Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-29

introduced by Democratic Con-
gresham Kelley came on for
a vote in the House a large
majority of Republicans voted
against it, while the majority
of Democrats voted for it.
It must be said, in fairness
and leaning far over backward
in fact-that the situation on
that vote was complicated by
other factors which crossed
party lines.
But I say, I am sure in equal
fairness. that with strong lead
ership from the White House,
many Republicans would have
supported that bill. AS it was, in
the midst of the debate this
spring, a Republican Congress-
man read a letter from Presi-
dent Eisenhower, which was
hardly helpful, in which he said
unless we are careful. even the
great and necessary educational
processes in our country viii
become yet another vehicle by
which the believers in paternal-
ism, if not outright socialism,
will gain still additional power
for the central government"
Program Is Promised
I do not know whether this
letter accurately reflects the
Presidents view on this vital
matter. But I would not expect
much leadership on behalf of
our schools from anyone who
docs entertain these philoSophi-
cal misgivings about Federal aid.
To sum up, we have had, dur
ing these four years, fine words.
conferences, and lofty, high
sounding proposals about edu-
cation. We have had no action
and no results.
Now what of the future?
Because there are so many
facets to this problem, and be-
cause their full discussion would
take a good deal more time than
we have tonight, I am preparing
and will issue within the next
few days a written statement
Outlining the course it seems to
me we should follow.
But I want to indicate briefly
how it seems to me we should
help our local governments do
what we all want to do for our
children and for our country'S
future:
i First, we need a national edu-
cational policy, and we need it
Just as urgently as we need a CO.
herent foreign policy and defense
policy.
Goal Is Set Forth
4 The goal Of this educational
policy must be nothing less than
the achievement Of the fullest
possible development Of each in
dividual's capacities and talents.
1T should aim, not just at getting
more children into more class
rooms for more years, but at
making each child's education a
richer and more challenging ex-
perience than ever before.
1 A science largely restricted to
missiles, hydrogen bombs a
science of weapons. whether for
defense or for sale - does not
attract enough able people who
have seen all the death they want
to see in our time. Only a science
: of health, of hope for mans
future, a science that holds
human nature in affection and
awe. can attract new talent into
its halls.
Second, we have reached, in
! ! deed we have passed, the time
for action in the commitment Of
Federal funds to aid the States
! in their educational programs.
Aid in Teacher Crisis
This Federal aid program must
: include aid for school construc-
!, ltion. The bill which was before
the Congress this year should &c
far toward meeting this need.
! But the Federal aid program
] must also. in my judgment, be
t lbroadened to help meet the
t hidden crisis in education today
el-the teacher shortage.
0 Perhaps we should leave tc
!. each individual State the de-
: termination Of whether its share
of Federal funds should be used
e to increase teacher salaries OF
j to build new buildings.
!, I want to mention here, re-
S garding these details. only that
= it seems to me imperative that
t we insure against Federal fund,
e being used to reduce or Supplani
state or local support for edu.
i cation. and that We insure also