Evening star., 1934-10-14
Free School Luncheons.

ClllluIeu Is dIeduy pTOuuCllS SOIne
controversy over the manner of select
ing the eligibles; that is, the children
entitled to this new form of municipal
aid. From a list of 922 children in the
junior and senior high schools and
vocational schools, certified by the
school officials as eligible for the free
luncheonS computed at the cost of
ten cents per day per child, the relief
authorities eliminated 573 Immediately
as not eligible because their families
were not listed as active" cases on the
relief rolls.
Those who favor the enlargement of
the free luncheon service naturally
argue that the eligibility rule thus de-
clared is unduly harsh and to all prac-
pauper'S oath before giving a child the
food he apparently needs. There will
be more discussion of the subject, but
it is relatively safe prediction that
the end of the present school year will
find all children selected by the school
authorities as eligible receiving free
luncheons, regardless of whether their
families have applied for relief. That
is the present trend.
Congress provided free text books for
the first six elementary grades in 1891,
the original appropriation being $685.
900. Ten years later the provision of
free text books was extended to the
first eight grades, the appropriation
for that year being 5000. But it
was not until 1882 that Congress pro-
vided free texr books for all the chill
dren in the public schools, and appro-
priated $225,00 for the books. After
the original, heavy investment in new
books the cost for the current fiscal
year of the text books amounts to
about $4,000.
But the provision of free luncheons
to school children is making more
rapid headway. 1t became an emer-
gency governmental function last
January, when the cost Of free lunch
cons to some children in the ele-
mentary grades was assumed by the
relief authorities with funds from the
Federal Emergency Relief Administra-
ton. At the close of the school term
last June 1900 children in the ele-
mentary, junior and senior high
schools were being fed at the monthly
cost-in May-of approximately sl6,-
$50. The cost for the period. Janu-
ary to June 20, was $61,118.
The relief authorities have estimated
that 6,621 pupils will be fed during
the coming week, and the money
grant for October Is $4,000. II the
number of children is not materially
increased during the rest of the year
the cost of the undertaking in the
1934-5 school year will be in the
neighborhood of $150,00o, which is
about twice the cost of free text book
replacement and supply. Indications
are, however, that the free luncheons
will cost more.
An interesting consideration is that
provision Of free luncheonS has become
governmental function without spe-
cific legislative authority. Once un-
dertaken it is unlikely that it will be
dropped. The tendency, on the other
hand, will be to enlarge the program
until the free luncheons will be pro-
Vided for all public school children,
as in the case Of free text books,
but Of course at much greater cost.
And it will not be long before the
argument is advanced that it is il
logical to supply public school chill
dren with midday luncheons and not
provide them with warm, comfortable
clothing.
While the cost of the free luncheons
is now largely betrayed by the Ma
tional Government from its relatively
plentiful supply Of relief funds it is
merely a question of time before the
cost will be charged directly against
local revenues. The subject is worthy
Of careful consideration by local tax
payers, painfully familiar with the
existing inadequacy Of school equip
ment and personnel provided to meet
the primary responsibilities Of the
schools in education.