FEEDING OF SCHOOL CHILDREN IN CONTINENTAL AND AMERICAN CITIES. STATEMENT OF INFORMATION COLLECTED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE FOREIGN OFFICE REGARDING METHODS ADOPTED IN GREAT CONTINENTAL AND AMERICAN CITIES FOR DEALING WITH UNDER-FED CHILDREN. Presented to Parliament by Command of His Majesty L O N D O N : PRINTED FOR HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY BY EYRE AND SPOTTISWOODE, OFFICE, PRINTERS TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY. And to be purchased, either directly or through any Bookseller, from W Y M A N AND SONS, L T D . , F E T T E R L A N E , E.C. ; and 32, ABINGDON STREET, WESTMINSTER, S.W.; or O L I V E R AND BOYD, EDINBURGH ; or E. P O N S O N B Y , 116, GRAFTON 1906. [Cd 2926.] Price41/2d STREET, DUBLIN. FEEDING OF SCHOOL CHILDREN IN CONTINENTAL AND AMERICAN CITIES. 1 PREFATORY NOTE. IN March 1905 the Foreign Office undertook, at the request of the Board of Education, to obtain information regarding the methods adopted in the great Continental and American cities for dealing with ill-fed children. The Schedule of Questions set out below was supplied to the Foreign Office by the Board of Education, and the information subsequently forwarded to the Board of Education by the Foreign Office has been tabulated by the Office of Special Inquiries of the Board of Education in the following Return for convenience of reference. The material thus tabulated in the Return was collected in different ways, as set out in Table A below. The cities in respect of which the information was obtained are enumerated in Table B. ROBERT L. MORANT. 11th April 1906. a (1)43050. Wt. 1210 ft i H* FEEDING OF SCHOOL CHILDREN IN CONTINENTAL AND AMERICAN CITIES, SCHEDULE OF QUESTIONS AS TO THE Methods adopted in great Continental and American Cities for dealing with Under-fed Children. 1. Is there any central organisation for providing meals? 2. Is this organisation connected directly or municipality or other public authority? indirectly with, the 3. Is financial assistance received from public funds : — (a) Imperial ? (b) Local? 4. If there is no financial assistance received, does the municipality or any other public aiithority assist by allowing the use of buildings, &c, free of cost? 5. On how many days in the week are children fed, and during what periods of the year ? 6. What meals are provided (i.e., breakfast, dinner)? 7. Are meals provided at school, or elsewhere? 8. Are meals given to all children attending elementary schools? 9/ If not, how are those to be fed chosen ? 10. Are any steps taken to recover the cost from parents who can afford to feed their children but do not? 11. Can parents buy tickets entitling their children to meals; if so, at what price? 12. Kindly state for the last three years, in so far as figures are available:— (a) The school population. (&) The number of meals given. (c) Contributions from public funds: (i) Imperial, (ii) Local. (d) Voluntary contributions. (e) Payments by parents. (/) Total cost. 13. Any further information or comments. FEEDING OF SC9O01. CHILDREN W CQNTOTNTAk AND AMERICAN CITIES. m TABLE A. SOURCES OF INFORMATION . from which the Office of Special Inquiries of the Board of Education compiled the following Return on THE FEEDING OF SCHOOL CHILDREN IN CONTINENTAL AND AMERICAN CITIES. Report or Statement made by under-mentioned Officer. Printed Documents attached to the foregoing Report or Statement. Vienna H. G. Chilton, Esq., H.M. Embassy, Vienna. Statuten des Centralvereins zur Bekostigung armef Schulkinder in Wien. 15ter und 16ter und I7ter Jahresbericht des Centralvereins zur Bekostigung armer Schulkinder in Wien. Trieste N . Salvari, Esq., H.M. Acting Consul, Trieste. Capt. A. W. Forbes, H.M. Consul, Prague. Reports for Trieste and Prague were transmitted by the Embassy, Vienna. Relazione sulPAttivita delle Istituzioni - Sociali nelPanno 1902* 1903, 1904. Liege A. C. Grant Duff, Esq., H.M. Legation, Brussels. No enclosures. Brussels A. C. Grant Duff, Esq. Antwerp A. C. Grant Duff*, Esq. Ghent A. C. Grant Duff, Esq. Lois et Reglements concernaiit le travail des Femmes et des Enfants. CEuvre de FHospitalite de Nuit et de Ja Bouchee de Pain a Anvers. 18ieme Exercice. 