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In December 1971 the President vetoed the OEO -- Child Development bill which would have authorized $2.5 billion to begin a system of child day care centers (with health and education emphasis) for children from all economic strata, free to the poor, available to others at a sliding scale fee. The reasons for the veto were identical, even to phrasing, of John Birch literature opposing the program as inimical to the structure of the family (!)

See also attached excerpts relative to school lunch controversy in the fall of 1971.

Nixon also openly promised aid to parochial schools, but has never mentioned plight of public schools until State of Union speech on January 20, 1972.

The President's Wage-Price Board also refused to allow teachers to receive pay as provided in contracts agreed to before August 14, the date of the wage price freeze. Not until Congress passed Phase II and ordered teachers to be paid, despite administration objections did the issues begin to be resovled. Even so, the Wage Board delayed implementing the retro-active pay until well into the beginning of the New Year.

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