New-York tribune., 1914-12-24
SCHOOLS TO FEED
STARVING PUPILS
Hundred Kitchens Start
January | to Serve Soup
at Cent a Bowl.
ALL TOO POOR TO PAY
WILL BE FED FREE
Maxwell Announces Plan While
Vile Attacks Churchill for
Relief Work.

Soup kitchens in the public schools
are 70 be opened on January / 20 meet
the need in the poorer districts. Food
prepared BY the schoolgirls will De sold
for one cent a portion, and children
who cannot afford the two or three
cents for a full meal will be fed free
from a fund which Superintendent
Maxwell will raise.
DR.. Maxwell made this announcement
at the meeting OF the Board OF Educa-
tion yesterday afternoon. II is planned
20 start the relief az once in one hum
dred schools throughout greater New
York. The regular course in cooking
will be abolished. and the girls IN Z
cooking classes will peel potatoes, cut
meat and bake bread for several thou
sands OF children
The menu provided will be soup,
cocoa, bread and perhaps apple sauce.
Hungry children may be served not
only at noon but in the morning.
Want Big Soup Kettles.
DR.. Maxwell said yesterday that the
only obstacle in the way Of the work
was the lack OF proper utensils IN
which 20 cook large quantities. lie IN
tends 70 appeal at once for 10000 TO
soup kettles and bread ovens. He an
ticipates no trouble in securing the
money. and will devote his Christmas
vacation TO kitchen shopping.
The raw materials for the luncheons
will be provided from funds appropri-
ated for the purchase Of raw materials
for the cooking lessons.
DR.. Maxwell said he anticipated cen
sure from a portion Of the pubic, out
he was prepared 20 face II, as he telt
the intense need this season JUSTIFIED
his acts.
This information from the Superin-
tendent of Schools came az the climax
20 one of the most stirring meetings
the Board of Education has had IN
long time. Il was offered BY DR.. Max
well in support Of President Churchlll'
who was severely attacked by DR.. Ira
S. Vile because Of relief work already
being done in the schools.
Vile Attacks Relief Work.
The work criticised is that OF the
Central Relief Committee Of Teachers
which undertakes TO collect clothing
from well-to-do children and give II 70
those who are in need DR.. Vile read
an appeal from this committee. and
tions we're made when the bylaws eH-
pressly forbade such actions.
at is not the function of the Board
Of Education to organize department
of charity within ITSELF he SAID.
Much harm can be done by wrongful
giving. and il should not be intrusted
10 teachers who have no philosophy OF
charity, but are moved by tender IN
pulses only"
AT the close of DR.. Wile's attack
the board was in an uprosr. Dr'
Denis J. Mcdonald sprang 70 his feet,
declaring that there must be no red
tape for children who we're suffering
The board resolved itself into com
r.ttee of the whole and put the re-
porters out. ..4
When the men were resdmltted
Vice President John Greene was IN the
chair. and President Churchill, very
red and angry, was sitting at one OF
the desks. He made a strong defence
of his act in permitting the formation
os relief committees in the schools.
Churchill Uses Iron Fist.
This is no time for philosophy; u
is a time TO I'LL stomachs thst arc
enptv." he said. at is said that help
is often given 10 unworthy cases.
say that any stomach that Is empty Is
worth filling.
This kind Of work has been going
on for years in the schools IN quiet
unostentatious way, through the noD!e-
hearted teachers who could not pear
70 see needs unsatisied. ! am tender
enough TO be proud Of the company
am keeping. ,.,
Cf large
Board Of Education is that the presi-
dent must have an iron hst. NeH' l
had one this time, and | brought II
down with velvet glove. III DO u
again, too, unless you say me nay
"Tbis action was not taken without
GREAT care. Commissioner Stein and
CON missioner Gillespie both gave me
the benefit OF their advice as 20 lts
legality. and Superintendent Maxwell
apnroyed il. There is nothing IN the
appeal about collecting money, wnlch
is the only thing forbidden by the by
laws"
Likens Teachers to War Nurses.
Commissioner Stein said the women
teachers deserved 10 stand with the
nurses on the battlefelds Of Europe IN
the admiration Of the public for their
tenderness and devotion 20 the Needy
children under their charge.
Commissioner Somers testified that
there were many cases which teachers
saw which would never come to the
notice Of organized charity.
The board rejected Dr.. Wile's mo-
ton that the relief work be disap-
proved, and Mr.. Churchill was hailed
with applause by the indignant mem
bers.
The Board Of Education also debated
the matter of reducing the size OF the
hoard. but finally referred Il back to
the special committee. which has been
studying it for year. The committee
is instructed 70 prepare definite plan
Of reorganization.
Abraham Flexner. chairman OF the
committee, protested that TO do TINS
would be 70 rewrite the whole educa-
tional charter. His committee. he said,
would refuse 20 act. This action Of the
board practically amounts 70 killing the
small board for another long period Of
time.
@vx- xyHHafz rHTTs