The minimum salary for Negroes in our city is between 60 and 65 percent of the minimum salary for whites. This is somewhat better than it is in the State of Alabama as a whole. Our State board of education recently adopted a uniform salary schedule for Negroes and whites. This places the responsibility definitely on the local boards. The Birmingham Board reacted to this-that is the point I want to bring to you, because I think it has definite significance as follows: They found that the adoption of this State uniform salary schedule for the two races would automatically increase the amount of money that Birmingham would receive from the State, between $20,000 and $30,000. Upon our recommendation the board agreed that as a beginning this increase in revenue should be devoted exclusively to increasing the salaries of the Negro teachers, which, in their opinion, was only fair, right, and proper. The board of education is anxious to do something further for Negroes in the city of Birmingham. There are many very excellent Negro teachers in our city system. When the question came up, touching the decision of the United States Supreme Court which made it mandatory that this equalization should take place, the Negroes of our city school system-and not only of the city schools but of the county schools, and of the several school units in the county of which there are five-of their own volition passed resolutions which they submitted to our Board of Education, and with your permission I would like to quote at least one statement from this resolution. The CHAIRMAN. You may have the entire resolution inserted in the record. Dr. GLENN. I would be very glad to have the resolution inserted. This is a resolution passed jointly by the Negro public school teachers in Birmingham, Bessemer, Fairfield, Tarrant City, and Jefferson County, Ala., on February 11, 1941, and it reads as follows: Whereas, we are encouraged by the recent United States Supreme Court ruling regarding the equalization in salaries of teachers and educational opportunities without regard to race or color; and Whereas, we appreciate and endorse the action of the Alabama Association of School Administrators at its meeting held in Montgomery, Ala., January 27, when it appointed a committee headed by Dr. C. B. Glenn, superintendent of the Birmingham public schools and former president of the American Association of School Administrators, to present to the American Association of School Administrators at its meeting in Atlantic City, N. J., February 22 through 27, the urgent request that renewed effort be made to secure the enactment by Congress of a bill providing Federal aid for education; and— and this to me is the significant part, the attitude of these fine Negroes Whereas, we would not like to have the salaries of one group lowered in order to raise the salaries of the other group, which is never a satisfactory solution to a problem affecting two different groups of people who have to live together; therefore be it Resolved, That the local, State, and national governments be respectfully requested and urged to devise ways and means of correcting all differentials in public education; and be it further Resolved, That these resolutions be sent to the press, different educational and community organizations, political leaders, members of the State and National Congress, and to the President of the United States with the urgent request that they use their respective offices and personal influence to provide the funds necessary to carry out the principle of equitable distribution of educational opportunities for all American citizens. In connection with that resolution I would like to quote from a resolution passed by the Alabama Association of School Administrators. This is an organization in our State of white school superintendents. The State superintendent himself is a member and was present. The Alabama Association of School Administrators at its meeting held in Montgomery, Monday, January 27, appointed a committee, composed of C. B. Glenn, H. G. Greer, George W. Hulme, C. C. Moseley, W. C. Griggs, and Frank L. Grove, to present to the American Association of School Administrators at its meeting next month in Atlantic City the urgent request that renewed effort be made to secure the enactment by Congress of a bill providing Federal aid for education for the several States. A recent decision of the United States Supreme Court makes it obligatory that boards of education pay equal salaries and furnish equal facilities to white and Negro teachers. To accomplish this without reducing the salaries of white teachers, already too low, would require approximately $2,000,000 additional revenue. No funds are available for this purpose and based upon wealth per pupil enrolled, the citizens of Alabama are already taxed more heavily than in any State in the Union and should not be expected to make an increase. In recent years the question of Federal aid for education has been widely discussed and bills presented to Congress providing for it. At present, more perhaps than heretofore, favorable action by Congress seems highly important. While spending billions in our efforts to protect our democratic ideals, we should make sure of preserving them by setting aside a few millions for better educating our youth in the principles upon which our American way of life is founded. It was voted as the sense of the Alabama Association that earnest support be given to efforts toward securing Federal aid for education and that the matter be pressed vigorously at this time in order that in addition to the well-known benefits that would accrue, boards of education may be able to comply with the order of the Supreme Court and provide equal salaries for white and Negro teachers without detriment to the schools. I don't know of any better presentation of the point that I was invited to discuss with you, than to present those two resolutions. They represent the feeling of the Negroes