1903-1904. Ville de Gand. Bulletin Communal. Annee 1897. No. 14. Annee 1898. Ligue des Instituteurs de Gand et ses Environs. CEuvre du Repas Scolaire. Place. AUSTRIA-HUNGARY : Prague No enclosures. BELGIUM : DENMARK : Copenhagen 8. Leech, Esq., H.M. Legation, Copenhagen. Beretning om det Kjobenhavnske Borgerog Almueskolevaesens Tilstand for Aaret 1900. (School - Director's Report for 1900.) The British Paris. No enclosures. FRANCE : Paris - Embassy, GERMAN E M P I R E : Berlin C. Wingfield, Esq., H.M. Embassy, Berlin. No enclosures. Reports for Bavaria were drawn up by the respective M u n i c i p a l Bodies and transmitted by the Bavarian Ministry for Foreign Affairs to— R. T. Tower, Esq., H, M; Legation, Munich, by whom they were forwarded to the , Foreign Office. Ausschnitt aus dem Verwaltungs-Bericht fiir 1901. Ausschnitt aus dem Verwaltungs-Bericht fiir 1902. Recept fiir die Bereitung der Suppe in den Suppenanstalten in Munchen. Exemplare der Suppenbillette. BAVARIA : Munich a 3 jhr i*EWsr($ OF"sttao'bt, tik&mm IN coHxmEHTAt AKB AMERICAN CITIES Beport or Statement made . by under-mentiGnecL Officer. Place. printed Documents attached to the foregoing Report or Statement. BAVARIA—cont. Nuremberg h.: No enclosures. Augsburg - - No enclosures. - No enclosures. A- J . Herbert, Esq., H.M. Legation, Darmstadt (now Sir Arthur J . Herbert). A. J . Herbert, Esq. No enclosures. Wurzburg 1 H E S S E and BADEN : Darmstadt - Baden No enclosures. WuRTEMBERa : Stuttgart - The Reports for Wurtemberg were probably drawn up by the respective M u n i c i p a l Bodies and were transmitted by the Wurtemberg Ministry for Foreign Affairs to— R. T. Tower, Esq,, H.M. Legation at Munich, by whom they were forwarded to the Foreign Office. Bericht des Vereins fiir Kinderkuchen iiber die Jahre 1902, 1903, 1904, Statuten des Vereins zur Fiirsorga fiir hilfsbediirftige Kinder in Ulm. 29 Oktober 1897. Bericht iiber die Thatigkeit des Vereins zur Fiirsorge fiir hilfsbediirftige Kinder. April 1,1896, Marz 31,1899 und April 1, 1899, bis Marz 31, 1902. TJlm - \ No enclosures. E. y . Sturdy, Esq., H.M. Legation, Dresden. Berichte iiber die 23ter., 24 ter., und 25ter. Verwaltungsjahre des Vereins gegen Armennot und Bettelei zu Dresden, 1902, 1903, und 1904. 7ter. und 8ter. Jahresberichte des Vereins zur Speisung bediirftiger Schulkinder in Dresden, 1902-1903 und 19031904. Verwaltungsbericht des Rates der Konigl. Haupt und Residenzstadt Dresden, auf das J a h r 1902 und auf das J a h r 1903. Uberblick iiber das gesamte Unterrichtswesen. Verwaltungsberichte des Armen-und Waisenamtes der Stadt Dresden auf die Jahre 1901, 1902, und 1903. E. V. Sturdy, Esq. Heilbronn - Allgemeiner Bench* iiber die Stl^dtischen Volksschulen zu ^Leipzig die Schuljahre 1901-1902, 1902i-1903, und 1903-1904 betreffend. V. Wellesley* Esq., H.M. Embassy, Rome. Provvedimenti per la scuola e per i maestri elementari, 1904. Rilevamento Statistico-Amministrativo circa le condizjioni dell' Assistenza alTInfanzia ed agli Indigenti Inabili al Lavoro e della Beneficenza Elemosiniera, 1905. L'Instruzione Elementare nell'anno scolastico, 1897-1898. SAXONY : Dresden ;-.{---V. Leipzig ITALY : Rome * frftfiiMit& jO^.&fiaObt C H l l m M SU$ QO^MMMAI Place* Aft!) AMfcMCASf GSttfig* f Report or Statement made by under-mentioned Ofldcer. Pointed Documents attached to the foregoing Report or (Statement. . J . H. Towsey, Esq., ; H.M. Consul at M i a n . Transmitted by the BHtish Embassy at Rome. W. Keene, Esq., H.M. Consul-General, Genoa. Transmitted by the British Embassy at Rome. Relazione sulla Refezione Scolastica distribuita nelle Scuole comunali negli anni 1900-1901 e 1901-4902. ITALY—cont. Milan Genoa HOLLANi): Atti del Patronato Scolastico di Genova (Andrea Pod.esta)^ per Soccorse agli Alunni Poveri delle Scuole Elementari, 1901-1902 e 1902-^1903. Return to be filled in on applying for tickets for free meals. (In Italian.) Amsterdam G. A. Mounsey, Esq., H.M. Legation, The Hague. The Hague G. A. Mounsey, Esq. Utrecht G. A. Mounsey, Esq. No enclosures. Rotterdam G. A. Mounsey, Esq. Voeding eh Kleeding aan Schoolgaande Kinderen. Een overzicht van Buitenen-Binnenland. (Report of the Society for Promoting Common Welfare.) Madrid E. M. Hicks Beach, Esq., H.M. Embassy, Madrid. No enclosures. Barcelona E. M. Hicks Beach, Esq. No enclosures. A. C* Grant Duff, Esq., H.M. Legation, Stockholm. Stockholms Stads Folkskolor. Berattelse for ar 1901, 1902, 1903. (Annual