Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-01-20
House Group Hits
Cut in School Aid
Bid to Reduce
Help to Impact
Areas Draws Fire

An administration proposal
TO cut back Federal aid to
schools overcrowded with chill
dren Of Government employees
ran into rough opposition from
both Democrats and Republic
cans In the House today.
Criticism was aimed at FL
hot L. Richardson, Assistant
Health. Education and Welfare
Secretary. who explained the
Administrations position be-
fore the House Education Sub
committee headed by Repre-
sentative Bailey. Democrat Of
West Virginia.
Representative Thompson,
Democrat Of New Jersey, said
he was convinced Federal aid
ought to continue both in the
Capital City area and through.
out the Nation.
He concentrated. however, on
breaking down Mr.. Richard.
sons claim that crowded school
conditions now reflected subur-
ban growth more than huge
shifts Of people necessitated By
Federal defense.
I'VE are about to embark on
a massive program Of building
missiles. representative
Thompson said. Il don't see
how you people are in a posi-
ton to project the effect of flu
ture defense movements on
schools"
Disagrees With HEW
He said he did not quite agree
with HEW that the Govern
ment's presence in a commu-
nifty was the greatest thing that
could happen to that commu-
nifty. Although he agreed with
Mr.. Richardson that the Wash
ington Metropolitan Area had
become comparatively stable
despite Federal impact. he said
after the hearing that he was
very much concerned" that
Federal school aid continue
here as well as in defense
centers.
Representative Udall. Demo-
crat Of Arizona. noted that the
Soyiets had challenged not only
American defense efforts. but
education as well.
Yet. this administration
policy is q retreat in Federal
responsibilities to education"
he said. Il regret that we aren't
enlarging rather than retract-
ing the Federal impact pro-
gram"
Representative Haskell. Re-
publican of Delaware. warned
HEW that an infiexible pro-
gram Of Federal aid could ig-
more the need for defense build
ups obvious within the last
three months because Of Soviet
scientific advancements.
Would Hit District Area
Federal retrenchment in the
school aid program has been
sharply criticized for its effect
on the Washington area by
Representative Broyhill. Re-
publican Of Virginia. and Mary
land Representatives Langford.
Democrat. and Hyde. Republic
can.
Administration proposals
would reduce the $6.4 million
received for operations in six
Washington suburban school
districts from the Federal Gov
eminent to ssh million in the
coming year and $3.0 million
for fiscal l959-60.
In construction funds. these
suburban districts have received
about $33 million in the last
three years and expect to re-
ceive 81 million by the end Of
the 1859 fiscal year.
Mr.. Richardson explained
that administration amend
ments to the Federal assistance
laws would reduce both opera
ting and construction funds un-
til an eventual cutoff June 80.
1868.
This will permit all schools
whose financing may be affected
by these laws to plan ahead in
an orderly manner and to re-
duce the occasion for frequent
and piecemeal amendments
characteristic Of this legisla-
ton in the past" he said.
Building Aid Would Dwindle
Federal aid would be limited
under the 5-year extension Of
the laws to schools serving sub
stantial numbers Of children
who live on tax-exempt Federal
property with parents employed
on such property" according to
Mr.. Richardson. Federal pay
mentS in all other situations
would be discontinued.
/ Throughout the Nation,
school construction aid in 1859
would dwindle from $50 million
to SOS million under the adj
ministration program. Compar-
able savings would be realized
in subsequent years.
Operating funds for fiscal
1859 would be reduced from
$l49 million to $ll0 million. BY
1868. these operating costs
would hit a new low Of $50
million.
Mr.. Richardson stressed that
the cutback was in line with
President EiSenhower's policy
A. -