Please be advised that by action of the membership
at our regular meeting held October 3, 1970, by unanimous vote,
request that you oppose the nomination of S.P. Marland, Jr. as
Commissioner of Education as he lacks the qualifications for
that office.

The last few days have been spent studying the past history of
President Nixon's nomination of Sidney P. Marland, Jr., as
United States Commissioner of Education. As a result, we have
reached the conclusion that this nomination is ill-advised and
unworthy of the great traditions of public education in America.
As Chairman of a Junior College School District, as well as one
with a long association with our local public schools because of
my position with organized labor, I feel somewhat qualified to
pass judgment on this situation.

It is true, and I am conscious of the fact, that serious problems
exist on many of our campuses. However, it is equally true that
many people (including some elected officials) are exploiting
these problems for personal gain to the extent that irresponsible
and/or extreme reactionary forces are making waves which could
ultimately destroy the public education system of our country
the very basic fiber of our Democracy.

not

Perhaps to many the appointment of the Commissioner of Education
is not nearly as important or as glamorous as the appointment of
a Supreme Court Justice; however, we believe that it is equally
if perhaps not more important. Judges come from education
vice versa. I therefore believe that the closest scrutiny
should be given to this important position.

The record of Sidney P. Marland, Jr., does not indicate that he is qualified, nor has he earned the right to this position. He has had a negative attitude toward teachers' rights and has been too closely associated with the needs of "the education business" rather than the needs of education per se.

Now is the time for objectivity, reasonableness and constructive
leadership, not pre-conceived prejudices and perhaps conflict
of interest.

We therefore seek your opposition to confirmation of this
nomination. Thank you.

Very truly yours,

W. L. Fillippin

W. L. Fillippiní, SECRETARY

WLF: g

I have been instructed by the delegates to our Council

to urge you to oppose the nomination of Sydney P. Marland, Jr., as U. S. Commissioner of Education.

Mr. Marland has been an outspoken foe of the right of teachers
to join organizations of their own choosing for collective
bargaining purposes.

Again, we urge you to oppose Mr. Marland's nomination with
all the vigor you can command.

Sincerely,

Richard H. Suur

Richard K. Groulx

Executive Secretary

RKG:cb
opeu:29
afl-cio

53-103 O 70-17

Office of

JOE SELENSKI

Executive cretary

SACRAMENTO CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL AFL-CIO

Embracing Amador. El Dorado. Nevada. Placer. Yolo and Sacramento Counties
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA 95814

PHONE 442-4983

ADDRESS ALL COMMUNICATIONS

TO THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

1210 H STREET

October 7, 1970

JAMES F. ALEXANDER
President

The Honorable Ralph Yarborough

Chairman, Senate Labor and Public

Welfare Committee

United States Senate

Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Sir:

The Sacramento Central Labor Council has gone on record in opposition to the nomination of Sydney P. Marland, Jr., as United States Commissioner of Education.

Throughout his career, Marland has continually taken stands against labor. His background in education proves that he is not a modern progressive educator, and we feel sure there are men

far more capable of serving the country in this area.

We urge that you oppose Marland's nomination to this very

AFFILIATE OF THE CALIFORNIA LABOR FEDERATION AND CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL OF ALAMEDA COUNTY

UNITED TELEGRAPH WORKERS

AFFILIATE OF THE

AFL-CIO

FORMERLY THE COMMERCIAL TELEGRAPHERS' UNION

WESTERN UNION DIVISION

LOCAL 208

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA 94612

146

1419 BROADWAY ROOM 633

October 2 1970

::

The Honorable Ralph Yarborough

Senate Office Building

Washington DC 20510

Dear Senator

This is to seek your aid; as Chairman of the Labor and Public Welfare Committee to prevent the confirmation of Sydney P Marland Jr; as United States Commissioner of Education.

Mr Marland has been an outspoken foe of the right of teachers to join organizations of their own choosing for collective bargaining purposes. Recently he urged Congress to enact federal legislation to deny teachers the right to strike.

Teachers must have the means to establish a strong organization and the absolute right to exert economic pressure to accomplish a wage structure that will attract the very best people into the profession.

It is also urgent that we have a Commissioner of Education with a philosophy that will not generatemore campus strife.

Sincerely,

& Ross

President