New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-25
A MOTHER'S DISTRESS.
SHE OBJECTS TO THE FOOD GIVEN TO STU
DENTS AT THE COLLEGES FOR
WOMEN

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The subject of the kind Of food and its
preparation which should be furnished the young
girls our colleges is a vital II the truth of
the matter could be got at public sentiment alone
would demand At radical change in the cult
nary department of almost every college of the kind
in the country. But the trouble is, the truth is the
last thing get.
Not many months ago an article on the food
given at of our principal colleges for women
went the round Of every newspaper In the country
and to those who knew how untrue 1t was 1t caused
a smile, more of the nature of despair than OF
mirth, for they knew how almost useless any de-
mia! would be. Now, when the matter has been
urged upon the attention of trustees ana man
ayers and all to 40 avail the derner resort OF the
mothers must be the public press. The least the
mothers demand and the most they would ask for
their growing daughters Is nourshing food, prop
erly cooked.
II some Of the presidents of these colleges would
apply the science Of domestic economy to the
kitchens and hire cooks who not only can but VIII
be made to cook the food properly. then the stu
dents with wel-nourished brains might be the bet
ter able to comprehend and use the sciences ana
philosophy with which they supplied by the
professors In their intense desire for all the ad-
vantages which the education of the colleges holds
out to them they early apply their philosophy
even during the first term, or they could not and
! would not submit to the kind of food given them
AS II Island no will deny this-many break
down I'm health. not from overwork. the public
| Is allowed to think. but really from lack of proper
food properly prepared. In the large colleges
! where cows are kept on the farm the milk ana
usually the butter, is really good. nut, as TWO young
| girls told the writer recently. one becomes rather
| ,ired of milk and crackers at every meal Tor
| months but there was little else they could eat
| Mothers have privately urged the attention of
| this subject upon those In authority yet 10 no
practical purpose. and they, from sense or cell
| cocv and really not wishing TO hurt IN the very
least the reputation of any college. nave retralned
| from making a public protest strong Souls STRONG
| orr girls They are to be the future mothers or
this our great land. They VIII want ana VIII ue-
mand stronger inteects and better bodies Tor their
| In this matter of good food the college man has
| an immense advantage over the college woman
| He has his club. which hires It's own co0k anu II
| the cook proves unsatisfactory he Is discharged
| and another Is put in his place III tnere were
| n clearing of most Of the COOKS ana MANY OF
the college stewards in our colleges for women the
| better IL would be for the general health ana
| omo,rt ~ brain work done. What are the moth
arH ~ the girls still in college going to do to help to
| this end OF nourishing food. properly prepared
Still write their futile letters TO those IN power
| How much good has 1t done? little PETER preau
| fewer canned vegetables. meats trlfle better III
| quality and age for month or TWO, theh d iaii'
| ing back into the same old rut. -. ~.
| Does that reach the root of the matter? Not al
all In our desperation we will az last turn 10 tne
fafhers and mothers OF the whole proau lano
Z through the press. Do you not thlnk that WI
| hiring n ouick response and a sure remedy: BE
! Ievng that by doing the eyes OF NOSE IN a e
our young "O''e"' ONE OF THE MOTHERS.
| New-York CITY July q, 1897.