N.Y. Instructors' Affiliations Under Board's Scrutiny

The movement to winnow out "subversive teachers" from New York State schools scored a success on March 30, when the Assembly passed the Feinberg Bill by a vote of 122 to 25.

This act, sponsored by State Senator Benjamin F. Feinberg, directs the Board of Regents, which governs the school system, to draw up a list of "subversive" organizations and dismiss any teachers or school administrators found belonging to them. It suggests that the Justice Department list of "subversive" groups be used, but leaves the matter entirely in the hands of the Regents.

The Regents are also empowered to dismiss school employees for the "utterance of any treasonable or seditious word or the doing of any treasonable or seditious act, regardless of their affiliations."

In reply to protests by the law's opponents, William J. Wallin, chancellor of the Board of Regents, declared last month that there would be no "witch hunts."

Last Friday, the Regents denied requests by many groups to hold public hearings on the law. Then they announced that they would begin an inquiry some time in June in order to draw up the list of "subversive" organizations.