CONTENTS Page Baldwin, Hon. John F., Jr., a Representative in Congress from the Bennett, Hon. Charles E., a Representative in Congress from the State Blackburn, C. S., superintendent of schools, North Little Rock, Ark__ Blatnik, Hon. John A., a Representative in Congress from the State Brownell, Dr. Samuel M., Commissioner of Education, Department of Education; accompanied by Dr. Rall I. Grigsby, Assistant Commis- sioner for School Assistance, and John Hughes, Office of Education 64, 99 Broyhill, Hon. Joel T., a Representative in Congress from the State of Grigsby, Dr. Rall I., Assistant Commissioner for School Assistance; Reginald Conley, Assistant General Counsel, and John Hughes, Office Hays, Hon. Brooks, a Representative in Congress from the State of Herlong, Hon. A. S., Jr., a Representative in Congress from the State Jarman, Hon. John, a Representative in Congress from the State of Lesinski, Hon. John, a Representative in Congress from the State of List of Members of Congress in favor of legislation__. Quigley, Hon. James M., a Representative in Congress from the State Riley, Hon. John J., a Representative in Congress from the State of Rose, Oscar, superintendent of schools, Midwest City, Okla__. Teague, Hon. C. M., a Representative in Congress from the State of Wilson, Hon. Robert C., a Representative in Congress from the State 129 Barkes, G. D., superintendent of schools, New Albany, Ind.. Bennett, Hon. C. E., a Representative in Congress from the State Blatnik, Hon. John A., statement in support of amending Public Law 815 as amended so as to provide necessary Federal aid in the con- struction of school facilities in Orr, Mahnomen, and Wauban, Boland, Hon. E. P., a Representative in Congress from the State of Letters, prepared statement,s tables, etc.—Continued Butler, S. B., superintendent of schools, Groton, Conn__ Page 60 Church, Hon. Marguerite Stitt, a Representative in Congress from Comments on 3-percent absorption formula. Comptroller General of the United States__ Crews, H. O., board of education, Highwood, Ill. Denlay, R. E., district superintendent of schools, Santa Paula, Calif__ Douglas District, South Dakota, school board No. 3_. H. R. 5137, 84th Congress_ Hussey, Fred G., chief clerk, Committee on Education and Labor, letter 1 Hyde, Hon. DeWitt S., a Representative in Congress from the State Jennings, S. B., Middleburg, Fla___ Knutson, Hon. Coya, a Representative in Congress from the State 9 List of applicants under Public Law 815, as amended by Public Law List of applicants under Public Law 815, as amended by section 246, Lockhart, P. T., superintendent of schools, Riverside, Calif_ Moore, R. P., Parker, Ariz___. Morris, H. P., president, Montgomery County, Md., Civic Federation__ Polk, Hon. J. G., a Representative in Congress from the State of Ohio__ Proposed amendments to H. R. 1837. Public Law 874, as amended-State summary of applicant school dis- Reduction in section 3 (a) and 3 (b) entitlement by 3 percent absorp- Seely-Brown, Hon. Horace, a Representative in Congress from the Smith, Rex M., superintendent of schools, Monongalia County, W. Va__ Wasson, R. J., superintendent of schools, Colorado Springs, Colo_. Wickersham, Hon. Victor, a Representative in Congress from the ASSISTANCE TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS AFFECTED BY FEDERAL ACTIVITIES MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1955 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SUBCOMMITTEE ON ASSISTANCE TO SCHOOL COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND LABOR, Washington, D. C. The subcommittee met, pursuant to call, at 10: 15 a. m., in room 429, House Office Building, Hon. Cleveland M. Bailey presiding. Present: Representatives Bailey (presiding), Udall, Rhodes, and Wainwright. Present also: Fred G. Hussey, chief clerk; John O. Graham, minority clerk; Edward A. McCabe, general counsel; and Russell C. Derrickson, chief investigator. Mr. BAILEY. The committte will be in order. It is generally understood that the purpose of this hearing is to consider amendments, extensions, and revisions of Public Laws 874 and 815, 81st Congress, as amended by Public Laws 246 and 248, 83d Congress. At this time I would like the clerk to read the official certification setting up this subcommittee from the chairman of the general Committee on Education and Labor. Mr. HUSSEY. Mr. Chairman, this letter is dated June 16, 1955: Hon. CLEVELAND M. BAILEY, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. BAILEY: The Chairman has directed me to notify you that by virtue of the authority vested in him as chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor, he has appointed you as chairman of a special subcommittee to study proposed amendments to Public Laws 815 and 874, 81st Congress, both of which laws provide Federal assistance to federally impacted areas. The special subcommittee will consist of the following members of the Committee on Education and Labor: Hon. Cleveland M. Bailey, chairman; Hon. Roy W. Wier; Hon. Stewart L. Udall; Hon. John J. Rhodes; and Hon. Stuyvesant Wainwright 2d. Sincerely yours, FRED G. HUSSEY, Chief Clerk. Mr. BAILEY. The clerk will now call the membership of the subcommittee to ascertain if a quorum is present. Mr. HUSSEY. Mr. Bailey? Mr. BAILEY. Here. Mr. HUSSEY. Mr. Wier? (No response.) Mr. HUSSEY. Mr. Udall? (No response.) Mr. HUSSEY. Mr. Rhodes? Mr. RHODES. Here. Mr. HUSSEY. Mr. Wainwright? Mr. WAINWRIGHT. Here. Mr. HUSSEY. There is a quorum present. Mr. BAILEY. The clerk having ascertained there is a quorum of the subcommittee present, I