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Those of us who have been dealing with this matter here in Washington for some time know that these three aspects of vocational rehabilitation are intermingled. We believe, however, that the major administrative emphasis in the field is in training and in education, and we favor leaving the administration of vocational rehabilitaton at the State level in the State boards of vocational education where it is now placed.

We, therefore, would like to suggest to your committee, Mr. Chairman, that you eliminate from Senate bill 2759 section 5 (a) (1), which would dangle before legislatures and governors the idea of removing the vocational-rehabilitation work of the State from the State board of vocational education and placing it in some separate agency.

We believe honestly, and I believe it is not a jurisdictional matter of selfishness, that because vocational rehabilitation begins primarily with training and education and brings in the other services, this activity should be administered at the State level in the State boards of Vocational education as at present.

If the other alternative is authorized, we may have one setup in a State, another setup in a second State and numerous exceptions to the regular system. Each one of those exceptions causes trouble. Each one causes difficulties to the other States, and we believe that administratively and organizationally there ought not to be a splintering of the structure at the State level in vocational rehabilitation.

So, we hope you will consider carefully, Mr. Chairman, the elimination of section 5 (a) (1) and the reinstatement of the provisions in the 1943 amendments covering that point.

Now, this is a difficult thing for me to testify about in many ways. I sent inquiries to the members of the board of directors of the chief State school officers, including the president, who is the State superintendent of California, and the first vice president, who is your own State commissioner of education in Connecticut, Mr. Chairman, and seven others, as well as to the legislative committee, and I have telegrams here from most of them.

There is no agreement, apparently, with the formula for distribution of funds which has been suggested by Mrs. Hobby and by Under Secretary Nelson Rockefeller and by the vocational-rehabilitation agency in the Health, Education, and Welfare Department. The chief State school officers express general support of the bill for its expanded services, but they believe that the bill introduced by Senator Potter, of Michigan, Senate bill 3039, I believe it is, carries a better formula for the distribution of funds. As Mr. Whitten said in previous testimony, a number of State directors of vocational rehabilitation, working as a committee, formulated that bill and it was introduced by Senator Potter at their request.

We have telegrams here from Nevada, West Virginia, California, Massachusetts, Montana, Michigan, and Wyoming favoring the Potter bill as a whole.

We have no communication which goes all the way with Senate bill 2759.

Now, that may sound contradictory to say that we are in general support of it, but that general support is limited to the services that are offered in the bill.

We hope that at least the present appropriation of $23 million in support grants for the regular program will be maintained and that

if there are extension and improvement and special project grants those will be in addition.

We believe there ought to be a longer period of time given to the States to make the adaptations which are necessary to match Federal funds, should the formula of S. 2759 be adopted.

Personally, I believe I could speak from experience as a State commissioner of education and as an executive officer in this field in saying that the 10 percent the first year, 55 percent the second year and then full adaptation the third year-the procedure outlined in the administration bill-is too short a time. The adaptation would be impossible for many States to make, as a practical matter, within the 2 years allowed.

Senator PURTELL. What would be a reasonable time in your view, sir?

Dr. FULLER. Well, I don't know, but 2 years, you see, would catch many legislatures unprepared.

Senator PURTELL. That is right.

Dr. FULLER. I think it is generally thought by our people that two sessions of a State legislature are required in order to insure that the State will have time to speak through its legislature.

Senator PURTELL. That means about 4 years.

Dr. FULLER. About 4 years, instead of 2. Some of the adaptations the States would have to make under S. 2759 are extreme. For instance, some States would have to double the State allotment, while the program would be cut down to half or two-thirds of its present strength until that doubling of the State amount was achieved.

We would like also to suggest that the so-called Busbey rider on the appropriations bill last year be repealed. We believe that rider, in view of the President's desire and the Health, Education, and Welfare Department's desire for an expanded program in vocational rehabilitation, is not a justifiable provision, and we hope you will give careful attention to the possibility of repealing it.

I would be glad to enter these telegrams from our board of directors and legislative committee in the record, Mr. Chairman, if you would like to have them.

Senator PURTELL. They will become a part of the record. (The telegrams referred to are as follows:)

Dr. EDGAR FULLER,

OLYMPIA, WASH., April 1, 1954.

Executive Secretary, National Council of Chief State School Officers, Washington, D. C.:

Oppose method provided in S. 2759 for alloting funds to the States. Under this bill Washington would lose over $200,000 a year by 1957. Approve allotment provision in S. 3039. Services need to be expanded. Provision should be made for services to all persons who are public charges and need vocational rehabilitation for return to self-support. Existing law and pending bills are limited in that a person must have a physical or mental disability and be vocationally handicapped. Many unemployed adults who are public charges have no physical impairment but could be returned to self-support through vocational rehabilitation services. Your help in this matter will be appreciated. Mrs. Wanamaker will be in Washington Statler Hotel April 4 and 5.

BORGHILD HELGESEN,

Administrative Assistant, State Office of Public Instruction.

Dr. EDGAR FULLER,

ALBANY, N. Y., April 2, 1954.