School Reports for the years 190l, 1902, and 1903.) Christiania E. F . Grray^ Esq., H.M. Acting ConsulGeneral at Christiania. Norsk Lovtidende. Udgiven efter offentlig Foranstaltning ifolge Love af Iste April 1876. (Copy of Poor Law of May 19, 1900.) Loi du 6 juin 1896 sur le traitement des enfants nioralement abandonnes. Indberetning fra inspektoren for den kommunale bespisning af folkeskolens born for tidsrummet l9de oktober 1900 til 30te alpril 1901, oktober 1902 til april 1903, 21de juli 1903 til 30te juni 1904. (Reports on feeding of school children, 1900 to 1903-1904.) Bergen E. F . Gray* Esq. Beretning om Bergens Folkeskole for 1896 og 1897. (Reports from Bergen National Schools, 1896-1897.) Skolestyrets aarsberetnhiger for" 1898 og 1899. (Report for 1898-1899.) Lord Acton!, H.M!. Legation, Berne. No enclosures. Reglement op het verleenen van Subsidien voor het Verstrekken van Voeding of Kleeding aan Schojoigaande Kinderen. (Regulation as to jbhe granting of subsidies for feeding and clothing school children.) Statuten der Vereeijigung voor het Verstrekken van warm voedsel aan arme Schoolkinderen. (Statutes of the Society for Providing Warm Food for Poor School Children.) SPAIN : SWEDEN : Stockholm NORWAY : SWITZERLAND Zurich VI FEEDING 6¥ SCHOOL CHILDREN IN CONTINENTAL AND AMERICAN CITIES. Place. , . Bepqrt or Statement made | i>y under-mentioned Officer. Printed Documents attached to the foregoing Keport or Statement. tJNiTEp S T A T E S : Chicago A. Finn, Esq., H. M. Consul, Chicago. No enclosures. Philadelphia C. L. M. Pearson, H. M. Acting Consul, Philadelphia. No enclosures. New York Sir H. M. Durand, H.M. Embassy, Washington, who also transmitted the Reports on Chicago and Philadelphia, prepared by Mr. Finn and Mr. Pearson. 52nd Annual Report of the Children's Aid Society for 1903-4. 71st Annual Report of the American Female Guardian Society and Home for the Friendless, 1905. TABLE B. Page. I, SET 1 Page. SET 3 , 4, 6 Vienna \ 18, 20 Stuttgart 2,4,6 Trieste ^ Austria. 18, 20 Ulm 2,4,6 Prague J 18, 20 Heilbronn 2,4,6 Liege \ 19, 21 Amsterdam 3,5,7 Brussels 19, 21 The Hague 19, 21 Utrecht 19, 21, Rotterdam 19, 21 III. Luxemburg ^ /Germany. J ; Holland. ^ Belgium. 3,5,7 Antwerp 3,5,7 Ghent ,. 3, 5, 7 1 3,5,7 y Copenhagen Denmark. Paris France. SET IV. 24, 26, 28 N 10, 12, 14 Berlin 10, 12, 14 Munich 10, 12, 14 Nuremberg 10, 12, 14 Augsburg 11, 13, 15 Wiirzburg / 11,13, 15 Dresden 11, 13,15 Leipzig 11, 13, 15 Baden S Genoa J Christiania ] > Norway. j ^Italy. Darmstadt 11, 13, 15 Milan 24, 26, 28 IL ! 24, 26, 28 24, 26, 28 SET Rome \ 25. 27, 29 1 Bergen 'v 25, 27, 29 Stockholm 25, 27, 29 Madrid 1 25, 27, 29 Barcelona ) 25, 27, 29 Zurich ) Germany. Sweden. j > Spain. ) Switzerland. SET / V. 32, 33 New York ^ 32, 33 Philadelphia \ U.S.A. 32, 33 Chicago J SET I.-AUSTRIA AND HUNGARY. BELGIUM. DENMARK. PRANCE. a 43050 A 2 FEEDING OF SCHOOL CHILDREN IN CONTINENTAL CITIES. AUSTRIA AND HUNGARY. BELGIUM. Question. Vienna. Trieste. Prague. Liege. 1. Is there any central organisation for providing meals ? The Central Association There is a central orgafor the Feeding of nisation called the Poor School Children. * Society of the Friends of Children. Committee of ladies for providing meals for underfed children. There are two organisations for distributing soup to school children. A - committee was formed in 1901 to collect necessary funds for organising distribution of soup to pupils in communal primary schools. There is also a distribution of soup organised by municipality for children in kindergartens. This distribution has existed since 1833. 2. Is this organisation connected directly or indirectly with the municipality or other public authority? Indirectly connected with the municipality, its president being the Burgomaster of Vienna, and the majority of the members of the board consisting of town councillors. This society is not connected with the municipality or other public authority. Connected directly with the municipality. The committee placed a sum of 10,000 francs at the disposal of the municipality in order to extend to the firstyear pupils in the primary communal schools the distribution of soup which takes place in the Froebel schools (Kindergarten) of the city. 3. Is financial assistance received from public funds— (a) Imperial. (b) Local. Financial assistance is received from local funds. The Town Council grants an annual subvention to the A ssociation. The society receives an annual subsidy from the municipality but no State aid. Financial assistance is received only from the city of Prague and not from State funds The committee mentioned in reply to Questions 1 and 2 pay to the Treasury an annual sum of 7,000 to 8,000 francs. The municipal council voted, in 1905, 7,000 francs in order that soup may be distributed to children in primary schools for six instead of three months. 