pasadena teachers contributed a small amount.
A Los Angeles retired teacher, who has always wished to remain nameless, was selected because she knew some law. We have understood that she was not well received by active teachers and some legislators, who still held the thought that retired teachers had no business meddling with retirement matters. A bill introduced by Senator Rochester called “Rochester Bill, No. 11” was passed but was vetoed by Governor Young.
By this time Vesta Olmstead was fully aroused and she called a meeting of Los Angeles and Pasadena retired teachers to meet in Sycamore Grove Park on April 24, 1929. She acted as chairman as the call was hers. The meeting was short as every motion had been previously planned. I had been asked to take the presidency. It was voted that we organize; that the term of office be two years; that semi-annual meetings be held in Sycamore Park; Vesta Olmstead was chosen treasurer and I, president; dues were made $1 annually; the sum of $15 remaining in Vesta Olmstead’s hands from her previous collections was placed in the treasury as the nucleus for operation funds.
I was called upon for a few remarks. I had no speech prepared, indeed, I had not thought of making one. Stumblingly, I accepted the work that was to last many years. I used the words, “Southern California Retired Teachers’ Association”, “Association” because dimly I saw one forming. Someone remarked, “That’s a good name,” and so the organization was called and the name has stuck throughout the years. Later the word “Southern” was dropped as the northern teachers became interested.
The group formed at this meeting has always been considered the parent group and Miss Olmstead, the mind behind it. There were 28 teachers present, a few only being from Pasadena. At the next election Vesta Olmstead was superseded by Mary Murphy as secretary and Clara Preston as treasurer. Vesta Olmstead has always been with us as advisor and counselor, but would never again take office except as a Board member in later years.
Immediately after my election, I began the work of extending the organization to other places in California, and of endeavoring to secure a place for already retired teachers on retirement bills. The reluctance to include them still persisted though the Supreme Court rendered a decision in 1929 that it was not unconstitutional for those already retired to participate.
Work was begun at once upon a new bill for the 1931 Legislature. The CTA employed George Buck of New York to form a bill and present it at Sacramento. I began my work of organizing the retired teachers of the State. The formation of groups was always a slow process, so many teachers being quite advanced in years, and having taught as long as they could keep going – no law to the contrary – had no energy left to put into an organization. My expenses were now paid from CalRTA funds.
To carry on correspondence with retired teachers, it was necessary to have the names and addresses of retirees. I contacted the Retirement Office for the information. I was refused until the matter was taken before the State Retirement Board who referred it to Vierling Kersey, then State Superintendent of Schools and secretary of the Retirement Board. He ruled that I should have the names and a complete roll sent and has to this day been furnished by the Retirement Board. The office personnel, especially Marion Ketcham Wachhold, had become interested and very friendly to our organization. When in Sacramento, a highlight was always a visit to the Retirement Office and a luncheon with Marion Wachhold.
I sent out many circular letters to retired teachers, using a small hectograph. I solicited membership in our organization and the forming of local groups if possible. Our first printed one was a little folder sent at Christmas in 1930 as a greeting to retirees. It was sent to every retired teacher and made a hole in our limited finances.
The Retired Teaches, Association had representatives in Sacramento in 1931. They were Mrs. English, Mrs. Preston and Sopronia Stevensen. The three attended the first session and Mrs. Stevensen remained for the second session of the Legislature. The legality of present retirees participating still persisted in spite of the Supreme Courts decisions. The bill before the 1931 Legislature was lost. Rretired teachers being accused of causing the failure because of their persistence.
Mrs. Preston, at my request, stopped over in Oakland, Berkeley, and San Jose on her way home to urge formation of groups. That of Oakland, our first new group, followed shortly after and I visited them to assist in perfecting the organization. By 1933, we were reinforced by organizations in Long Beach and San Diego, both formed while being visited by the CalRTA president.
During the early years there was much correspondence with San Francisco retirees and considerable cooperation by them in collecting historical matter, but they were never willing to become part of CalRTA though they had long been organized. I visited some of the prominent ones and some of them visited my meetings.
There was no retirement bill before the 1933 Legislature. We used the time in perfecting our organization, other groups being formed. In June 1933, we began publication of Pioneer Teacher. It was later enlarged to twelve pages, issued at first only twice per year, then increased to quarterly.
Amanda Chase was appointed editor and historical chairman. She began printing reminiscences from retired teachers
Historical letters began pouring in to her and to my office. She and I ha monthly meetings to read the letters and cull portions for Pioneer Teacher. There was so much material that the publication of Year Books was conceived by Mrs. Chase. The name selected was unfortunate as many thought they were like any club year book, just lists of names. I have always believed and still do that these books are valuable historically and will be more so as years go by.
Amanda Chase was compelled to give up her editorial work after four years. I was unable to find anyone to shoulder the responsibility, so carried on with the Year Books and Pioneer Teacher alone. Seven little volumes, one annually, were printed and with the perfect number publication ceased.
In 1935, I made my first visit to the Legislature accompanied by Mrs. English. The bugaboo of “unconstitutionality” was laid to rest and we were included in the benefits of the bill; however, we believed at too great a cost. We were asked to pay into the Retirement Fund $5 for every year we had taught. Some of our old teachers had taught forty or fifty years: hence the payment would wipeout much of the increase. We contacted the assemblyman who was handling the bill and presented our objections. He contacted Roy Cloud, CTA secretary, who called a conference. Those who sat in at this conference were Mr. Cloud, Mr. Thurston, Mrs. Wachhold, Mr. Lintz, CTA legal advisor, Mrs. English and myself. The objectionable matters were eliminated from the bill.