formally declare the subcommittee in session. (Discussion off the record.) Mr. BAILEY. The first witness will be Hon. Brooks Hays, of Arkansas. May I say that Mr. Hays has been deeply interested in this phase of the educational program, and he is the author of a coverall bill aimed to correct most of the changes which appear to be needed particularly in Public Law 874. At this time, Mr. Hays, you may identify yourself to the reporter and proceed with your testimony. STATEMENT OF HON. BROOKS HAYS, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF ARKANSAS Mr. HAYS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Brooks Hays, representing the Fifth District of Arkansas. Mr. Chairman and mémbers of the committee, I appreciate very much the opportunity of presenting briefly the merits of bill H. R. 5846 which I introduced in April. This action was taken at the request of a number of educators throughout the country whose districts are affected by the movement of Federal workers and Federal personnel, military and civilian. For reasons that this committee is quite familiar with, it becomes necessary to extend the basic legisla tion. I feel that it would be an imposition for me to take more than just a few moments to acquaint the committee with my point of view, and I am confident that it is the point of view of the vast majority of the House. I do not know of any general legislation that has received greater support than this. I trust that it will be possible to get the extension proposal before the House at an early date. There are many districts that would otherwise suffer greatly from heavy enrollments and from lack of funds resulting from people moving into these areas. The legislation has proved successful and has been fair, I think, from every standpoint except, as the committee knows, the 3 percent absorption clause has caused some injustices. My bill eliminates this provision, and I trust the committee will feel that that feature of the bill should be retained and approved. I hope it will recommend to the full committee that such action be taken. Mr. Chairman, this bill was drawn only after consultation with officials in the Office of Education. I assume their representatives are available to discuss some technical features which they are better equipped to discuss than I, but I am in general familiar with the problem and I trust it will receive the subcommittee's approval. A good deal has been said this year and I know the committee has given a great deal of attention to the matter of Federal aid for schools, not only in the school construction field, but I know you have also considered general aid. It would be very unfortunate if we should find our efforts concentrated solely on that and neglect this field, in which the Federal Government undoubtedly has a primary responsibility. There are honest differences of opinion about the responsibility of the Federal Government in the field of education generally, but there can be no question about the propriety of Federal action in this limited field. For that reason, since it is noncontroversial and since the sole function in respect to this type of legislation is to be sure that it is technically sound and that it draws the line meticulously so that districts entitled to such aid receive it, it seems to me that the work of the committee is greatly simplified. I wish to say that I am grateful for the fine leadership the committee has supplied in this field. I know that the chairman, the gentleman from West Virginia, has for many years interested himself in it, and I speak for many Americans in saying that we are grateful for the energies that he has expended in this field. That is all the time I care to take, Mr. Chairman. Mr. BAILEY. Do the members of the committee care to ask any questions? Mr. Rhodes? Mr. Wainwright? Mr. WAINWRIGHT. No, but I wish to join with the Chairman in saying that Mr. Hays is certainly one of the Members of the House who in my brief 3 years has interested himself energetically in this worthwhile cause, and I am sure that his bill will be given every consideration. Mr. BAILEY. Thank you, Mr. Hays, for your appearance and for your cooperation and effort. Mr. HAYS. Thank you very much. Mr. BAILEY. I notice the distinguished gentlemen from Minnesota, Mr. Blatnik, has appeared, and he is listed here as the second witness. You may come forward, Mr. Blatnik. STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN A. BLATNIK, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF MINNESOTA Mr. BLATNIK. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, my name is John A. Blatnik, from the Eighth Congressional District in northeastern Minnesota. I thank the chairman and members of the committee for making possible on very short notice this hearing on the extension of Public Law 815, which is of great concern to a number of Members of the House. Mr. Chairman, I am pleading in behalf of 3 rural school districts in northern Minnesota, 1 in my district and the other 2 in the northwestern part of Minnesota in the district represented by Mrs. Coya Knutson. Mr. BAILEY., May I interrupt the witness at this point to inquire if Mrs. Knutson will be available to be heard? Mr. BLATNIK. Mrs. Knutson is arriving at 2 o'clock this afternoon, but I have a very detailed, well-prepared statement which I ask permission-first of all, may I have permission to extend and revise my own remarks? I shall make a brief oral presentation and submit the details, not to take up too much time, to avoid repetition. Mr. BAILEY. We will proceed under that rule. |