Associated Retailers of Washington West Virginia Retailers Association, Inc. Mr. McCORMACK. I have a letter from William G. Carr, executive secretary of the National Education Association of the United States. (The letter referred to is as follows:) NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Hon. JOHN W. MCCORMACK, Washington 6, D. C., February 16, 1955. Chairman, Special House Subcommittee on Donable Surplus Property, DEAR MR. MCCORMACK: In connection with the current hearings being conducted by your subcommittee, I would like to submit the following on behalf of the National Education Association. The membership of the NEA includes over 568,000 teachers and school administrators at all levels of education and in all sections of the Nation. Since the end of the Second World War, schools and colleges have benefited materially from the surplus property donations of the Federal Government. The broad public benefit of this program cannot be overemphasized; not only schools, but also hospitals and other public health institutions have enjoyed these surplus donations. In the years immediately following the end of the war, many thousands of veterans could not have found a place to resume their education in high schools, colleges, and universities without the material assistance provided educational institutions by the Federal surplus program in the form of buildings, laboratory equipment, and essential supplies. Through the intervening years, the surplus program has continued to benefit the schools. We hope that as a result of your study of the program effective means will be developed for maintaining the flow of donable surplus property to educational institutions around the country. Yours sincerely, WILLIAM G. CARR, Executive Secretary. Mr. McCORMACK. I also have a letter from Chaffey College, of Ontario, Calif., and Lodi Union High School, Lodi, Calif. (The letters referred to are as follows:) Mr. C. R. KLEVELAND, Surplus Property Officer, CHAFFEY COLLEGE, Ontario, Calif., December 27, 1954. State Educational Agency, Surplus Property. DEAR MR. KLEVELAND: I am sorry I am late with this material but the entire office staff of the college is off this week and I am forced to do this the "hard way." The following is an outline of the material I think you wanted. 1. Since the college aeronautics course has been approved by the Civil Aeronautics Authority in 1947 we have been responsible for obtaining the CAA mechanics licenses for over 100 students. 2. Over 75 percent of these students are now employed in the aviation industry, for the most part locally and for firms doing overhaul work on Government contracts. We also have a number of students in our classes that are presently employed at Norton Air Base and commute from San Bernardino daily. 3. At least one-third of the aero equipment since our approval in 1947 have been received from your agency. 4. A typical example of one of our graduates is Mr. David Powell, 8206 Burgandy, Cucamonga, Calif. Mr. Powell was a gas station operator and enrolled in our aero mechanics course in March 1950. He graduated in June 1952 and received his CAA license. He obtained immediate employment in the aviation industry. He is now employed as a crew chief on the flight line for Lockheed Aircraft Corp., here at International Airport, in Ontario. Lockheed's contract with the United States Government is a jet plane overhaul contract. I hope this information will be of some value to you. I can attest to all the facts as stated above. Sincerely, FRED FELSCH, Head, Aeronautics. Mr. E. R. ANDERSON, State Agency for Surplus Property, Sacramento, Calif. LODI UNION HIGH SCHOOL, DEAR SIR: We would like to submit a report on one of our typical students who has benefited by the training received in our shops on surplus property equipment. This training was offered in our woodshop and includes the following machines secured from your agencies: 1 DeWalt radial saw 1 Wysong & Miles hollow-chisel mortiser 1 Meat-cutting band saw converted for woodwork Our student, Doyle Hart, received 2 years' training in our shops followed by 2 years' work experience in the Electric Planing Mill, Stockton, Calif. He was called into the United States Army and is stationed now in Germany. Shortly after arriving there he was placed, because of this experience, in the cabinet and repairs shop of a large hospital. This story could be repeated many times using other names of our graduates in this department. Our sincere thanks to you, and to the agency, for your services in securing this valuable equipment. Had it not been available to us in this way, it is very doubtful that our school would have been able to offer training on this type and quality of machinery. Yours truly, ARTHUR O. PAYTON, Head, Department of Industrial Arts. Mr. McCORMACK. We have any number from colleges and hospitals, probably hundreds of communications, and I have some others which will be listed at the end of the hearings. I have a communication from Congressman Brooks Hays enclosing letters from the superintendent of the North Little Rock public schools, from the director of administration of the State Hospital Board of the State of Arkansas, from the dean of the University of Arkansas School of Pharmacy, and from the supervisor of the Arkansas State Agency for Surplus Property. (The letters referred to are as follows:) Concerning H. R. 3322 Congressman BROOKS HAYS, BOARD OF EDUCATION, House Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN HAYS: During the first years of the surplus-property program, the schools-as well as other governmental agencies-over the entire United States benefited greatly from the property which they received under this program. However, during the past few years-since the plans for the acquisition of this property was changed-the value and amount of surplus property which has been available to the schools and local and State governmental agencies has been reduced almost to