Trainman News

Coalition of 40 Presses for Aid to Schools

Support for immediate federal aid for the schools is coming from one of the broadest coalitions of pressure groups seen in recent years.

Embracing 40 national organizations, whose officials are doing leg work on Capitol Hill which may make the difference between the drive's success or failure, the bloc is sparked by a handful of member groups. They are:

National Education Association -- with 561,963 members in all states. NEA is today kingpin of the school bloc. At its Washington headquarters, a staff of nearly 500 carries out its varied programs. Legislative work is handled by a commission which functions through the legislative division, headed by James L. McCaskill.

A Southerner with broad administrative experience, McCaskill played a key role in organizing the 40-group coalition. He and his staff are directing a stream of wires and letters urging federal aid. NEA President is Waurine Walker.

Council of Chief State School Officers -- Long-time advocate of federal aid, the Council is currently playing a hard-hitting role in the school construction drive. Although the Council is small -- it has 53 members -- it has much influence. Dr. Edgar Fuller, executive secretary, an ex-miner and former teacher, knows leading Congressmen well, frequently is among educators testifying before committees.

American Vocational Association -- AVA is a federation of affiliated state vocational groups. Its executive secretary, Dr. M. D. Mobley, ex-vocational teacher, has helped stimulate systematic programs, in Congressional districts across the nation, to promote federal aid to schools. He speaks for 33,000 members.

Labor and Veterans

In addition to the major educational groups, several spokesmen for labor, veterans and other interests have leading roles in the drive. Labor is represented by the American Federation of Labor, the Congress of Industrial Organizations, and powerful individual unions such as Textile Workers of America (CIO), and United Auto Workers (CIO), and the BRT.

Among the labor lobbyists cooperating in the drive are such men as ex-Rep. Andrew J. Biemiller (D-Wis, 1945-47, 1949-51) of the AFL; John Edelman, Textile Workers, pioneer laborite; George Guernsey, CIO; and Paul Sifton, UAW, ex-journalist who serves as close advisor to CIO President Walter Reuther.

Also among the coalition's more active members are the Jewish War Veterans of the U. S., whose legislative work is handled by Bernard Weitzer, former business paper executive; and American Veterans of World War II, of which David Schlothauer is executive director and legislative chief.

Working with these organizations are church groups, including the Friends Committee on National Legislation, and the farmer-members of the National Farmers Union.

Ladies, Too

A considerable amount of the coalition's strength comes from women's groups and feminine lobbyists.

For example, the American Association of University Women is currently sparking write-in campaigns. Its legislative representative is Mrs. Louella Berg.

One of the most influential advocates of immediate federal aid -- the National Congress of Parents and Teachers -- is represented in the current drive by Mrs. Ed-