Evening star., 1933-01-24
R. F. c. AID URGED
TO HELP SCHOOLS
Lewis Admits Plan Departs
From Accepted Principles
in Senate Hearing.
BY the Associated Press.

Senator Lewis of Illinois, in a strong
plea for legislation authorizing Recon-
struction Corporation loans for school
operation, admitted today this would de-
part from accepted principles Of Gov
eminent. but insisted that the need was
fundamental and an exception should
be made.
He spoke before the Senate's bank
ing subcommittee now studying the
school loan bill by Senator George Of
Georgia, who has been pushing the
measure vigorously despite hostility
manifested in many quarters.
Prospects for Criminals.
IF our schools be closed. the teach
ers go hungry with their sense Of re-
volt as exhibited in Q recent march in
Chicago, thousands of students have
no place to go to school and parents
see this, what is the prospect?" Lewis
asked the committee replying:
Il am sorry to say you are opening
the prospect of an army of new crimi-
nails. The idle child would fall easily
into the hands of the older experienced
criminal who knows how to guide these
young"
Lewis said he wanted to join Sena-
tor George lin asking that you tenn
porarily forget the precedent Of the past
that the Federal Government not
finance local education
He criticized the Board Of the Re-
construction Corporation, which has
opposed the measure.
Could Do Great Service.
Certain members of the board al
ways seem to find some way things can
not be done and relief not be granted"
Lewis said Il feel that instead Of
seeking some way things cannot be
done they should find some way they
can be done. II this bill now before
you could be passed for all the schools
keep the thousands of children in classes
and avoid throwing them in contact
with criminals you will have done a
great service"
Asked by Chairman Townsend Re-
publican, of Delaware, If there were no
State source Of funds for Illinois and
Chicago schools, Lewis replied, I'VE have
exhausted our funds-there Is no other
source than the one here to give
relief"
Senator Couzens, Republican, of
Michigan. asked Lewis if he thought the
Federal Government could ever recover
loans. Lewis answered he could not
speak for others than Chicago.
Emergency Like Storm.
The present emergency, Lewis likened
to a great storm, and Senator Gore,
Democrat, of Oklahoma, interjected:
Il don't think captain is ever justi-
fled in scuttling his ship to escape
storm. and 1 think that is what We
would be doing"
mo, but he should turn to the left
or right If there is port there" re-
piled Lewis.
Gore said he feared this precedent. If
established. would be invoked in ordi-
nary times, but Lewis disagreed.
You cannot stop this business" Gore
continued. "You will destroy the credit
of the United States which has always
been good because it has not been
abused and the disasters that will fol-
low will be greater than at present"
Look over the country and see the
people suffering" replied Lewis. The
people are in such a mood any form OF
revolt would seize them"
He listed the type of loans now made
by the Reconstruction Corporation to
banks, railroads and other business
organizations. and said institutions to
help the people are not being aided suf-
flciently.
Elmer E. Rogers of Washington,
representing the Scottish Rite Masons.
and william Carr of washington, repre-
senting the National Education Associ-
alton, also indorsed the mesure.