4. If there is no financial assistance received, does the municipality or any other public authority assist by allowing the use,of buildings, &c, free of cost? The municipality allows the use of some class rooms free of cost. School buildings, as far as may be necessary, are placed free of charge at the disposal of the society. Kooms in some of the buildings of the municipality are used free of cost. The children specified in Eeply 1 and 2 take their meals in the kindergartens. 5. On how days in the are children and during periods of the Children are fed on every week day from November 16th to March 31st. Meals are provided on every week day between December 1st and April 30th. Every day. The distribution of soup commenced on Jan. 7th, 1902, and continued until the end of March. It recommenced in December 1902 and lasted until the end of March 1903, when it was made applicable to a larger number of pupils. It is now proposed to extend the period to six months. (See Eeply 3.) Soup is served every day in the kindergartens to those who desire it. many week fed, what year ? FEEDING OF SCHOOL CHILDREN IN CONTINENTAL BELGIUM. CITIES. DENMARK. FRANCE. Paris. Brussels. Antwerp. Ghent. Copenhagen. There are two organisations : (1) A private association called "(Euvre de la Soupe Scolaire des Ecoles Communales." (2) The "Association for distributing Soup to Free Schools." The institution in question only patronises schools designated " Catholic." (1) The municipality provides meals for kindergarten children at 5 centimes a da>f. (2) The "Bureau de Bienfaisance" pays for indigent children. (3) The Committee of " L'hospitalite' de Nuit et de la Bouchee de Pain " supply meals to all applicants. The municipality for many years supplied soup to pupils n elementary schools, but now supplies only a few out-lying schools, as it has become unnecessary owing to the small number of pupils taking their meals during school hours. There is a central organisation, viz., The Society for providing Meals to Free-School Children. There is no central organisation. Each of the 20 " arrondissements " has its own organisation directed by the " Caisse des Ecoles," and the central administration only has a right of control. Note.—The " Caisses des Ecoles " are institutions destined to encourage and facilitate attendance at school, by giving rewards to industrious, and assistance to poor, pupils. The " Caisse des Ecoles" is administered by a committee composed of members of the "Commission scolaire" and of a certain number of members elected by the general assembly of the " societaires." The president of this committee is the mayor. There is ,at Paris one "Caisse des Ecoles " in each arrondissement. The president of the society is at all times the municipal schooldirector in charge. The members of the board are the seven municipal school inspectors and four private gentlemen giving voluntary assistance. The organisation must therefore be said to be directly connected with the municipality. The annual municipal A communal subsidy of 1,000 francs is paid to grant to the " (Euvre the "Bouchee de de la Soupe Scolaire Pain" (see reply to des Ecoles ComQuestion 1) and 8,000 munales" amounts to francs to the " Cercle 10,000 francs. Diesterweg." No (There are no pripecuniary assistance is mary schools depenreceived from the dent on imperial funds.) Belgian Government. The "Caisse des Ecoles" is connected with the municipality, inasmuch as it is presided over by the mayor. 