Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-12-15
Congress Must
Build Defense,
Appease Voters
nv ], A. O'LEARY

BY J. A. OLEARY
National defense and foreign
policy win dominate the new
session Of Congress. which con-
venes January Z.
But with the entire House
and one-third Of the Senate
facing reelection next fall. do
nestle issues will not be entirely
forgotten.
Many members Of Congress
will be plugging for programs
that have a wide appeal back
home. such as the SIS billion
river-harbor and food control
program. and the $2.4 billion
Federal aid to school construc-
ton. Both Of these measures
were left as unfinished business
when the last session ended.
Puts In Early Bid
Senator Case. Republican OF
New Jersey. put In an early bid
last night for consideration OF
the school construction bill. de-
claring 1t would be a mistake
to concentrate purely on edu-
cation for science"
When Republican leaders
met at the White House 10
days ago to go over the legis-
lative program. discussion OF
aid to education was limited to
the development of more scien-
fists.
There was no statement that
Federal aid to build more class
rooms has been abandoned. but
it was apparent that a new
urgency was being given TO the
training Of scientists in view of
Russian progress in the develop
ment Of missiles and satellites,
In planning to spend more
money on missiles. on foreign
aid and to encourage scientific
study. the administration has
made 1t clear it viii try to on
set these budget increases by
cutting back on other programs,
including conventional types of
national defense.
A bill like the school
construction measure. which
begged down even before Rus
STA launched her sputniks. is
bound to fall under the scru-
tiny OF the economizers next
year.
Urges Balanced Policy
In his statement last night,
Senator Case joined in the de-
mand for a realistic and bal
anced" defense policy. and for
an effective foreign aid and
trade development program as
the No. l and No. ? challenges
awaiting Congress in January.
But he also listed as No. 3 the
need for a fortnight attack
on the growing inadequacies
Of our educational system"
Certain immediate steps we
take to bolster our supply of
scientists and technicians are
necessary and wise" said Sem
ator Case, but I am concerned
that in their execution we not
neglect to take the steps neces-
sary to strengthen our educa-
tional system from top to
bottom"
The Senator recalled that
early this year there were
2.295.000 pupils in elementary
schools in excess Of normal ca
pacity. The New Jersey Sena-
tor said a recent Once Of Edu-
cation survey shows there has
not been much of a reduction
in the $4,000 classroom back
log. and that the school popu-
lation is still on the increase.
Called Emergency"
This is a national emer-
gency =. e" the Senator con-
tinued. I'VE have already lost
several years by failing to enact
an emergency program Of Fed.
eral assistance for school con.
struction. In my own view. thi.
program has become more ur.
gent than ever and action tc
provide such emergency aio
should be a key point in the
legislative program before the
next session of Congress"
The school bill which was
killed in the House at the last
session called for Fedora
grants Of $500 million a yeai
for five years. 1t also author.
lied Federal purchase Of $75C
million in local school bonds
and extending credits up Il
$3.50 million to help the State.
finance school buildings.
Senator Case admitted It viii
not be easy to get action OF
such legislation. when he said
While we quickly accept tn,
need for adding 50 billion I,
the $50 billion defense budget
1t will be a greater problem 4
convince Congress Of the wis
dom Of spending a half-billior
dollars for school construction
But while we have been debat
ing school legislation the Sovie
Union has greatly expanded IL
educational facilities"
Fiscal Outlook
The new session Of Congress
faces the prospect Of foregoing
any reduction in taxes. of ex
tending for another year tn
existing corporation incom
and excise taxes. and the pos
sibility Of authorizing an in
crease in the national debt.
With this fiscal outlook. tn
1868 session is expected to con
Germ itself mainly with the de
Tense budget, foreign aid. ex
tension Of the Reciproca
Trade Act, and changes in tn
Atomic Energy Law TO permi
closer cooperation with NATC
allies.
But Senator Case warneI
that sit will not do to have tn,
historians Of a decade or tw,
from now-if there are any