Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-8ctnn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T20:14:57.134Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Church Groups and Federal Aid to Education, 1933–1939

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 February 2017

Extract

Earliest efforts to provide some form of federal aid to education can be traced to the days of the Northwest Ordinance of 1785. The century following provided many precedents in legislation and judicial interpretation and witnessed the long heritage of interest by various groups in such proposals. Gordon Lee has carefully examined this background and has analyzed the first major efforts to obtain federal aid for the schools during the years 1870–1890. During the twentieth century there has been a continuous and increasing interest in proposals for federal aid to elementary and secondary schools. More than a dozen bills have received serious consideration by Congress between 1900 and 1945 and since then federal aid bills have been introduced regularly in every session. Congress, however, has failed to pass any of them.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1964, University of Pittsburgh Press 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Notes

1. Lee, Gordon C., The Struggle for Federal Aid: First Phase: A History of the Attempts to Obtain Federal Aid for the Common Schools. 1870–1890 (New York, 1949).Google Scholar

2. U. S. Library of Congress, Legislative Reference Service, Federal Aid for Education: A History of Proposals Which Have Received Consideration by the Congress of the United States (1789–1960). Prepared by Miller, Helen A. and others. Printed for use of the House Committee on Education and Labor, 87th Congress, 1st Session, May, 1961 (Washington, 1961).Google Scholar

3. See Adelheit Abrams, Albertina, “The Policy of the National Education Association Toward Federal Aid to Education, 1857–1953” (unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Michigan, 1955); Evarsit Fernand, O.F.M., “An Investigation of the Social Philosophy of Three Major Groups Opposing Federal Aid to Education” (unpublished doctoral dissertation, St. Louis University, 1957); Gauerke, Warren E., “The Attitude and Activity of Labor Concerning Federal Funds for Education, 1914–1947” (unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Chicago, 1949).Google Scholar

4. Herberg, Will, Protestant-Catholic-Jew: An Essay in American Religious Sociology (Rev. ed.), Garden City, N. Y., 1960.Google Scholar

5. Lee, op. cit. Google Scholar

6. Clegg, Ambrose A. Jr., “Federal Aid to Education: A Study of the Interest of Church and Labor Groups in Proposals for Federal Aid to Elementary and Secondary Schools, 1890–1945” (unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of North Carolina, 1963), 48–9. See Dissertation Abstracts, XXIV, No. 8, 1964.Google Scholar

7. The most extensive discussion of the New Deal's educational efforts is Harry Zeitlin, “Federal Relations in American Education, 1933–43: A Study of New Deal Efforts and Innovations” (unpublished doctoral dissertation, Teachers College, Columbia University, 1958, microfilm). See also, Hopkins, Harry L., Spending to Save: The Complete Story of Relief (New York, 1936).Google Scholar

8. Catholic Educational Review, XXVIII (March, 1930), 129–64. The encyclical was dated December 31, 1929.Google Scholar

9. Ibid., 140. Cf. Pierce v. Society of Sisters 268 U.S. 510 (1925).Google Scholar

10. Ibid., 143.Google Scholar

11. Ibid., 155, 157.Google Scholar

12. Ibid., 157.Google Scholar

13. Bastnagel, Clement, “Authority of Papal Encyclicals,” Catholic Educational Review, XXVIII (March 1930), 166–69.Google Scholar

14. Rev. Johnson, George, “The World Crisis and Its Challenge to Education,” Proceedings and Addresses, National Catholic Education Association, 1932, 5859.Google Scholar

15. For extended documentation see, Clegg, Op. cit., 109–10.Google Scholar

16. Zeitlin, , op. cit. Google Scholar

17. America: “Federal School Subsidies” (editorial), LI (July 14, 1934), 314; “Federal School Autocracy” (editorial), (August 11, 1934), 410.Google Scholar

18. Congressional Digest, XIII (February 1934), 51–3.Google Scholar

19. Paul, L. Blakely, S.J., “Federal Aid for All School Children,” America, LIV (March 7, 1936), 522–23.Google Scholar

20. America: “Federal School Control” (editorial), LVII (August 2, 1937), 469–70; Blakely, “A New Theory of American Citizenship: Catholics Are Only ‘Limited Citizens’,” LVIII (March 12, 1938), 532; “Federal School Aid” (editorial), (March 26, 1939), 590; “Federal Aid for Private Schools” (editorial), LIX, (April 30, 1938), 84–5.Google Scholar

21. Ibid. Google Scholar

22. Johnson, George, Congressional Digest, XIII (February 1934), 51–3. Paul L. Blakely, S.J., “Federal Aid for All School Children,” America, LIV (March 7, 1937), 522–23.Google Scholar