We were willing to pay $24 annually for thirty years or a total of $720 into the Retirement Fund. Tis was granted us; also a second request that we receive monthly payments of salary. This law also provided annuity payments by teachers still working. By so doing they add to the final salary at retirement.
Our organization work progressed steadily, necessitating visits to various parts of the State. I was compelled to go to encourage small struggling groups, as well as to form new ones. Explanations were needed to our old people who had worked long with little salary. What advantage come from paying out even the small dues of $1? In 1936, Santa Cruz, Sacramento, San Jose, and Bakersfield were organized. In 1937, Los Angeles City established its retirement system and soon we has a Los Angeles group. By 1938, we had 10 divisions.
In 1939, two bills affecting retirement were introduced and the usual trip during sessions was made as we had agreed to assist the CTA in securing their passage. One bill strengthened the retirement fund by requiring sums to be taken from the State’s general treasury and added to it. Another bill eliminated any further deductions from retirement salaries. After the early visits, later ones were usually made alone through occasionally a Division would send and assistant. Oakland most frequently did and once I remember Fresno doing so. In the longer history I am preparing, I shall mention names of helpers, but in this shorter one I do not want to omit Clarence Smith of Sacramento, who was always :on the ground: to give material support.
As we came to the 1941, our Association had reached considerable proportions and it was thought that it would be advantageous to incorporate. Some of our leaders expected great benefits to accrue from so doing, hence our association was incorporated under its name “California Retired Teachers’ Association”. Prominent teachers from Los Angeles City schools became leading members.
In, 1941, California Teachers’ Association began a study leading to a new Retirement System. The officers of the retired teachers’ association were invited to participate in the study and were able to make material changes I the proposed law which were a little more beneficial to those already retired. The proposed system was a great advance over the old law and increased the benefits materially. To gain accurate information regarding the condition of retirees, our association sent questionnaires to all retired teachers. The information received was of great benefit to CTA in their planning, for the cramped financial condition of retired teachers who had taught in the early days was a surprise not only to the CTA but to our own membership.
After long study and planning, the proposed new retirement law was presented by the CTA to 1943 Legislature. As president of the retired teachers’ association, I attended the entire session and gave what little help was possible. Mr. A.S. Colton proposed amendments to the law which he thought beneficial to retired teachers. He visited various retired teachers’ groups and collected money from them to carry on his so-called fight for retired teachers. These collections were not authorized by our organization, and caused some little feeling in certain quarters.
The bill passed in the 1943 Legislature, giving retired teachers $60 per month with ho more to pay to the Retirement System. The bill received a pocket veto from Governor Warren.
The agitation over the new retirement system greatly increased our membership and the number of Divisions. The disappointment 4fnover Governor Warren’s veto aroused interest as nothing had done before. Our organized Divisions now numbered 17, and the Board membership was thus increased to 36 by the addition of new vice-presidents and directors.
Governor Warren designated a committee of the Legislature to draft a new retirement law, with Assembly Lee T. Bashore having the matter a minimum of $60 a month and a maximum of $1500 per year were the tentative plans. A conference of representatives from all California organized groups was proposed-P.T.A., Labor, Farm Bureau, Grange, State Chamber of Commerce, California Taxpayers, Retired Teachers, active teachers, etc.
As retired teachers were to have a place in Mr. Bashore’s conference, the Board of Directors formulated a set of resolutions for the use of their committee, the main point being a request for a salary of $75 per month for all teachers who had taught 30 years. Reasons for asking this were formulated. These resolutions were signed by the committee consisting of the President, Delbert Brunton, A. S. Colton and L. L. Beeman. Sorry to say the whole matter was forced into a delay by an initiative petition put forth by the CTA, asking the State to pay $80 instead of $60 per pupil average daily attendance-thus delaying retirement legislation. However, the bill was passed during the 1944 Legislature, practically as planned by Mr. Bashore. A backlog of 30 million dollars was appropriated for additional help to the Permanent Fund, which cannot be touched without action of the State Legislature. The increase of 20% is not what was hoped for, but it was comforting to know it was sure. This was not the most exciting of my trips to the Legislature. A picture of the attending retirees was taken, but I had left the Capital when it was taken. Governor Warren was in the center surrounded the attending teachers. The retired teachers are in the picture, Miss Lulu Shelton of Oakland and Clarence Smith of Sacramento. It is interesting to note that the bill was passed unanimously by every committee which considered it and both Houses of the Legislature.
My story is almost told. In June 1945, I tendered my resignation to the Board of Directors, feeling that I had rendered all the service possible for me to give. I will close with quotations from my farewell letter printed Pioneer Teacher:
“There have been two increases in retirement salary, a total increase of 4%…. In early days of the organization a survey revealed many more retired teachers were in need of the necessities of life, dying without proper nursing or medical attention. This was made known to me also in many personal letters from teachers confessing their need. My heart was torn, and every ounce of my strength dedicated.
“In a recent survey by the Divisions, no teacher was found in actual want. Yes, the CalRTA has justified its existence! . . . The labor of the last 16 years has been glorified by constant support of our members and their devotion to our cause. Resolutions of confidence have upheld my hands and letters of affection and appreciation have been received from thousands. Sweet memories will remain during all the coming years…. I appreciate all our members and friends.”
In relinquishing the gavel to Mrs. Lutie Gray, my successor, I also surrendered a fine typewriter which was a gift to the Association by an unknown friend, and an excellent modern duplicator that had lightened labor in later years.
At our June 1945 picnic, I was made President Emeritus, a place I highly prize. Again, Au Renoir!