Evening star., 1949-06-28
Dispute on U. 5. Aid
To Education Erupts
Into Bitter EXCHANGE
By the Assoeiaisd Press

Oeep-seated differences over
Federal aid to education have
erupted In Congress in a bitterly
worded exchange between Repre-
sentatives Barden, Democrat. Of
North Carolina. and Lesinski,
Democrat, Of Michigan.
Mr.. Lesinski, chairman Of the
House Labor Committee con-
trolling the education bill, accused
Mr.. Barden Of writing an anti
Negro and anti-Catholic" substi-
tute and Of trying to kill aid for
education once and for all"
Mr.. Barden countered with q
charge that Mr.. Lesinski had made
"a false statement" unsupported
by fact.
Il do not know where Mr.. Lesin-
ski got his inspiration for making
such statements, unless 1t was be-
cause some similar statements
have been accredited to some high
officials Of his church." he asserted
angrily.
New Bill to Be Presented.
Mr.. Barden's reference to church
officials was directed at an attack
on his bill last week by Francis
Cardinal Spellman Of New York.
who termed 1t "un- Catholic" and
"un-American."
The bill, substitute for q Sen
ate-passed measure, was approved,
10 to 3. by Mr.. Barden's Labor
Subcommittee.
But Mr.. Lesinski told reporters
yesterday the substitute 'is dead"
After the House returns from its
July 4 holiday, Mr.. Lesinski said,
the Labor Committee will be called
to consider new bill fashioned
along the lines of the measure
passed by the Senate.
The Senate measure would
make available $3.50. .000, 900 a year
In grants to assist the States. Each
State would be allowed funds at
the rate of S. per pupil, plus ad-
ditional aid up to $29 for the sol
called backward" States.
MIR. Barden's substitute also
provides IS per pupil. but makes
other sharply differing provisions.
Limited to Public Schools.
1t provides that the money may
be spent only for current ex-
penditures," specifically prohibit
ing expenditures for transporta-
ton and health and welfare ac-
tivities. And it says the aid must
60 only to public schools.
This was one Of the chief tar
gets Of Cardinal Spellman, who
saw it as ban on Federal assist
ance to parochial and other Sec
tartan and private schools.
Mr.. Barden said transportation
was excluded because committee
investigation disclosed that "48
States had more than 48 different
systems, types and methods of
transportation"
1.-THE committee, therefore, de-
cided that it was a matter to be
left to the States" he said, land
that we would not enter in that
hazy field"
Called Anti Religious Bill.
Mr.. Lesinski, in talking to re-
porters yesterday, said Mr.. Bar
den's bill was "anti-religious and
one of the worst bills ever brought
out in the House"
MY opinion of the whole thing"
he said, 'is that Barden doesn't
want any aid to education and
would like to kill 1t once and
for ALL"
Former President Herbert Hoo
yer and Gen. Dwight Eisenhower.
president Of Columbia University,
both have come out against max
ing Federal grants to all States.
They have asked for aid only to
States too poor to support high
level OF education.
Gen. Eisenhower position was
sharply criticized yesterday by
Senator Ebert D. Thomas. Demo-
crat. of Utah. He said Gen. Els
enhower had been educated at
federally supported West Point
and that Gen. Eisenhower pres
ent school, Columbia, got $18.-I
100000 in Federal school aid in
ma uaor