Federal File: In the cards; Heir apparent; Teachers' pet?

When word got out in December that the Congress had eliminated funding for the Blue Ribbon Schools recognition program this year, federal officials received a barrage of mail and telephone calls.

Money was eventually found, but not before an unusual missive arrived at the office of Representative William H. Natcher, the Kentucky Democrat who is chairman of the appropriations subcommittee that oversees education spending.

At a heating last week, Mr. Natcher said he had received a 9-foot-tall postcard from Wylie, Texas, that pleaded: "Save...