3,000 francs are granted by the municipality. Financial assistance is only received from local funds. The Copenhagen municipality has during the last three years given a yearly grant of 25,000 kr. No assistance is received from the State. The " Caisses des Ecoles " receive an annual subvention from the municipal council of Paris. The central administration confines itself to controlling the employment of the subventions. No special arrangements appear to exist. No. No. The meals are served in the free-school buildings. The " cantines scolaires " are installed in the schools which belong to the city of Paris. Special accommodation is assigned gratuitously for this purpose to the " Caisses des E coles.'' The city of Paris also undertakes to buy and keep in order the necessary cooking stoves and tables, but the " Caisses des Ecoles" have to meet the expenses of lighting and heating, and to supply the canteens with the necessary utensils. Five days in the week. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays for children in kindergartens during the year. As regards pupils in primary schools, only during the winter. At the few schools where soup is supplied distribution appears to take place on all school Each child is1 fed three times a week during the months January, February, and March. The canteens are in operation in the schools every day of the week, and during the whole year, except during the vacation and on holidays. During the long vacation (August and September) the canteens are open as long as the " Special Classes " last, i.e., one month. A 2 4 FEEDING OF SCHOOL CHILDREN IN CONTINENTAL CITIES. AUSTRIA AND HUNGARY. BELGIUM. Question. Vienna. Trieste. Prague. Liege. 6. What meals are provided (i.e., breakfast, dinner) ? Only dinner is provided, consisting of a dish of vegetables and a roll, or of a milk dish and a roll. Dinner only is provided, a plate of soup and 125 grammes of bread. Dinner, and sometimes afternoon coffee. The children in kindergartens and the children entitled to receive soup in primary schools receive, at about midday, a bow 1 containing half a litre of soup, and more if they desire it. The soup is different on each day. 7. Are meals provided at school, or elsewhere ? Meals are provided partly in the people's kitchens or workmen's restaurants before and after the ordinary dinner hour, and partly at school. The meals are distributed at nine stations, four of which are placed in school buildings. At school or in buildings that belong to the municipality. In the kindergarten. 8. Are meals given to all children attending elementary schools ? Only those indigent children who inform their teachers that they get no warm dinner at home receive tickets for meals. Meals are not given to all children attending elementary school, but only to those recommended by the head teachers of the schools. Only poor children a. To all children in kindergartens. b. To children in the first year's course in the primary schools. e. To children in the second and third year's course in the primary schools whose parents cannot come home at noon and who are in indigent circumstances. 9. If not, how are those to be fed chosen ? The teachers, who in some measure know the circumstances of the parents, select the children. Almost all children really requiring help receive tickets. See above. They are chosen by the schoolmaster or the above-named committee. See reply to Question 8. lO. Are any steps taken to recover the cost from parents who can afford to feed their children but do not? No steps are taken to recover the cost from parents who can afford to feed their children but do not. No steps are taken to recover the cost from parents who can afford to feed their children but do not. No. Children are fed free of cost. No. 11. Can parents buy tickets entitling their children to meals; if so, at what price? Parents can buy tickets entitling their children to meals, but this is rarely done. The price of a dinner is about one penny. Parents cannot buy tickets entitling their children to meals. Tickets are not sold. Poor children are fed free of cost. No. 12. Kindly for the last years, in so figures are able :— (a) The population. state three far as availschool (continued.) About 120,000 per annum 1901-1902 1902-1903 1903-1901 Children. - 15,018 - 15,499 - 16,611 School year :1902-1903 1903-1904 1904-1905 23.164 22,198 23,295 December 31st, 1903 :— In primary communal schools, 11,459. In kindergartens, 3,819. FEEDING OF SCHOOL CHILDREN IN CONTINENTAL CITIES. BELGIUM. DENMAEK. FEANCE. Brussels. Antwerp. Ghent. Copenhagen. Paris. Soup and bread at midday. Mid-day meal: soup and bread. (No particulars.) The