Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-01-13
Budget Boosts
Science Funds,
Research Aid
BY ROBERT X. WALSH
atar ataI Wriiar

4
creased National Science Foun.
dation and Health. Education
and Welfare Department funds
to speed q science-oriented pro.
gram Of school aid. scholarships
land research.
The Sl40 million he recon.
mended for the fiscal 1859 NSF
budget is more than three times
the amount currently author
lied. HEW would get SASS
million in new money. This
would finance first year oper-
atoms OF the Presidents pro-
posed 81 billion four-year sys-
TEN Of Federal grants and other
outlays TO meet .space-age edu.
cational needs.
The new program would re-
place. at least for the coming
fiscal year. the administrator
Federal school construction aid
program which was blocked in
Congress In recent years.
States Have Role
As previously outlined by
HEW Secretary Folsom. this
envisions Federal grants to be
matched by States to strength
en- and stimulate State. local
and private action. particularly
in the teaching Of science and
mathematics. II Is designed
also TO help graduate schools.
expand teaching Of foreign
languages and improve educa-
tional processes for finding and
encouraging talented students
and teachers.
Mr.. Eisenhower told Congress
that security and continued
well-being Of the United States
depend, as never before. on the
extension Of scientific knowl-
edge in the face Of Soviet chal-
lenges. He said the expansion
Of the NSF and the new HEW
program would be co-ordinated
and complement each other by
promoting science education
through grants to universities
and individuals and by bolster
ing the general educational
base.
I Besides requesting $l40 mil
lion for NSF in the 1859 fiscal
year. Mr.. Eisenhower urged a
supplemental $40 million for
the present fiscal period which
ends next June 30. The addi-
tional money. he explained.
would permit NSF TO proceed
vigorously" in expanding basic
research and improving science
education and administration,
Although not reflected directly
in the budget. the program can
be aided by such agencies as
the Bureau of Standards. Ma
tional Institutes of Health.
Atomic Energy Commission.
and others. he said.
Five Principal Points
The budget message EN-.
phasized five principal points
Mr.. Eisenhower believes should
govern this effort. These. he
said. are more effective use Of
available scientists and engi-
sneers. an understanding that
fundamental responsibility for
science education, training and
research depends primarily on
nom Federal support. a realiza-
ton that scientists and science
students cannot be produced
overnight. q determination 70
develop vast and varied skjlls
and aptitudes Of all kinds, and
care to maintain "a well round
ed educational program which
must insure progress IN the
teaching Of all areas Of learn
ings."
/ Notwithstanding the stepped
UP items under the general
heading Of science. research
and education, the HEW over
all budget request Of s2.79 bill
lion for health. economic well
fare and general education for
fiscal 1859 was only S45 mil
lion above actual current fiscal
year appropriations. HEW Sec
Rotary Folsom noted today.
One Of the major slashes was
from S225 million to $3.50 mil
lion for construction and OPP
Grafton Of schools in so-called
"impacted" areas where en-
lrollments are swelled by large
Federal Government employe
populations. Mr.. Eisenhower
suggested that, on the basis
of experience. those programs
be modified. Federal assistance
for building and operating
schools should be limited to
Instances where Federal per-
sonnet both live and work on
Federal property. he said.