The Washington times., 1909-05-10
Special Report on Meals of
Pupils Made by Caro-
line Hunt.
FINDS MANY WAYS
TO IMPROVE DIETS
Culture as Well as Hygiene One
of Objects of Investigation
for Uncle Sam.
By JOHN sNURE.

Tinted states Commissioner of Educa-
tion Elmer Ellsworth Brown, has Sc
cured the issue through the Department
of the Interior of a bulletin prepared
by CaroIine Il Hunt. on the subject OF
The Daily Meals OF School Children.
This bulletin Is likely to attract wide
attention among educators and IN eou-
cauonal circles and among all who are
interested in the question OF the feeding
of school children. According to this
bulletin. the social and educational side
of the Iuncheons taken by children in
the course of the school day and under
the oversight OF school teachers is ex-
tremeIy important
II would seem, from the tenor Of the
observations made in this Bureau Of
Education bulletin. that there are great
opportunities for culture and training IN
the humble piece of pie and the sand
wich, and that the possibilities of edu-
cation are not confined to the primer
and the speller. to the geography book
and the multiplication table.
Will Train Children.
III Miss Hunts ideas are carried out.
the country IS likely to become so well
trained in respect of table manners that
the man who eats pie with his knife
will be ostIScized and there will be none
80 crude and Grass as to fan to under
stand the proper and the improper uses
of the napkin.
However. other important suggestions
are contained in the bulletin prepared
by Miss Hunt. who emphasizes strongly
the growing Importance that is being
attached in all civilized countries 70 the
problem OF attending TO the proper feed
Ing of school children.
Miss Hunt was for four years profess
sor OF home economics In the University
OF Wisconsin
Dwelling on the Importance Of the
proper feeding of school children, Miss
Hunt says the proper feeding of school
children involves noJ only questions OF
hygiene but OF educational policy and
social economy, questions which are
only beginning to receive serious cOnsid-
eration-
Many Pupils Hungry.
"Of late" says Miss Hunt, this I'm
portant subject is being brought TO our
attention in new forms. Reports that
many school children, particularly in
large cities, are coming to school hun
cry. or are 50 underfed as to be unable
TO take advantage OF the instruction CT
fered them. have raised the question
whether free meals for school children
may not be a necessary means of Sc
curing that equality Of opportunity loT
which our public school system stands.
After bread. education Is the cry OF
those who are urging the feeding oi
school children al public expense.
Again tho growing emphasis which
is being placed upon the value Of the in
formal education Of the schools-thai
which Is given silently by the surround
ings of the child, and which is effica-
cious IN the formation Of cieanly and
healthful habits and OF good taste
makes II seem desirable that any food
which the child takes in the school
building, even II It Is taken from a
lunch box, should be so served as 70
contribute TO his training. We are be-
ginning, in fact. to see cultural pOssl-
bilities in the nContime intermission
which up TO a short time ago were un-
recognized even in educational circles.
Argument For Free Food.
In reality, though not Outwardly. Miss
Hunts bulletin constitutes a powerful
showing for the public feeding OF school
children. It is shown that great pro-
gress has been made in this direction in
Great Britain, France and some other
foreign countries.
One of the striking features of the re-
port is the evidence presented that food
obtained by school children from push
cart sand small shops is a menace to
health, neither wholesome nor safe.
This staten ent is made:
The principal OF the Friends School
IN Washington, had trouble with push
cart men. One day a pupil whose faith
er is manager Of anlarge hotel said in
cart man had offered 10 buy all the ice
cream left on the plates Ia his fathers
hotel. This statement put an end q
the push-cart trouble in that school,"