ABSTRACT
On January 6, 1949, a comprehensive federal-aid-to-education bill was introduced in the United States Senate. Since the Senate had approved a virtually identical measure nine months earlier, the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare dispensed with public hearings on the bill. After incorporating a few minor changes, the Labor and Public Welfare panel unanimously reported the bill on March 25. The most influential congressman to express his opinion on the Barden Bill was House Majority Leader John W. McCormack of Massachusetts, also a Catholic. Reacting sharply to the sentiments expressed by Mrs. Roosevelt, Cardinal Spellman on July 21 sent a seventeen paragraph letter to the former First Lady. The only Catholic congressman venturing to defend Mrs. Roosevelt and criticize Cardinal Spellman was George W. Jacobs. Jacobs’ district included Indianapolis, Indiana’s capitol and principal city, and all the surrounding communities of Marion County.
