Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-07-04
Powell Rider
Seen Doomiinq
School Aid Bill
Anti-Segregution
Amendment Voted
164-l16 in House
BY ROBERT X. WALSH

The Federal aid school con-
struction bill still looked like an
explosive firecracker today, but
its chances of reaching further
legislative heights may sputter
out because of an anti-segrega-
ton rider tackled on by the House.
The 1854 to 116 teller vote late
yesterday was tentative. 1t could
be reversed on a roll call when
the House takes final action on
the Sis billion measure tomor-
row.
The size of the test vote, de-
spite 155 abSenteeS, nevertheless
indicated that the outcome of the
Powell amendment is unlikely to
be changed when names are re-
corded on a roll call. One or two
other amendments remain to be
voted on tomorrow. but the big
fight was on this one.
Opposed by Administration
The amendment pushed by
Representative Powell. Demo-
crat. of New York. would with
hold Federal grants from States
failing to integrate their school
systems in compliance with the
Supreme Court decision against
racial segregation. President
Eisenhower had criticized the
amendment as being extra
neous."
Addition of this amendment to
the House bill was widely be-
heved as almost certain to provoke
a f1libuster by Southern members
of the Senate. 1t also raised
doubt today for the fate of the
bill, itself, in the House tomor-
row.
Leaders predicted, however,
that the House would approve
the bill, even in the face of strong
opposition by members who con-
tend it would lead to dangerous
Federal intrusion in educational
responsibilities of States.
Many Republicans Favor 1t
While the vote on the Powell
amendment late yesterday was
not recorded, vast majority of
Republican members walked up
the aisle to be counted in favor
of it.
Before reaching the Powell
proposal the House upheld two
key sections of the bill and
agreed on a compromise change
in the overall amount and timing
of the Federal grants.
The compromise revision called
for SIS billion IN Federal aid for
five years at the rate of $500
million a year. This was Substi-
tuted for the Kelley bills original
plan for SIG billion over four
years, or $400 million a year. The
Eisenhower administration early
this year recommended $500 mil
lion a year for four years.
Loses on Distribution Method
The administration lost its
fight against the fund distribu-
ton method in the Kelley bill.
On a teller vote, lac to ITO, the
House defeated a move by Repre-
sentative Mcconnell of Pennsyl-
vania, ranking Republican on
the House Education and Labor
Committee, to allot the money
according to a formula designed
to demonstrate an individual
States need as we'll as efforts to
meet its own school require
ments. The Kelley bill would
make the grants on the basis of
school age populations in the
respective States.
Mr.. Mcconnell estimated that
under the Kelley bill the 10
wealthiest States would receive
80 per cent of the Federal funds
and the 10 poorest States only
10 per cent. Under the admins
tration's suggested formula. he
said. the 10 wealthiest would
get about 20 per cent and the
10 poorest about q per cent.
The other major amendment
rejected by the House was an
attempt mainly by members
from Southern States to elm
mate practically every form of
Federal control over the ham
ding of the Federal money by
States.
This amendment, offered by
Representative Barden, of North
Carolina. chairman of the Edu-
Sec SCHOOLS, Page AS