The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-01-23

OPCO1dl 1O11NAs
81 consider the situation as
grave an emergency as could
exist" said DR.. Morgan.
Children in growing days
must have milk. Otherwise,
they reflect that lack in ten
denotes to tuberculosis and IN
other diseases.
Continued lack of milk would
mean that these thousands OF chill
dren become health problem in ten
or fifteen years, and easily could
affect the public health of the next
generation"
Few Get Milk
The clinic under direction of DR..
Morgan have provided milk for a
small number of children under a
limited city appropriation. The
clinics provide milk where necessary
for children up to 10 months.
Out of the LOO children under
the care of the clinic, only 1876 re-
ceive free milk. There is no way to
obtain milk for the others.
Mayor Sullivan called to his office
late Friday members of the county
commission, the township trustees,
representatives of private charity
organizations, and attorneys for the
different groups.
Figures to Be Challenged
While informed by the Chamber
of Commerce that the figures as to
the extent of the need and the
number of children denied milk
would be challenged as incorrect,
the mayor took the stand that the
children of this city must have milk
and that some plan for financing
the bill would be found.
The estimate of DR.. Morgan as to
the cost for a proper supply of milk
for all children whose families are
unable to buy it ranges as high as
$4,000 month.
Mayor Sullivan called attention
to the limitations by law upon
authority of city officials to meet
the situation, except as a health
board measure OF emergency. The
law, he pointed out, is not framed
on the theory that the government
shall feed people. But the fact of
the grave need of children made it
necessary that prompt action be
had.
Effort Is insufficient
There is some conflict as to the
extent to which milk has been pro-
vided for families of the unem-
ployed. That an effort has been
made by all who have any hand in
distribution of foods is admitted.
That the effort has been inadequate
and insufficient also is admitted.
The officials who conferred with
the mayor will be expected to map
out a general plan of action. 1t is
probable that the situation will be
placed in the hands of the board
of health as an emergency measure
and that any distribution of milk
will be under the machinery already
organized for the clinics.
Will Insist on Safeguards
While emphatic in his declaration
CT h. -
Mayor Sullivan also is concerned in
protecting the relief movement from
any imposition by those who are
able to pay for necessary supplies
for their children.
Survey by the social agencies also
disclosed that the predicament of
children of school age is less seri-
Gus than that of those under that
age. Milk distributed in the schools
has protected the older children.
The city has had a most enviable
record of low rate of mortality
among children. The clinics estab-
lished by Dr. Morgan are given
credit for this rate, the lowest of
any midwestern city.
IT consider the milk question the
most important social factor in In
dianapolis today" was the state
ment of David Liggett, director of
the Community Fund, under whose
direction the survey of needs was
made.
Need to Be Met
Il consider the matter public
emergency as grave as that of any
epidemic, and possibly worse in its
future consequences" says DR.. Nor
gan.
And under this impetus public Of
ficials are looking for a plan under
which it is legally possible to meet
the bills for the emergency and to
distribute milk to this vast army of
tots who are the victims of depres-
sion.
These children must have milk, .
says Mayor Sullivan. I'VE will not
be imposed upon. But the need
will be met, no matter what the cost.
This city stoo rich to contemplate
failure to give proper food to its fu-
ture citizens in so grave a crisis"