and the whites of Alabama and their attitude toward this problem. Federal aid at this time will, in their opinion, go far toward its solution. This seems indeed an opportune time, a psychological moment for further cementing and assisting in solving the race problems in the South. The Birmingham Board of Education would be proud indeed to take the lead in an effort to comply with the ruling of the court, without injury to the schools--I emphasize that because I believe, as these good Negroes say, that it would be injurious to the schools, both races, if the salaries of the Negro teachers were raised at the price of reducing the salaries of the white teachers. And there is no revenue with which to do it in any other way in the city of Birmingham. The city of Birmingham levies for education all that it is privileged to levy under the Constitution; it can go no further. Based upon their per capita wealth, our citizens are already taxed out of proportion to citizens of other sections. They would welcome revenue from the Federal Government or from any source that would enable them to put into operation the equalization of educational opportunities. I will be glad to endeavor to answer any questions that you may wish to ask. The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Dr. Glenn. Senator HILL. I would like the record to show that Congressman Luther Patrick of Alabama has been sitting here with the committee. I want to say that Congressman Patrick is one of the most ardent and devoted advocates of Federal aid to education that we have in the Congress of the United States. The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Scott, please. STATEMENT OF C. H. SCOTT, PRESIDENT, FEDERAL EDUCATION LEGISLATIVE AGENCY, INC., WASHINGTON, D. C. Mr. SCOTT. Senator Thomas and other members of the committee: My name is C. H. Scott, president of the Federal Education Legislative Agency, Inc., Washington, D. C., with offices in the National Press Building. I am not going to read all of this, Senator Thomas The CHAIRMAN. Thank you. You heard what I said to Dr. Wilkerson and if you can help us in that way we will appreciate it. Mr. SCOTT. Thank you very much. Senator Hill, I heard you ask a question the day before yesterday of Dr. Dawson Senator HILL (interposing). Before you start your statement there are one or two questions I would like to ask you because I might have to leave, I am not sure. I would like to ask-if it is agreeable to the chairman-are you the Executive Director of the Federal Education Legislative Agency? Mr. ScoтT. Yes, sir. Senator HILL. Why did you organize that agency? Mr. SCOTT. I felt that there was a place of a full time legislative agency devoting its entire time, energy, and thought in behalf of Federal aid to education. During the past 8 years I have been president of the National Drainage, Levee, and Irrigation Association, working in behalf of legislation beneficial to the farmers in drainage, levee, and irrigation districts. We were successful in securing Federal appropriations of $125,000,000 for this purpose, as well as the passage of the Municipal Bankruptcy Act of 1934 and its repassage in 1937 after it was held unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1936. The farmers in many States having these problems secured relief which permitted them to retain their equities and thus save many years of hard work. By assisting in the passage of this legislation I was able to render constructive service. In addition to making a living and saving some money from such activities, I also was compensated mentally in knowing I had contributed something toward the welfare of the farmers of this country. Of course I knew that soomer or later these districts would be refinanced and put in a healthy condition which naturally would conclude our activities in this line. I wished to continue my legislative work which I found interesting. I felt there was a place both for groups and individuals in such work which I found was appreciated by members of Congress when the work is kept on a high plane and helpful when sound facts are intelligently presented. Some 3 years ago I approached a number of leading educators on the subject of organizing a full-time legislative agency to work in behalf of Federal aid to education. At that time I did not proceed because it was the opinion that the Harrison-Black-Fletcher bill would be passed by Congress; but it was not. About 6 months ago I approached Dr. Howard Dawson, rural director of the National Education Association, and told him I would like to work in behalf of Federal aid to education and that I had in mind the organization of an independent legislative agency which would devote its entire time, energy, and thought to Federal education legislation and not overlap any work now being done by professional groups promoting the interests of the schools of the country. Dr. Dawson told me that he felt there was a place for such an agency. He stated in a letter written me on December 31, 1940: While the National Education Association is very much interested in Federal aid for education and has actively advocated legislation to that end, it is not primarily, and cannot be, a legislative agency. The National Education Association is a professional organization of teachers, chartered to elevate the character and advance the interests of the profession of teaching and to promote the cause of popular education in the United States. In my opinion there is a definite need for an agency whose recognized business is to promote Federal educational legislation. I have discussed this matter with Dr. Floyd W. Reeves, chairman of the President's Advisory Committee on Education and director of the American Youth Commission, Dr. Willard E. Givens, executive secretary of the National Education Association, and other recognized educational authorities, and they agree in this opinion. He said, further, that the National Education Association would continue to