Evening star., 1934-01-29
DIVIDED AUTHORITY
BLAMED FOR POOR
SCHOOL LUNCHES
DR.. Louise Stanley Makes
Observation at Mrs. Roose.
veIt's Press Conference.
EXPERT TO BE PLACED
IN CHARGE OF KITCHEN
Wisconsin Avenue Manual Train
ing Building Selected as
Headquarters.
Too much divided authority has been

Too much divided authority has been
responsible for the inadequate menus
served at the luncheons for children
in the public schools Of Washington,
DR.. Louise Stanley, chief Of the Bureau
OF Home Economics, told members Of
Mrs. Roosevelt's press conference to-
day in the White House
DR. Stanley stated that plans were
made over the past week end to have
a central headquarters where the food
which will be served in the various
schools will be prepared. In addition
to this central headquarters. DR.. Stanley
said that the appointment Is pending
Of woman who will be responsible
not only for the preparation Of the
food. but for the balancing Of the
menus and the quality of food served
The name OF the woman being con-
sidered for this position was not dis
closed at the conference. but 1t is un-
derstood that she will come from out
of town.
Headquarters Selected.
The Wisconsin Avenue Manual Train
ing School on Wisconsin avenue be-
tween r and S streets has been selected
for the central headquarters and opera
tons were started today to install IA
cilities necessary for the preparation
OF food on this large scale It is un-
derstood that the large cooking vessels
necessary will be borrowed from the
Army Quartermaster Corps.
To avoid embarrassment Of children
who hesitate to partake OF these free
luncheons in the schools. Mrs. Roose-
velt told members of her conference
today, the ultimate objective of any
NJ lyry1n iv, hn 1ip
schools should be universally provided
in all schools"
The First Lady further pointed out
the Importance Of luncheons for all
children in schools. She stated that in
many cases where parents can afford
to pay for luncheons that the children
not having place nearby where nour-
lshlng food may be purchased buy
candies and cakes with the money given
them for their midday meal.
Workers to Be Transferred.
Commissioner George E. Allen today
announced plan to transfer so women
from the civil works service occupations
at sewing centers to provide personnel
for the central kitchen program had
been approved.
Meanwhile. arrangements were being
made with Capt. Louis Webster, Quar-
master Corps, u S. A., for the loan of
field kitchen equipment for operation of
the new central kitchen plant until the
District has been able to obtain neces-
sary permanent equipment.
Capt. Webster was designated bv
Maj. Gen. John De Witt to cooperate
with District officials in making ar
rangements temporarily until a perma-
nent program was set UP.
Mrs. Roosevelt Protested.
The change in the plans followed
protests voiced by Mrs. Roosevelt
against the quality of the lunches now
being served to more than 1000 pupils
after the First Lady had made a sur
prise visit to some of the schools at the
time the lunches we're being served
Commissioner Allen declared today
that all red tape would be slashed and
that every effort would be made to get
the program working in the best pos
sible style
The new plans were discussed today
by the Advisory Committee. headed by
Mrs. Frederick H. Brooke, appointed by
Commissioner Allen some time ago to
advise officials as to the lunch program.
He conferred this morning also with
IL bOoAoC oedlAiCy, AiCdo Va eliC ouAC eau
Of Home Economics, Department of
Agriculture. and Mrs. Mary Lindsey Of
the Dodge Hotel on the question Of i'm
proved menus. Capt. Webster, DR..
Stanley and Mrs Lindsey were named
a special committee by Commissioner
Allen on phases of the program.
Allen Takes Responsibility.
There has been some discussion Of
who has been to blame for the failure
Of provision Of milk as portion Of the
lunches during the past month, but
Commissioner Allen said today that no
matter who failed to get this part Of
the program started as promptly as re-
quired, "the blame is mine, because II
some one did not do It, should have
seen that 1t was done"
Federal emergency relief officials had
said the District could have milk and
fruit for the lunches. through allot-
mentS from the Federal Surplus Relief
Corporation, but to date these products
have not been forthcoming. it Is re-
ported. Last week, Leroy A. Halbert,
director of emergency relief, called for
bids for supplying Of milk, and Satur-
day contract was awarded to the Fair
fax Farms Dairy. Milk was to have
been provided the school children
today
If the Bradley School Building is
turned over for the central kitchen
plant, it will be necessary to relocate
the sewing center work Of the civil
works program in other quarters.