Ford Group Cites Scholar Shortage

A serious and growing shortage of scientists, engineers, doctors and teachers threatens this country, the National Manpower Council reported yesterday.

In its study which was presented to President Eisenhower, the Ford Foundation-sponsored group urged the government to take the lead in a drive to utilize the "vast reservoir of intelligent" youths.

The council recommended that steps be taken to insure the "education of those more capable of profiting from higher education than are currently obtaining it."

Recommending that full education should be insured for those "capable of profiting from higher education," the council estimated that only half of these now enter college and only 30 per cent graduate.

The study, carried on at Columbia University, was begun when Eisenhower was still president there.

Among other suggestions, the council proposed a scholarship and fellowship program supported by private and public funds "to help more young people of ability acquire a higher education."

It also suggested that the President appoint a commission to study the impact of government projects on the responsibility of universities to "advance fundamental knowledge and train tomorrow's scholars and scientists."

When the red-bound 263-page report was presented to Eisenhower, the President jokingly asked if it was necessary to use that color.