Statement by Commissioner of Education Earl McGrath, Federal Aid and the Emergency
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OCR Page 1 of 10FEDERAL AID AND THE EMERGENCY*
The first plan for this conference provided that I address
myself solely to the problem of "Federal Aid for School Construction.
But since in the months immediately ahead the international situation
will have a direct and important bearing on legislation relating to
domestic matters, I asked for and received Mr. Marston's consent_to
broaden the discussion. Hence, I should like to discuss, first, the
emergency context in which all education legislation will have to be
considered; second, the legislation on which the Office of Education
of the Federal Security Agency has stated its position; and, third,
the specific problem of Federal financial assistance for school
construction.
The differences between 1940 and 1950 are threefold: the extent
of the mobilization; the probable duration of the crisis; and the dual
strategy necessary for success. It becomes increasingly clear that
the peoples of the Free World face the probability of a prolonged
period of stress during which they must maintain armed strength at
unprecedented peacetime levels, while at the same time struggling
for a just and lasting peace. No one can forecast at what intensity
international tension will be maintained. At best, it will fluctuate
uncertainly. It may last a year, five years, a decade, perhaps a
generation. There is only one assumption with which it is safe to
enter 1951. That is the assumption of full strength--both military
and non-military--for the long pull.
Facing a long pull we must build combat strength and keep it
at a high level for an undetermined period. We must also extend
and strengthen the basic services which meet our non-military needs
Today's unprecedented situation demands "total marshalling" of all
resources for full strength--both non-military and military. And
the hope of peace lies precisely in the degree to which we do both
of these things well.
There must be no moratorium on basic essentials Military
strength is one essential; but it is only one. In terms of the
final values we wish to defend and promote, it would make little
difference whether democracy was destroyed by conquest, by infil-
tration, or by losing its own character. An effective national
policy for the long pull will be one which assures necessary mili-
tary strength and at the same time assures the continuance of the
basic necessities of non-military services such as education, health,
research, social services, and the production of essential civilian
goods.
*By Earl James McGrath, U. S. Commissioner of Education, Federal
Security Agency, Washington, D. C. at the Third General Session of
the National Conference on Federal Aid to Education, called by the
Legislative Committee of the National Education Association, in
Washington, D. C., November 14, 1950.
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