the vanishing point. Business firms and other commercial agencies are in the position of being able to offer the highest bid on any available property; and, in almost every instance, have been able to outbid the schools. For this reason, we sincerely urge your support of H. R. 3322. Yours very truly, CLIFFORD S. BLACKBURN, Congressman BROOKS HAYS, Capitol Building, Washington, D. C. STATE HOSPITAL, Little Rock, Ark., February 10, 1955. DEAR CONGRESSMAN HAYS: In behalf of the staff of the State Hospital, Little Rock, Ark., I would like to take this opportunity to request your cooperation on the passage of a bill which we understand will be presented in the very near future. The bill is H. R. 3322, which provides for the release of surplus properties to qualified State agencies, such as ours, and relieves the stockpiling of equipment that is not needed by Federal agencies. This institution has received several thousand dollars' worth of equipment which has been donated to us through the surplus-property division of the State department of education, but we feel that a great savings could be made if this bill is passed and additional property made available for our use that is now being stockpiled and not being used by any agency. The surplus-property division of the State department of education has been very helpful to us in securing much of our needs for equipment that we are not able to buy due to lack of funds, but it is felt that their benefit to this and other institutions of this type in Arkansas would be greatly increased by the passage of the above-indicated bill. We appreciate very much your interest in our institution and in assisting us in our problems. Sincerely yours, Congressman BROOKS HAYS, K. W. NEWMAN, Director of Administration. UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS, SCHOOL OF PHARMACY, Little Rock, Ark., February 16, 1955. Capitol Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN HAYS: I am writing you today to ask your very special consideration and emphasis on the passing of H. R. 3322. It is very difficult to overemphasize the tremendous value that Government surplus property has been in the establishment and operation of, in particular, this professional school of pharmacy of the University of Arkansas Medical Center. As you know, available funds for the advancement of all forms of education is drastically low. Education all over the United States needs this assistance. After all, the taxpayers of the United States have paid for this property and it seems only reasonable and right to release it to those educational institutions that can use it. Here in the medical center, I would personally consider it a great loss to have this privilege of buying surplus property taken away from us. I am sure other States have problems similar to ours in that we rarely have enough money to more than pay for schools existence. Therefore, the privilege of securing this aid by way of surplus Government property saves literally thousands of dollars of taxpayers' money, and at the same time helps us to operate a more efficient school. Passing this bill will in the end help all the people instead of a few commercial enterprises. Every effort you can give to the above consideration certainly will be appreciated by all the people of this country of ours. Sincerely yours, STANLEY G. MITTELSTAEDT, Dean. Hon. BROOKS HAYS, STATE OF ARKANSAS, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, Little Rock, Ark., February 14, 1955. United States House of Representatives, DEAR MR. HAYS: The eligible public health and public educational institutions of this State have profited by many thousands of dollars by the acquisition of surplus property under the Federal Surplus Property and Administrative Act of 1949. Since February 1, 1954, however, the flow of usable and needed property to these institutions has been critically reduced. This reduction has resulted from a directive by the Department of Defense stock funding all property except that which has little or no monetary value. Good property, such as vehicles, hand tools, shop equipment, refrigerators, cafeteria equipment, office furniture, business machines, and like items, are being sold to speculators at the surprisingly low return of 6 percent and less of acquisition cost instead of being returned to taxpayers who need it so badly. Representative John W. McCormack, of Massachusetts, has introduced H. R. 3322 which will, if passed, correct this practice and return this property to our tax supported and tax exempt institutions. Your interest in these institutions is known and your active support of H. R. 3322 will be appreciated. Yours very truly, G. A. KEELING, Supervisor, Arkansas State Agency for Surplus Property. Mr. McCORMACK. A letter was received from Robert F. Nolan, supervisor of the division of vocational education of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Mr. Nolan testified, but included statements from the educational and health units of Massachusetts. (The letter referred to is as follows:) Mr. RAY WARD, THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION, Boston, Mass., January 21, 1955. Staff Director, Intergovernmental Relations Subcommittee, Committee on DEAR MR. WARD: In accordance with your request, I am submitting herewith the statements made by representatives of the various educational and health units you visited during your recent visit to this State. We have been delayed in sending these due to school vacations, but I believe they express the interest of the units and show that they are able to make effective use of surplus in the best interests of the general public. Very truly yours, ROBERT F. NOLAN, Supervisor. STATEMENT FROM EDUCATIONAL AND HEALTH UNITS, MASSACHUSETTS 1. Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Donald G. Clement, plant superintendent I thought you might be interested in a "behind the scenes" use of a piece of surplus property that we were so privileged to obtain through the surplus property program. This is a typical incident in the routine of my departure at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital. We are called on frequently to construct various pieces of experimental equipment that are being used by the surgeons and chemists in this institution. A short time ago, we were called upon to construct a large tank, to which an elevating device was to be attached to raise and lower a stretcher bed, so that a patient could be submerged in a bath of ice. This is done to chill the blood of the patient and reduce the body temperature sufficiently, so that a delicate operation could be performed. We were at a loss as to what we should use in the construction of the elevating equipment, until we struck on the idea of using some stainless steel 2-inch tubing which we obtained from surplus. This, with angles and steel rod was satisfactorily used, so that our end of the operation was pronounced very successful. Because of the low handling cost to an institution of this sort, we are able to experiment more successfully than if we had to pay the tremendously high cost of materials at the present time. We wish to thank you again for the opportunity of obtaining surplus materials through your agency, which has always been most helpful. 2. Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Dean A. Clark, general director This is to express our recognition of and appreciation for the substantial aid provided us by the surplus property donation program during the past year. Under the program we have been able to acquire needed items of replacement and addition to professional equipment as well as administrative furniture requirements, which we would have been financially unable to obtain otherwise. Having access to this surplus Government property has not only affected our accomplishments in the area of patient care, but directly facilitates our contribution toward civil defense. Many of the items acquired through your program are used in our training and research programs. The need for trained nurses and doctors in civil-defense work is self-evident and requires no elaboration here. The achievements in our medical research laboratories, though not so readily discernible, very frequently contribute directly or indirectly to civil defense, and we are grateful for your part in facilitating this work. We look forward to your continued valued contribution during the coming year. 3. St. Elizabeths Hospital, Sister Mary Alma, O. S. F., administrator In the past 5 years it has been our privilege to go to the surplus warehouse perhaps twice every year. Long before the semiannual visit the supervisors of various departments come to remind me that it must be getting time for us to go to Taunton, and enumerated several items which they would like to have if available, but which perhaps do not come under the category of being strictly essential. For example, the science laboratory in the school of nursing has as one of its laboratory experiments growing of bacteria on various types of media. This can be done by improvising the favorable environment of darkness and warmth and moisture. In 1954, however, students should be given the opportunity of using an incubator. Up to now the expenditure was not authorized. After our fall trip to Miles Standish, the school now has its long desired incubator and our students have the opportunity of growing bacteria in the accepted method of today rather than the improvision of 40 years ago. The nursing school likewise benefited by the replacement of some 30 of its beds which long deserved retirement. Other pieces of furniture-chests of drawers, chairs, have been replaced by better units taken from Government surplus and refinished by our maintenance department. In addition to the nursing school St. Elizabeths Hospital has a medical education program involving the whole staff but more especially some 28 or 30 medical students, interns, and residents. These young people have benefited from the surplus program by replacing of some wornout beds, bookcases, chairs, chests of drawers. In the general laboratory, additional facilities have been acquired which made available to the house staff whatever units which they could use without disturbing the regular laboratory staff. Additional anesthesia machines have provided wider possibilities for instruction in anesthesia. A surplus resuscitator outfit was made available for the emergency department which is not only an additional tool for the resident staff, but likewise of value to those in need of resuscitation in the emergency department. An X-ray therapy machine widened the scope of the residency in radiology as well as providing more complete facilities for the treatment of cancer. Miscellaneous surgical instruments and pharmaceuticals have contributed to the general equipment and thereby to the greater efficiency of the respective departments. Very little, if any, of the surplus materials have not been used up or are not in daily use. Practically nothing has gone into storage. The Government services have some return from this institution in that even in a very cursory glance through the graduates in the last 5 years indicate that 60 are now in the services from Thule to Jacksonville and from the east to the west coast of this country with all points in between. Thirty of the medical resident staff who have been here in the last 5 years are now in the Government services from one end of the world to the other. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the appreciation of the trustees of St. Elizabeths Hospital as well as that of the medical staff, the nursing staff, and the entire personnel for the contributions received from Government surplus. These contributions have made for greater efficiency throughout the institution. It is hoped that while surplus properties do exist, it will be possible for us to avail ourselves of them. |