23. Cochran v. Board of Education, 281 U. S. 370 (1930).Google Scholar

24. Justice for Catholic Schools” (editorial), Commonweal, XXIII (April 24, 1936), 705706. America: Blakely, “Federal Aid For All School Children,” LIV (March 7, 1936), 522–23; “When Congress Owns Our Schools” (editorial), LV (July 11, 1936), 324–25; Blakely, “State Aid for Children at School: But Catholic Children Are Stepchildren,” LVI (November 21, 1936), 153–54; “Federal School Control” (editorial), LVII (August 2, 1937), 469–70.Google Scholar

25. Johnson, George, Congressional Digest, XIII (February 1934), 51–3. Johnson, , “The Catholic Schools and American Democracy,” Proceedings and Addresses, National Catholic Education Association, 1936, 73–86.Google Scholar

26. Kohlbrenner, Bernard J., “Public Funds for Catholic Schools,” America, L (January 20, 1934), 378–79. See also, Kohlbrenner, “Beginnings of Federal Government Relations to Education,” Catholic Educational Review, XXXVI (April 1932), 218–22.Google Scholar

27. The Advisory Committee on Education, Report of the Committee, House Document No. 529, 75th Cong., 3rd Sess., 1938 (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1938, Serial No. 10254), 35. Hereafter cited as 1938 Advisory Report. The report was reprinted by the Government Printing Office later in 1938 with different paging and format and was given wide public distribution. Pages cited herein refer to the original edition.Google Scholar

28. Ibid. Google Scholar

29. Ibid. Google Scholar

30. U. S. Congress, Senate, Subcommittee on S. 1305 of the Committee on Education and Labor, Federal Aid to Education Act of 1939. Hearings on S. 1305, 75th Con., 1st Sess., 1939, pp. 116. (Cited hereafter as 1939 Senate Hearings.) Google Scholar

31. Statement of Rev. Johnson, George, Director of the Department of Education, National Catholic Welfare Conference, Ibid., 196–99.Google Scholar

32. America: “Federal Subsidies for Catholic Schools” (editorial), LVI (December 12, 1936) 228–29; “Federal School Funds” (editorial), LVIII (April 2, 1938), 613–14; “Federal Aid for Private Schools,” (editorial), LIX (April 30, 1938), 84–5.Google Scholar

33. Federal Subsidies Offered Catholic Schools: Should Federal Money Be Taken or Rejected?America, LIX (October 1, 1938), 610–11.Google Scholar

34. 1939 Senate Hearings, 195.Google Scholar

35. Ibid. Google Scholar

36. Ibid., 199–201.Google Scholar

37. Muelder, Walter G., Methodism and Society in the Twentieth Century. Vol. II of Methodism and Society. Edited by the Board of Social and Economic Relations of the Methodist Church. (New York, 1961), 142.Google Scholar

38. Federal Aid to Education” (editorial), Christian Century, LVI (January 4, 1939), 8.Google Scholar

39. Ibid. Google Scholar

40. For extensive documentation of these protests in such journals as Biblical Recorder, Christian Century, Watchman-Examiner, and The Presbyterian, see Clegg, op. cit., 124–25.Google Scholar

41. Christian Century: “Again—Public Funds for Sectarian Schools” (editorial), LV (March 16, 1938), 324; “Aid for Catholic Schools in New York and Maryland” (editorial), LV (June 8, 1938); “Aid to Private School” (editorial), LVI (January 4, 1939), 8, 9.Google Scholar

42. Shoats, Vernon L., “The Perils of the Union of Church and State,” Watchman-Examiner, XXVII (April 6, 1939), 366.Google Scholar

43. Zeitlin gave little credence to the notions that Catholics exerted any special influence, had a “pipe line” to the President, or that President Roosevelt was fearful of alienating Catholics. He was critical of unfounded and unsupported claims, such as those advanced by Appel, that the Catholic issue was a real consideration. “Such claims simply must be weighed in terms of the dearth of conclusive evidence.” Zeitlin, op. cit., p. 285. Cf. Morris Appel, “Franklin D. Roosevelt and Education” (unpublished doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 1947).Google Scholar

44. Fraser, “Is Separation of Church and State in Danger in this Country?” Watchman-Examiner, XXVIII (April 20, 1939), 430–31. Reprinted in the Biblical Recorder (May 10, 1939), 10.Google Scholar

45. Burrell, David D., “Public Funds for Private Schools,” The Presbyterian, CVIII (June 2, 1938), 67.Google Scholar

46. The Issue of Public Aid for Parochial Schools,” Information Service, Department of Research and Education, Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America, XVII (June 4, 1938), 13.Google Scholar

