Evening star., 1955-01-30

Tu WG pttH9iHS w
"Averose" citixenss Pess A-st
he already has discussed the
matter with some members Of the
House Appropriations Committee
and expects to talk with others
this week.
ST have every hope that the
Appropriations Committee viii
restore the item." he declared. He
added. however. that If it does
not do so, he win take the Ques-
ton to the House floor.
1T is inconceivable that Con-
gress will reject an appeal to help
these kids" the Virginia legis-
lator declared. Congress is pretty
tough at times. but not that
tough"
1,70O Denied Facilities. ~
Representative Broyhill's ac-
ton followed disclosure by The
Star week ago that deletion Of
$225, ,155 from the pending school
budget is increasing the plight Of
more than 1,700 retarded chill
dren now denied proper facilities
in the District schools.
The Board of Education asked
for the $225,155 to hire special
teachers. mostly for the retarded
and physically handicapped. but
the item was refused by the Dis
trict Commissioners on economy
grounds. ~
Mr.. Broyhill. who lives in Ar
lington. said he felt the turn
down by the District heads on
this money was regrettable. +.
II fear it was an ill-considered
action motivated perhaps by q
lack of information respecting
the plight Of these unfortunate
children" the Virginian declared.
Sees Moral Obligation.
Public school officials appear
to be justified in calling the
action tragic. We have q moral
obligation to assist the retarded
and the handicapped. That
moral obligation becomes greater
when kids are involved.
I'VE cannot discharge that OBJ
legation by penny -pinching. We
cannot close our eyes to their
plight and their needs by deny
ing them aid in surmounting
their affiiction."
The budget cut, Mr.. Broyhill
pointed out, affects not only the
handicapped children, but also
many normal children who must
share classrooms with them.
School officials have stated that
reinforced mixing of normal and
Retarded children because of lack
Of funds is impeding the progress
Of both.
Mr.. Broyhill asserted that the
community In the long run could
save money by providing ade-
quately for handicapped chill
dren. In many cases, this can
prevent such children from be-
coming public charges when
they are adults, he pointed out.
He also noted the growing
stress on rehabilitation of the
handicapped of all ages. with q
view to making such persons
self supporting and useful.
Helping these. children, in q
way, can be called rehabilitation.
too" said the Congress member.
He noted that President Els
enhower has indicated keen In
terest in the welfare of the men,
tally and physically handicapped.
adding that he is happy the
President has this interest.
The Virginia Representative
recently introduced a bill to
grant a congressional charter
to the Foundation for Commu-
nifty Aid to Mental Patients. with
headquarters in Alexandria.
A District school Official last
week said q new count showed
the number Of retarded pupils
now being denied needed special
instruction is more than 1000.
The 1.700 reported q week ago
was a preliminary figure.
Even the revised figure In
cludes only children In the ele-
mentary schools. At least sew.
eral hundred more retarded
pupils are believed to be in jun
Tor high classes, but few have
been tested because Of a short
age of testing personnel.
The $225,155 item included 10
special teachers for children with
los between so and rs, three for
those with los under so. seven
speech-correction teachers, eight
remedial reading specialists and
three visiting teachers for shut
ins.
A separate $I0,408 item. also
refused, was asked for two clini-
cal psychologists to examine
children emptionally upset.
School officials also have re-
ported that they are faced with
a serious number Of such chill
dren and no facilities either to
test them or teach them prop
erly.
COMMISSIONS Renah r. Cana
lier last week said he was certain
the city heads would give sympa-
thetic consideration TO the school
items, But Commissioner Samuel
Spencer has already said the
city's budget is facing further
cuts before Congress acts on 1t,
and he has made no commit
ment about any action to restore
deleted funds.
Trnnm faRyinr Wimm