daily meal provided is the dinner. The children only have one meal at school, the dejeuner at noon. The question of supplying an evening meal is under consideration. In some arrondissements soup is distributed in the morning on the opening of the school, and a gouter (small feed) at 4 o'clock, when the school closes. At the school. In the kindergarten. At the school. The meals are provided \ The meals are furnished at the schools. at the school itself, as stated above. (No particulars.) Meals are generally pro- All children are envided for all children titled to feed at the in the free schools who canteen, but the meals wish it. (About 33 per i are only supplied gratis cent, of the total to the children of poor number of free-school families; the others pay a small sum which children.) does not exceed 15 centimes per meal. (No particulars.) Vide Answer 8. It may be mentioned that in the more wealthy quarters of the city the demand for the meals is not so great as in the poorer quarters. The committee of the " Caisses des E coles " selects those who are to be fed gratis, after enquiry, and on the advice of the director of the school. All meals, whether paid for or gratis, are supplied on presentation of tickets, which are furnished, on payment, to families who are in a position to pay, and gratuitously to destitute children. a. Meals are only» sup- All the children who plied to indigent desire it receive a children. meal for 10 centimes. b. Inquiries are made (See, however, reply to into the circumstances Question 13.) of the children's families. See reply to Question 8. No. Payment is made in advance by the persons concerned or by the "Bureau de Bienfaisance " or by the society designated " Le Cercle Diesterweg." No. The food is given entirely free of charge and no questions are raised as to the parents' economic position. No. See reply to No. 10. No. No tickets are sold to parents entitling the children to meals. 1901-1902 1902-1903 1903-1904 - - 10,901 - 16,523 - 13,904 1902 - (average) 24,879 1903 - (average) 25,302 1904 - (average) 25,835 The cantinieres furnish meals on presentation of the above-mentioned tickets. They are absolutely forbidden to receive any payment in money. The distribution and sale of the tickets is generally entrusted to a service organised at the Mairie, under the supervision of the mayor, of the committee of the " Caisses des E coles," and if necessary, of a representative of the " delegation cantonale." The central administration expressly recommends that the distribution of tickets should be so conducted as to preclude the possibility of knowing which of the pupils receive them gratuitously. The price of a ticket is generally 10 or 15 centimes, and it entitles the bearer to one portion (meat and vegetables). Schools :— Primary. Infant. Free-school population :— 1903 - 7,845 - 4,097 1902 - 25,215 1902 1904 - 7,845 - 3,989 1903 - 24,484 1903 1905 - 7,715 - 4,130 1904 - 30,127 1904 A 3 - - 169,329 - 177,182 - 181,415 6 F E E D I N G OF SCHOOL CHILDREN IN CONTINENTAL CITIES. AUSTEIA AND HUNGAKY. BELGIUM. Question. Vienna. Trieste. Prague. Liege. 12. Kindly state for the . last three years, in so far as figures are availafiLe—oont. (b) The number of meals given. 1,022,780 annum. meals per (c) Contributions from public funds :--• (i) Imperial - 3,350£. yearly from local funds. (ii) Local (d) Voluntary contributions. (e) Payments parents. 13. Any further information or comments. Contributions only from the municipality, for 1905 an allowance of ' kronen 22,111 =» 92H. 5.9. lOd. No imperial contribution. 7,000 francs voted by municipal council. Voluntary contributions for 1903-4 and subscriptions from members— Kr. 2,430 - 10U. 5s. 7,000 to 8,000 contributed by committee. (See Reply 1.) Municipality (public funds) contributes 500Z. yearly to the Society of the Friends of Children. About 1,300Z. per annum are received from voluntary contributions, including the interest of bonds owned by the Association, and 4,000 crowns per annum from the Emperor. by (f) Total cost. 1902 :— School year: — Amount of soup dis94,419 rations of soup. 1903-1904, 1,813 meals tributed, 49,258 litres 94,419 rations of bread, (December 1903 to end 1903 :— of February). 