The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1941-08-28
WNU Service, 1343 Fl Street, N. W.
Washington, ID. c.

For the past few weeks the direc-
tors of rural utility companies and
the members of co-opcratives which
furnished electric light and power
have been hearing about a new idea.
The idea has to do with a judicious
mixture of kllOW2tts, vitaminS and
dollars-its purpose is to bring the
kitchen to the schoolhouse and more
nourishing food into the home.
The idea was launched at a din
e at Grand Island, Neb., and the
dinner was addressed by four prom
inent persons who weren't there
Cthey talked by telephone and loud
speaker) and by officials Of the
Rural Electrification administra-
ton. The people who weren't there
were the secretary of agriculture.
Claude Wickard. the federal secu-
rity administrator, Paul McNutt,
the commissioner of education,
John Studebaker, and the REA ad-
ministrator, Harry Slattery.
The next day the plan was de-
scribed in detail to the Grand
Islanders.
Wallace Statement.
Perhaps the best way to explain
the plan is to begin with a recent
remark of Vice President Wallace:
ION a foundation of good food we
can build anything. Without it, we
a build nothing . We want to
make sure that u millions are so
fed that their teeth are good. their
digestive systems healthy. their re-
sistance to premature old age en-
HANGED through strong bodies and
alert minds"
That is part of the crcdo of the
food for defense" program. And
the Rural Electriication admins
tration hit on the idea of starting
things in the One-roOm schoolhouse.
The electric power and light wires
of the 1924 systems which receive
loans from the government pass by
some II, 545 school buildings. More
than half of them are one-room.
Many already are electrically light
ed and more lines are being con-
structed by more schoolhouses.
Says the REA to people in
these communities: Install electric
equipment in these one-room
schools which will make it possible
for the children to have warm
lunches. Make the school a nutri-
ton center where the proper choice
and preparation of foods is taught.
If possible, obtain equipment for
three methods of preservation of
food for the use of the community.
(The three methods are refrigera-
ton (~perhaps ~freezing), calming,
and dehydration.) Also, addja an in
expensive mill for the grinding of
whole grains which have the vita
minis and the other contents which
we know the American diet now
lacks.
Asks Free Equipment.
The REA also suggests to the men
who WI the cooperative power
lines that they install the equipment
free. Two large manufacturing
companies have already agreed to
sell the schools the necessary equip
ment at low rates and on easy
terms.
The cheapest equipment, without
the refrigerator, would cost about
$50. That would provide hot plates,
a rooster, a small flour mill, a small
dehydrator.
The most expensive equipment
includes a Walk-in refrigerator with
a freezing equipment, larger mills
and dehydrators, water pressure
and water heater systems.
The purpose of making such in
s%tallations is two-fold. One is to
make available proper lunches and
demonstrate their preparation to
the children in the hope that they
will carry home the ideas. The
second is to provide centers for
demonstration by experts. and also
a place where the women of the
So11l1llGll4tJ SoA plSS$ANS AOON,
where food can be kept in frozen
storage and where facilities for dry
ing and canning for the use of men,
bers of the community are at
hand.
The final goal of this plan is ex-
pressed in Vice President Wallace's
reference to "strong bodies and
alert minds" The immediate pur-
pose is to provide a practical means
of starting the nutrition program
in the place where it will sprout-
the school.
Food From Home.
Imagine the child, instead Of car
rying a cold lunch to school, taking
the food that can be cooked there.
There is food on the farm. Sup
pose the children bring their W