Executive Secretary, National Council of Chief State School Officers,
Washington, D. C.:

We favor principles contained in administration bill, S. 2759, and financial structure of Potter bill, S. 3039. Administration bill, S. 2759, would be satisfactory with revised financial provisions. L. A. WILSON, New York State Education Department.

CHEYENNE, Wyo., April 1, 1954.

EDGAR FULLER,

Secretary, National Council of Chief State School Officers,

Washington, D. C.:

We support the Potter bill, S. 3039. Do not feel support of independent agency inclusion advisable. Administration bill method of determining grants to States would wreck Wyoming's rehabilitation program. Must not permit formula for distribution of funds in Administration bill, S. 2759, to remain.

EDNA B. STOLT,

Superintendent of Public Instruction,
Wyoming State Department of Education.

EDGAR FULLER,

Washington, D. C.:

HONOLULU, April 2, 1954.

We support S. 2759. With recommendation that financing provisions for basic program be similar to S. 3039.

CLAYTON CHAMBERLIN.

LANSING, MICH., April 2, 1954.

EDGAR FULLER,

Executive Secretary, National Council of Chief State School Officers, Washington, D. C.:

Michigan favors Potter bill for vocational rehabilitation.

CLAIR L. TAYLOR,

Superintendent of Public Instruction.

JACKSON, MIss., April 2, 1954.

EDGAR FULLER, ·

Executive Secretary, National Council of Chief State School Officers, Washington, D. C.:

We prefer S. 2759 for vocational rehabilitation. However, we urgently request that your testimony be in favor of keeping administration of rehabilitation under the State board for vocational education as now constituted.

ED FULLER,

J. M. TAUB.

HELENA, MONT., April 2, 1954.

National Council of Chief State School Officers, Washington, D. C.: Montana State Board of Education on record to our Senators opposing S. 2759 as proposed. S. 3039 much preferable. Senator Murray, Montana, has detailed information. Regards.

MARY M. CONDON.

TALLAHASSEE, FLA., April 2, 1954.

EDGAR FULLER,

National Council of Chief State School Officers, Washington, D. C.: In general I favor expanded vocational rehabilitation program provisions of Senate bill 2759 with increased rather than decreased Federal funds for Florida. Financial provisions of Senate bill 3039 would be satisfactory.

THOMAS D. BAILEY.

EDGAR FULLER,

COLUMBIA, S. C., April 2, 1954.

Executive Secretary,

National Council of Chief School Officers,

Washington, D. C.:

Prefer basis

Prefer rehabilitataion remain under State department education. for distribution of funds two-thirds by Federal Government one-third by State. Smith bill makes this possible first year. Low income States cannot match dollar for dollar.

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Re April 1 telegram, we oppose Senate bill 2759 insofar as it relates to the financial sections. No opposition to Senate bill 3039.

ROY E. SIMPSON, Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Dr. EDGAR FULLER,

CHARLESTON, W. Va., April 2, 1954.

Executive Secretary, National Council of
Chief State School Officers,

Washington, D. C.

Favor Potter bill. Oppose separate agencies as proposed in S. 2759. Federal share to State share may well be adjusted to become 66% to 33% by 1957 for all the States and for any additional appropriation.

W. W. TRENT, State Superintendent of Free Schools.

HARTFORD, CONN., April 2, 1954.

EDGAR FULLER,

National Council of Chief State School Officers,
Washington, D. C.

We approve S. 2759 except for its financial provision; as a method of financing we approve method found in S. 3039.

FINIS ENGLEMAN.

CARSON CITY, NEV., April 2, 1954.

Dr. EDGAR FULLER,

Executive Secretary, National Council of

Chief State School Officers,

Washington, D. C.

Support Porter bill. Believe period of adjustment should be lengthened;

nullify section 5a bill 2759.

GLENN A. DUNCAN,

Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Dr. EDGAR FULLER,

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., April 2, 1954.

Executive Secretary, National Council of

Chief State School Officers,

Washington, D. C.

Favor S. 2759 with reservations. Not separate vocational rehabilitation from education. If 50-50 matching is must we want 3-year cushion period. However, in opportunity for increased Federal funds for basic program.

HUBERT WHEELER.

Dr. FULLER. The directors and members of the legislative committee were the only chief State school officers to whom my telegram of inquiry was sent, and most of them have replied. I think the sentiments expressed in their replies are the sentiments of the responsible State administrators throughout the country.

Thank you very much.

Senator PURTELL. Are there any questions you would like to ask, Senator Goldwater?

Senator GOLDWATER. No. I am pretty much in agreement.
Senator PURTELL. Thank you very much.

I haven't any questions, but I am very thankful to you and the committee is thankful to you for coming here and testifying.

If there are no questions and there is no further testimony that you wish to give, Dr. Fuller, I want to thank you for coming. Dr. FULLER. Thank you very much, sir.

Senator PURTELL. These hearings of this subcommittee will stand in recess until 10 o'clock tomorrow.

(Whereupon, at 11:53 a. m., the hearing was recessed, to reconvene at 10 a. m. tomorrow morning, Tuesday, April 6, 1954.)

46293-54-pt. 2—10

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