Evening star., 1949-08-09

nope we can ma men ana women WHO i've
in Washington who are big enough and
have courage enough to take care OF our
own affairs.
Nonsegregation should not be forced on
the people. It is definitely undesirable.
If it must be so, let 1t come naturally if
and when 1t becomes desirable. r. E. s.
A Catholic Parents Explanation
OF Opposition to the Barden Bill
To the Editor Of The Star:
Before the curtain rings down upon the
explosive subject of Federal aid to educa-
ton, may the case of the average Catholic
school parent be presented calmly, factually
and without bitterness?
First of ALL we are bafded by the "separa-
ton of Church and State" argument. We
feel that this is red herring, and not the
issue. Catholics have not sought construc-
ton of schools, teachers salaries, nor
school maintenance-so how can it be
and State?
We do not believe that by aiding nom
public school children with health services
and transportation, the State will be sup
porting the schools which such children
attend. sick child with q contagious
disease-regardless of his schools a COM
munity concern. child crossing busy
highway has right to police protection
no matter what his school may be. The
State does not support the parochial school
just because a police officer directs traffic
before that school.
What has aroused us to such an interest
in the Barden bill is that we sincerely feel
that our religious freedom would be jeopar-
died by the passage Of this piece OF legis-
lation According to the dictates Of our
conscience, we believe that our children
must be educated in schools where the
truths Of our faith are taught alongside OF
secular subjects
If, through economic pressure. we can
not exercise this freedom of choice, then
our religious liberty is endangered. BY
economic pressure we mean that the ever
growing burden Of double taxation will make
it impossible for many Catholic parents to
keep their children in parochial schools.
This. we fear, Is the very intent OF many
who vociferously indorse the Barden bill.
This would be more subtle form of
discrimination than an outright attack
against parochial schools. We feel that
it was the necessity of exposing this in
sidious purpose and nChristian attitude
that prompted Cardinal Spellman to make
certain recent public declarations
All fair-minded and right thinking peo-
pie who honestly analyze this controversial
subject will concede that Catholics, rather
than trying to secure new benefits for their
children. are merely trying to keep what
already has been constitutionally granted
them as a result of Supreme Court de-
cisions in the Oregon and New Jersey cases.
If the Barden bill passes, the States that
already permit bus transportation. health
services and textbooks to parochial school
children will stop those services-becauSe
this legislation forbids the use Of Federal
funds for these purposes.
True, as opponents will point out, the
States still could use their own funds-but
it would be difficult to separate Federal
discrimination would be accomplished in a
devious manner.
It frequently is mentioned that Catholic
children are free to attend the public
schools. All thinking people can realize
the chaos which would result If parochial
schools were to close their doors and send
their pupils to the local public schools. The
cost Of the public school system would in
crease tremendously, for there are 2,787,6
children enrolled in parochial schools
throughout the country. The present public
school plants could not contain them. for
they use $3.50 elementary and 2,150 second
ary school buildings.
BY maintaining these schools we yearly
save American taxpayers almost half
billion dollars!
In conclusion. may we say that we sin
cerely believe that, in fighting for our
parochial schools, not only are we follow
ing the dictates Of our conscience, but we
also are serving our country which we as
Catholics honor and respect.
For, as long as these schools, with ,leir
daily acknowledgment Of God, are main
tanned, America has a bulwark against
communism. We are as familiar as are the
Communists with that basic principle that
a country will follow in the direction Of
its children, down the road to Statism. if
the forces Of godlessness prevail on the
field Of education, or to the goal set by our
founding fathers, true democracy, If the
flame of everlasting truth is kept alive.
FLORA M. COAN.