Evening star., 1944-01-20
Pentagon Cafeterias
Operation Question
Goes Unanswered

lie question: OF now ana Dy WhOm
the Pentagon Building cafeterias
are to be operated after February
29, when the Welfare and Recre-
ational Association retires from
management. remained unanswered
today for $4,000 regular customers.
Col. H. w Isbell. Army head
quarters commandant. however.
paraphrased famous military
axiom to explain that future policy
will be based on the principle of
the mostest and bestest food for
the leastest.' Which was inter-
preted in some quarters to mean
that at least the regular 35-cent
lunch and supper is not to be
lacked up in price.
Col. Ishell's assurance was given
in explanation of a statement of
the reason why the Pentagon Res
taurant Council yesterday after
noon terminated the contract with
the Welfare Association which has
managed the six cafeterias and II
beverage bars since December, 1912
Reason for Action Stated.
The War Department announce
ment gave as the reason: The pur-
pose OF the termination Is to en-
able the War Department to oper-
ate this restaurant in a manner
more consistent with the policies
and practices now in effect and in
the future to be followed in civilian
feeding in military establishments
in the country"
Asked if he could tell in few
words what these policies and prac-
tlces We're, the commandant took
liberties with Gen. Nathan Bed
ford Forests axiom of warfare.
The operation of the cafeterias is
TOO serious a problem to be de-
clded at once. he explained, and it
was not known now whether the
Pentagon Council would undertake
the JOB itself or enter into another
contract with some private agency
Either one of these things might
happen, he suggested.
No other explanation was offered
lor the termination of the Welfare
Associations contract. The trustees
OF that organization. however. had
agreed to the issuance of the Of
ncial statement which added.
Inc Welfare Association believes
that relinquishing the responsibility
Tor this operation will enable it to
maintain more consistent standards
ana TO strengthen the present serv-
Ice IN its other operations in Gov
Iernment buildings. including other
operations in War Department
buildings, which will be continued
by the association"
Continue Other Cafe Work.
All OF which means that the We'll
iare Association will continue op-
Grating cafeterias in the Munitions
Building, the new War Department
Building and those occupied at
Gravelly Point and by the Quarter
master Corps. the Finance Depart
ment and Adjutant Generals De-
portments in the city.
Whatever the complaint leading
to termination of the Pentaeon
contract. no hard feelings seem in
volved, for it was announced that
the Pentagon Council and Welfare
Association will continue to co-oper-
ate and consult on mutual problems.
"As in the past" the War De-
partment said. all food services in
the Pentagon will remain under the
direct control and supervision of
the War Department with respon.
sibility for the efficient conduct Of
the business and the maintenance
OF desired standards of operation
and sanitation delegated to the
Army headquarters commandant
The Restaurant Council is headed
by Maj. Harvey X. Allen. 1t serves
as an advisory body and recon-
mends changes in policy. The group
has no jurisdiction outside the Pen
tagon Building.
Also unanswered was the future
status of several hundred Welfare
Association employees servicing the
eating places.