98,345 rations of soup. Number of meals pro98,345 rations of bread, vided :— 1904 :— December - 25,977 104,927 rations of soup. January - 28,900 104,927 rations of bread, February - 27.880 Amount consumed per child and per day (average) :— Dec. - Litres 0 • 634 Jan. - Litres 0 • 570 Feb. - Litres 0 • 585 Average cost for three months per child, per day, 0-0861 francs. None. Total cost about 4,600^ ' None. 1902 - about 758Z. „ 780Z. 1903 1904 „ 815?. Figures for the last three years not available. Total cost of soups distributed December 1903, and January and February 1904 : Frcs 7,193.68. The business of the Association for the Feeding of Poor School Children is to see that __ these children are pro~ perly provided with meals. Once a year, in autumn, they make an appeal for funds which always meets with a generous response. The Emperor gives 4,000 crowns a year, the Town Council votes a subvention of 80,000 crowns, and all classes contribute according to their means. The Association has entered into an agreement with the managers of the People's Kitchens, under which the latter undertake to provide dinners from November 16th to March 31st at the rate of a penny each for as many children as the Association chooses to send to the Kitchens. If there happens to be a People's Kitchen near the school the children dine there ; if not, the Association hires a dining-room or uses one of the class-rooms. The food required is sent from the nearest kitchen, hot and ready for eating, in sealed metal cans, and is served out to the children by members of the Association. In the course of the morning the teachers distribute paper tickets for meals among those of the children who are poor and ask for them. It is not as a rule difficult for the teachers to find out where help is most urgently needed. F E E D I N G OF SCHOOL CHILDREN IN CONTINENTAL CITIES. BELGIUM. Brussels. Antwerp. Rations of soup and Number of 1902 bread supplied:— 1903 1901-1902 - 218,178 1904 1902-1903 - 266,745 1903-1904 :— Soup; 318,699 ; Bread, 307,609, rations of 60 grammes. 121,918 128,771 135,881 (i) No imperial contri- A communal subsidy bution. of 1,000 francs is paid (ii) Annual subsidies to the " Bouche'e de paid by municipality to Pain" and 8,000 " L'oeuvre de la soupe francs to the " Cercle scolaire des ^coles Diesterweg." No communales," 10,000 pecuniary assistance francs, and to " L'oeuvre,| is received from the etc!, des e*coles libres,,r Belgian Government. 5,000 francs. No details. No details. No details, Expenses included in cost of kindergartens. Ghent. No other supplied. information 3,000 francs are granted by the municipality. FRANCE. Copenhagen. Paris. Of above number about Number of meals :— one-third, the poorest, 1902 10,447,257 are fed. (Number in1903 - 10,587,029 creased in 1904 owing 1904 - 10,660,923 to incorporation of some districts in the city.) information No other supplied. information (y "both Societies. da^ me&\ "^oNidM. "by \ asfeng oi&cvxp o i ^ a x m the above-named school^ milk and a roll, a glass of milk and a roll of bread are given on every working day during the winter months to those children who are considered by the medical officer to be especially fragile and delicate. Funds in this case provided by private charity. s % State aid, in so far as seven out of the eleven districts of the Grand Duchy separate the sum spent on poor children from the general poor fund, and have created special commissions to provide for such children. 12 FEEDING OF SCHOOL CHILDREN IN CONTINENTAL CITIES. PRUSSIA. BAVARIA. Question. Berlin. Munich. Nuremberg. Augsburg. 7- Are meals provided at the school or elsewhere ? Meals are supplied in the elementary schools. The soup provided may either be taken home, or consumed in a room at the school-house set apart for that purpose. The meals are provided at school, as stated under 4. The soup provided out of the poor rates is consumed on the premises or may be taken home. The soup provided at school is consumed on the premises. 8. Are meals given to all children attending elementary schools ? The "Stadtische Schuldeputation " feeds (and clothes) necessitous children attending elementary schools in Berlin under certain conditions. The Berlin Society " for feeding poor children and those in want " assists the " Stadt'- Schuldeputation" to supply four meals to all such children as the head masters consider to require them. Only the children of in- Only the children who do not get a hot meal at digent parents are prohome are thus fed. vided with these meals. 