White House Press Release

1642 185 IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 26, 1948 The President today sent the following letter to the Honorable Joseph W. Martin, Jr., Speaker of the House of Repre- sentatives: Dear Mr. Speaker: I wish to express my earnest hope that the House of Representatives will take favorable action at this session upon legislation providing Federal aid for elementary and secondary schools. It will be recalled that, at the beginning of the present session, I repeated the earlier recommenda- tions which I had made to the Congress for legislation of this character, and that I included in the Budget for the fiscal year 1949 an estimate of $300 million to cover the cost of such legislation. Since the Budget was sub- mitted in January, it has become apparent that large expenditures above those contemplated in the Budget will be required for national defense purposes and for carrying out the provisions of new legislation which has been enacted by the Congress. The necessity for meeting these additional expenditures emphasizes, of course, the importance of practicing careful economy in other Federal expenses and postponing items that can be deferred. In the light of these circumstances, the question has been raised, quite properly, as to whether it is necessary for us to forego providing Federal aid to education at this time. I think it appropriate, therefore, that I should make clear the position of the Executive in view of the changed conditions with which we are confronted. I regard the proper education of our youth as a matter of paramount importance to the welfare and security of the United States. Public provision for education has been primarily the concern of the several States, and must remain so. The maintenance of freedom of thought and expres- sion depends in large measure upon keeping our systems of education free from central control. But it is necessary and proper that the Federal Government should furnish financial assistance which will make it possible for the States to provide educational facilities more nearly ade- quate to meet the pressing needs of our Nation. The cost of providing adequate systems of schools has long been beyond the financial resources of many of our States. Now a real crisis exists. Rapid increases in school population have resulted in overcrowding. Higher prices have brought sharp increases in construction and operating costs. Expanding employment opportunities in other fields have attracted teachers away from the schools. Many of the teach- ers who have stayed in the schools because of their interest in their work are underpaid and must have their salaries increased. We cannot expect to hold our present teachers, no matter how strong their devotion, nor to attract the additional teachers we need, unless they are properly compensated. Unless the Federal Government comes to the aid of the States in meeting these needs, there is danger of a serious breakdown in our systems of education. We cannot take such a risk. I am therefore convinced that the increases which have become necessary in other Federal expenditures present (OVER)