cooperate, encourage, and lend its moral support as well as its many contacts and information for the passage of any bill sponsoring Federal aid for education if its provisions met with their approval. I was invited by the National Education Association to attend two conferences to discuss and perfect legislation in the interests of Federal aid to education. At the first meeting on January 3, 1941, I told Dr. Donald DuShane, president, Dr. Willard E. Givens, executive secretary, Dr. Howard Dawson, director of rural service and secretary of the legislative commission, and other members of the National Education Association present, that if the association would spend a minimum of $100,000 and become recognized as a legislative agency, and make a bold, aggressive fight to secure this urgently needed legislation, I would withdraw from this field and drop plans for perfecting our organization. Dr. Dawson had a conference with Dr. DuShane and Dr. Givens and informed me that they felt there was a place for such an agency as I proposed. He encouraged me to perfect its organization. I wish to insert the letter of Dr. Howard Dawson written to me on December 31, 1940, encouraging me to organize this new agency and stressing the fact that the N. E. A. could not afford to be classed as a legislative agency. I also offer a copy of a letter which Dr. Willard E. Givens wrote me on January 6, 1941, extending his good wishes for the success of this agency. (The correspondence mentioned follows:) NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Mr. CLIFTON H. SCOTT, National Press Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. SCOTT: Your letter of December 4 has been received. I am glad to know that you have proceeded with your plans for perfecting the work of your agency. I have every confidence that you will succeed in this important work and I know of no one who I think could do a more efficient thoroughly reputable job in this particular field. I have watched your legislative work with the National Drainage and Irrigation Association and your most extraordinary accomplishments in securing relief for distressed farmers in drainage and irrigation districts throughout the Nation. I am still grateful to you for the good work you did in assisting us to secure the enactment of the Robinson-Terry Act in 1935 to authorize the Reconstruction Finance Corporation to refinance the debts of distressed school districts. Since I was a director of research for the Arkansas State Department of Education while you were a member of the State board of education I know that you have an unusual background for appreciating and understanding the financial problems of public education, especially those of the Southern States. I know also that you understand the viewpoint and relationships of the professional school men. I feel that your policy "to cooperate in shaping any proposed legislation with men and women who have given their life work to school problems" is a wise one and that you know exactly how to carry it out. While the National Education Association is very much interested in Federal aid for education, and has actively advocated legislation to that end, it is not primarily and cannot be, a legislative agency. The N. E. A. is a professional organization of teachers, chartered "to elevate the character and advance the interests of the profession of teaching and to promote the cause of popular education in the United States." In my opinion there is a definite need for an agency whose recognized business is to promote Federal educational legislation. I have discussed this matter with Dr. Floyd W. Reeves, chairman of the President's Advisory Committee on Education, and director of the American Youth Commission, Dr. Willard E. Govens, executive secretary of the National Education Association, and other recognized educational authorities, and they agree in this opinion. I wish you every success in this undertaking. Your success will mean much to the national welfare, because boys and girls throughout the Nation will obtain the kind of educational opportunity that ought to be considered their birthright as American citizens. To secure adequate financial support for public schools throughout the Nation is an act of patriotism and a contribution to the national defense. No straight-thinking person believes that it is fair, safe, or just for the Nation to reserve the right to draft the lives of its citizens and at the same time fail to keep open to every child and youth, of whom the supreme sacrifice may be demanded, a fair standard of educational opportunity. If at any time I can be of service to you, please let me know. HOWARD A. DAWSON, NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Mr. C. H. Scott, Federal Education Legislative Agency, Inc., National Press Building, Washington, D. C. I DEAR MR. SCOTT: Your letter of December 31 has been read with interest. am glad you have found it possible to give your time and ability to the support of this important cause. We were glad to have you take part in the discussion of the whole problem of Federal aid at our meeting on Friday afternoon. With best wishes to you for a year filled with health, happiness, and great achievement, I am Most cordially yours, WILLARD E. GIVENS. Mr. SCOTT. I contend that there not only is a place for the National Education Association in this picture but also for an independent. agency devoting its entire time to this work. I also take the attitude that any association which has been in existence since 1857 and has a membership of only 200,000 out of 900,000 school teachers and administrators of the country does not have a monopoly in deciding what these school forces should or should not do. I contend that, since the National Education Association only has from 25,000 to 40,000 teacher and school administrator members out of some 200,000 in the States where Federal appropriations are most needed, it evidently has not had a strong appeal for this personnel. |