New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-14
BETTER FOOD FOR wAGE-woRKERs.
RESULT OF INVESTIGATIONS OF FAMILY DIET
ARIES on THE EAST SIDE OF
NEW YORK CITY.

WASHINGTON Feb l3-The result Of Investigations
,n.o the food habts of a number OF families in the
ooncested districts Of New-York City I'm 1895 and
1896 has been made public by the Agricultural De-
partn1ent In a report entitled Dietary Studies IN
NeN-Y'ork city" The report was prepared by Pro-
fessors w O. Atwater and c. d Woods, under
whose Immediate direction the Investigations were
conducted. with the cooperation Of the New-York
Issocis ton for the Improvement Of the Condition
~ the Poor The general plan of the work con-
sisted in visiting q number OF typical families in
the most congested portions OF the city, observing
the kinds and amounts Of fcod which they bought
and the prices which they paid, noting whether
or not they obtained good weight and measure. and
subecting specimens OF the food materials TO anal
ysis for the purpose OF learning their nutritive
values
The work in Network City was done mostly by
Or Isabelle Delaney. Tho investigation consisted
mainly Of the study OF detaries Of families of the
poorer classes the majority OF whom were on the
East Side near the junction OF Cherry and Cath
1rne SITS The people In whose families the studies
were made represented a large number or occupa-
,ions In Some instances they were slovenly and
shftless and took little interest in the appearance
o. their homes and tables. Other families, though
ignorant we're willing and anxious TO learn how
,hev might improve their habits Of living. The
main results Of each study are given, with brief
discussion Of the chief features.
Following this ore some valuable suggestions re-
moor II IS Impossible the report SAYS, 10 lay down
any hard-and-fast rules which shall govern the
purchase OF food by a family. as these must TO a
very great extent oe determined BY the different
local conditions.
IN many Of the families there was no attempt
made 20 spread an attractive table. One OF the
most commoa obs rvations among those who are
familiar with the habits OF the poorer classes OF
wage-workers tie report continues is TO the erect
that not ,rconsiderable amount of the prevalence
OF intenoperance can be traced 20 poor food and un
attractive home tables. throughout all these det-
aries there was shown very little comprehension
OF The actual nutrtye value Of the food purchased
nc selection apparently being made according 70
some whinn or taste, the presence OF certain food
materials IN tho market. or because the house
keeper he'd DO, ONE accustomed 10 purchasing GER
Tain kinas Of food. The larger number OF farnhes
spent more than they really could arord Tor fopG
and yet frequently received insufficient nourlsh-
ment. . -,
The question how these people could have OBJ
tanned more nutriment for the money expenditure
r. answered only In the mOst general terms. IL is
suggested that one Of the best and surcst ways 70
improve the condition Of the poor is 10 give them
practical Instructions and obJect-lessons In the
preparation q attractive yet simple and cheap
FOODS The subjects on which the women should be
nutritious food materials and those best adapted
In point Of and ease OF preparation 70 the
needs and circumstances Of the family and direc-
lions such as shall enable the keeper 10 pre-
pare simple wholesome and palatable dishes from
such food