47. Federal Aid to Education” (editorial), Christian Century, LVI (January 4, 1939), 9.Google Scholar

48. For extended documentation from Protestant journals see Clegg, op. cit., 129.Google Scholar

49. 1937 House Hearings, p. 365. See also Paul Mort, Federal Support for Public Education (New York, 1936), 266–68.Google Scholar

50. 1937 Senate Hearings: Rogers, Elmer C., Supreme Council, Scottish Rite Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, U. S., 88. Thomas Little, Protestant Defense League, 304–5. Christian Century: LV (November 1938), 1458–60; “Southern Baptists Firm for Church Freedom” (editorial) LVI (May 31, 1939), 692;” Threats to Religious Liberty” (editorial), LVI (June 21, 1939), 790–91; “Baptists Will Cooperate” (editorial), LVI (July 5, 1939), 846–47. Religious Herald: Wright, Harry T., “The Bible in the Public Schools,” CXI (September 15, 1938), 5. Watchman-Examiner: Truett, George W., Presidential Address at Sixth Congress of the Baptist World Alliance, Atlanta, Ga., XXVII (August 31, 1939), 975.Google Scholar

51. The Presbyterian: Burrell, David D., “Public Funds for Private Schools,” CVIII (June 2, 1938), 67; Burrell, “A Threat Repeated,” CIX (February 23, 1939), 7–8. Christian Advocate (New York): Frank M. McKibben, “What is Education,” CXIV (January 19, 1939), 60, 72; “A Threatening Proposition” (editorial), CXIV (March 30, 1939), 292. Christian Century: “Federal Aid to Education” (editorial), LVI (January 4, 1939), 9. 1939 Senate Hearings: Statement of Holmes, Wilbur, Committee on Education; and Memorandum of George, W. Robinette Executive Secretary, Church League of America, 238–50; Gould Wickey, Executive Officer of Council of Church Boards of Education and the National Council of Church-Related Colleges, 369–73.Google Scholar

52. Biblical Recorder: “Federal Educational Bill” (editorial), March 1, 1939, 7; “The Thomas-Fletcher Bill” (editorial), March 29, 1939, 7.Google Scholar

53. Frase, John F., “Is Separation of Church and State in Danger in This Century?Watchman-Examiner, XXVII (April 20, 1939), 430–31. This same article was reprinted several weeks later in the Biblical Recorder (May 10, 1939), 10.Google Scholar

54. Resolution adopted at the Quadrennial Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 1938, as quoted in 1939 Senate Hearings, 248.Google Scholar

55. McKibben, Frank M., “What is Education?Christian Advocate (New York), CXIV (January 12, 1939), 36, 47; Christian Century (editorial), LVI (October 4, 1939), 1189.Google Scholar

56. Wolves in Sheep's Clothing” (editorial), Biblical Recorder, February 2, 1939, 6.Google Scholar

57. Christian Century (editorials): “A Cardinal Speaks,” LV (April 6, 1938), 423–24; “Aid for Catholic Schools in New York and Maryland,” LV (June 8, 1938), 718; “Catholic Bus Bill Adopted by New York Convention, LV (August 10, 1938), 955–56; “Threats to Religious Liberty,” LVI (June 21, 1939), 790–91.Google Scholar

58. Leo, Pope XIII, Encyclical Letter, “The Christian Constitution of States” (1885); Burns, James S., Growth and Development of the Catholic School System in the United States (New York, 1912); and Ryan, John A. and Moorehouse, F.X. Miller, S.J., The State and the Church (1924).Google Scholar

59. Threats to Religious Liberty” (editorial), Christian Century, LVI (June 21, 1939), 791.Google Scholar

60. Abel, Aaron I., American Catholicism and Social Action: A Search tor Social Justice, 1865–1950 (Garden City, N. Y., 1960); Broderick, Francis L., The Right Reverend New Dealer: John A. Ryan (New York, 1963).Google Scholar

61. A recent effort to fill this gap is John Courtney Murray, S.J., We Hold These Truths (New York, 1961).Google Scholar

62. The Issue of Public Aid for Parochial Schools,” Information Service, Department of Research and Education, Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America, XVII (June 4, 1938) 13. Christian Advocate (New York): Frank M. McKibben, “What is Education?” CXIV (January 19, 1939), 60, 72; “Religion and the Public School,” CXIV (February 2, 1939), 108, 120; “When Church and State Cooperate,” CXIV (February 9, 1939), 132, 144. Watchman-Examiner (editorials): “Christian Responsibility to Educate,” XXVII (September 14, 1939), 1025. Statement of Gould Wickey, Executive Officer, Council of Church Boards of Education, 1939 Senate Hearings, 369–73.Google Scholar