Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-05-06
300 Million School Aid
Passes Senate, Faces
Another TEST in House
~ the Assceio,ed Press

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~ the Asseeio,ed Press
The Senate delivered a $780,
100000 Federal aid to education
bill TO the House today for the
second year in a row.
The measure swept through the
Senate last night by vote OF SO
to IS after all efforts to amend
1t were beaten down.
1t would authorize $500 900 900
to be appropriated annually to
help the States pay teacher sal
aries and other school operating
expenses. Many schools have lost
teachers to better-paying employ
ers. an argument advanced by the
bills supporters.
BY providing for the largest
per-pupn allotments to the poor
est States, 1t is intended TO more
nearly equalize education oppor-
tunities throughout the Nation.
Part of Truman Welfare Plan.
An almost identical bill passed
by the Senate last year was
pigeonholed by House committee.
This years measure. part OF the
social welfare program for which
President Truman campaigned
last fall. had strong bipartisan
support in the Senate.
In the Senate last night three
Democrats, Senators Byrd of Vir-
ginia, Connally of Texas and
O'Conor of Maryland. voted with
IL Republicans against the bill.
Thirty six Democrats and % re-
publicans voted for 1t.
The differences among Repub-
iicans over this type Of legislation
was pointed up in the closing de-
bate, as the bill was attacked by
Senators Wherry of Nebraska.
Bridges of New Hampshire and
Ecton of Montana.
wherry Fears Federal Control.
Senator Wheery. the Republican
floor leader, said it is a social
istic" program. comparable to the
long-range housing bill recently
passed by the Senate. He saw 1t
as a step toward Federal control
of education.
Senator Bridges and Senator
Ecton sounded the same note.
Senator Ecton told the Senate the
bill would force the program on
the States whether they like 1t
or not"
But Senator Taft, Republican,
OF Ohio, one of its sponsors. denied
that the bill would permit Federal
control over the schools. He also
argued that 1t is essential for the
Federal Government to give all
children minimum educational
opportunities.
COP policy chief in the Senate.
Senator Taft recently told his COL
leagues that unless the Republi-
cans support legislation like the
school bill and the housing bill
the party will die.
One of the major amendments
rejected before passage OF the bill
would have excluded nonpublic
schools from any financial as
sistance under the program.
The bill provides that the. Fed
eral grants may be used by the
States to aid private and paro-
chial school children. as well as
those In public schools, if this is
permitted by State law.
The Senate also turned down
by voice vote an amendment of
Senator Mcmahon, Democrat. of
Connecticut, that would have re-
quired the States to make Fed
eral allotments available for school
bus services for children in all
schools If they were used for
children in public schools.
Formula Set Up for Division.
The bill is intended to aid the
States in providing a minimum
educational program for elemen-
tary and secondary school chill
dren.
The funds would be divided
among the States by formula
taking into account the number
of children from S to II years of
age and the annual income pay
ments in each State.
The per-child allotments to each
State would vary from a minimum
of IS to slightly over $29. They
would be highest in the poorest
States.
To stay eligible for funds. a
State would have to be spending
not less than SIS a year per pupil
from Federal, State and local
funds by the fourth year Of the
program.
~ ct Nj