Evening star., 1944-05-02
Permanent j. ).
School Lunch
Aid Is Sought
Senote to Debate
Farm Bill Extending
Program One Yeor
BY J. A. O'LEARY.

ny y. "A. OLEAhI.
A permanent system Of Federal
aid to the States for. school lunch
programs was urged before a Senate
Agriculture Subcommittee today
while the Senate itself prepared to
debate this afternoon an omnibus
farm bill which would continue the
present temporary school lunch
project Of the Department Of Agri-
culture for another year.
DR.. Sidney B. Hall of George
Washington University. formerly
State superintendent of schools in
Virginia, and DR.. Bess Goodykoontz,
assistant United States commits
sioner of education, testified in favor
of the Smith -Ellender bill, which
would establish under the ONCE of
Education permanent system of
Federal grants to help finance State
operated school lunch plans. This
bill calls for $4,000, 900 a year, with
the State and local subdivisions con-
tributing 80 per cent the first year
and matching the Federal money
dollar for dollar thereafter.
Russell Has Another Plan.
Senator Russell, Democrat, Of
Georgia. has another permanent
plan pending that would leave the
subject under the Department Of
Agriculture, with an appropriation
of $65 1000, 1000. the first year and
500 100000 a year thereafter, but
with no State-matching basis speci-
fed. In addition. his bill would give
the Once of Education 5000 ,000 a
year to assist the States in operat-
ing their lunch programs.
The District government is not
operating school lunch program
this year under the Agriculture De-
partment's temporary $50,000,0oo
program, but Is continuing to share
in that departments penny-milk
lplan. The District would be eligible
to participate in the permanent pro-
gram under either the Russell or the
Smith -Ellender bill.
Topic Leads Congress Mail.
Senator Aiken Republican of ver-
mont told the hearing that members
Iof Congress get more mail about
school lunches than amy other sub
ject. including the International sit
uation"
Nevertheless. Senator Russell
warned supporters of the pending
bills that there is violent oppose
ton in Congress to any school lunch
program for next year" He said
they should not be too greatly en-
couraged by the attitude OF "this
friendly committee"
Senator Russell questioned the
adequacy Of the $50, ,000. 600 limit in
ith- -Ellender n ~ OF
eesel1h0ny that only oIl8 1{4lid 81 the
school population and sz1nafn,arth Of
the Nations schools nGN lunch
programs. DR.. Goodykufitz expressed
the view that the same amount of
money administered under the
matching system of the Smith Ell
lender bill would cover more schools
and children by releasing State re.
sources and services not now util-
lied.
May Ask Larger Fund.
Senator Russell said he believes
the program should stay In the De-
partment of Agriculture, but If Con-
gress decides otherwise, he thinks
the s50,000,000 figure in the Smith
Ellender bill should be INCREASED. He
said he drafted the Russell bill with
out consultation with the Depart-
ment of Agriculture.
Before the subcommittee hearings
end on the question of permanent
future program, the Senate is likely
to decide whether to continue the
present temporary school lunch plan
another year.
The omnibus bill before the Sem
ate also involves authority for the
War Food Administration to con-
tinue to carry out the rural re-
habilitation program of the Farm
Security Administration.