Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-02-17
Duncan Asks
Food Stamps
Needy
Would Abandon
Present Method
OF Distribution
BY SAM EASTMAN
Star Staff Writer

A move is under way to
abandon the Districts trouble
ridden surplus food program in
favor of a grocery store food
stamp plan for needy families.
A switch to the Federal
stamp program, which would
require Agriculture Department
approval, is being proposed by
the city'S top welfare official,
Commissioner John B. Dun
can.
The Districts surplus food
operations are under investiga-
ton by several Federal ard
city agencies
Probes by teams of investi-
gators and auditors include a
search for cheaters among the
food recipients. and the ques-
ton of illegal food sales. Also
under close scrutiny is the OPP
Grafton of the drivers who take
donations" for food deliveries,
and possible collision between
these 'hustlers" and surplus
food workers.
FavOrs Food Stamp Plan
In an interview yesterday,
Mr.. Duncan said he believes
the cure lies in switching to the
food stamp system.
Agriculture Department Off
Gals said that, because of
budget limitations, it appears
now as though no additional
jurisdictions can be brought
under the food stamp program
before July /.
Mr.. Duncan indicated he had
sound hopes that the District
could be included in the food
coupon program, which is OPP
Grating now on a test basis in
several dozen cities.
Agriculture Department Off
Gals noted that President Ken
nedy recently said he was
pleased with the results of the
experiment, and said he would
soon send to Congress legisla-
ton to strengthen the food dis
tribution plan.
Sees Defects Solved
Mr.. Duncan, the Commits
sioner with direct responsible
ity for welfare matters in the
city. said he has been confer
ring on the food question with
Agriculture officials and chain
grocery store executives.
From the information Il
now have, I believe the stamp
system would cure all defects
in our food distribution pro-
gram" Mr.. Duncan said.
In addition. the Commission
er said, the Federal coupon
system could be operated more
economically and would give
the food recipients a more nu-
tritious diet than the city's
current surplus food program.
The stamp plan, q New Deal
program revived by the Ken
nedy administration, is aimed
at feeding low-income families
and cutting down on Govern
ment food SURPRISES. It works
this way:
The local welfare officials
are responsible for certifying
the eligibility of the families.
These standards are in line
with the eligibility require
ments for receiving the surplus
food packages.
TN the District, low4income
families and all welfare recipi-
ents who have cooking facilities
are eligible for surplus food
Each family is permitted to
buy a specified amount of food
stamps. The amount depends
upon several factors. including
size of the family. These cou-
pons then can be spent" at
grocery stores for foodstuffs
worth more than the stamps
cost the family. The difference
between the two amounts is the
Government subsidy.
The stamps cannot be cashed
in for imported foods and other
items such as alcoholic bev-
erages and cigarettes. The cou-
pons are limited 10 foods grown
In the United States.
The grocer deposits the
stamps as II they were money
See STAMPS, Page A-3I