9. If not, how are those fed to he chosen ? See answer to question 8 (a) The circumstances of the parents asking for free meals on behalf of their children are investigated by the almoner of the district; his report is submitted to the Board of Guardians, who decide on the merits of individual cases. Soup-tickets are then provided, available during the school term or for a lesser period. (V) Overseers of each district have a number of soup-tickets for distribution. The selection of the children to be fed is made by the District Overseers of the Poor and the teachers jointly. The soup is only given to such children at the two elementary schools whose parents or guardians ask for it, and whose circumstances are deemed by the authorities to be deserving. 10. Are any steps taken to recover the cost from parents who can afford to feed their children but do not? No steps are taken to recover any part of the cost of these meals from- those parents who, though ' in a position properly tofeed their children, have neglected to do The parishes to which such children belong are required to refund expenses, but indigent parents are not called upon to do so. Expenses are not recovered from indigent parents. If the parents are indigent, the expenses are paid out of the poor rates, but there are no regulations as to recovering the costs from parents. I I . Can parents buy tickets entitling their children to meals; if so, at what price ? Parents cannot buy tickets of the authorities entitling their children to meals, although private societies do exist which supply such tickets and meals. Tickets are purchasable by the 'public, at the price of: — (a) 10 p f e n n i g s (about Id.) for a plate of soup with bread. (J?) 8 pfennigs for a plate of soup without bread. Parents cannot tickets. Tickets are not yet purchasable, but if deemed necessary and advisable they will be on (a) and (b) No figures available as to number of children fed or meals supplied. The total school population (elementary schools) cannot be accurately estimated. School population : 12. Kindly state for the last three years, in so far as figures are available— (a) The school population. 1902 1903 1904 buy - 41,797 - 43,310 - 45,283 No Population not given 13 FEEDING OF SCHOOL CHILDREN IN CONTINENTAL CITIES. SAXONY. BAVARIA. Wurzburg. The meals are not provided at school, but in rooms set apart for the purpose. Dresden. H E S S E AND B A D E N . Leipzig. Darmstadt. Baden. The " Association for the The meals given by the Relief of Poverty and municipal school for feeble-minded children Prevention of Begare provided in the ging" provides meals school. at restaurants near the !] schools. The Association for Feeding Poor School Children is allowed the use of the public school-rooms at meal times. No Only the children in absolute want a.re fed. The milk and rolls are given to fragile and delicate children. Sm reply to 6. When selecting the children, their personal and domestic circumstances are taken into consideration. Hitherto all indigent children have been given such free meals. The number of children partaking of these charities is only a fraction of those attending the schools. The selection is made by the heads of the various schools, but the names are in every case referred to the Poor Law authorities, so that no mistakes may arise. The children receiving milk and rolls are selected by the medical officer. No No steps are taken to recover the cost of the meals from the parents. No Parents cannot purchase tickets for their children. Population not given 1902 - 44,959 1903 - 61,009 1904 - 63,829 The warm breakfasts are given to children who are ill and weak or in want. If those responsible, for the care of ill-fed children neglect them, although it is in their power to provide for them, then certain laws come into force by which such persons can be compelled to provide for the children, or, in default, be punished. In the above-mentioned municipal school, 76 but of 254 children receiving meals during the winter months 1903-4, paid l\d. for each meal. The milk and rolls provided at the other schools are given free. School population given. £ 3 not Population not given. n fEkut&G OF SCHQO& CHILDEEN IN OOHTIJffeNTAL OITIESi JBXJSSIA, BAVARIA. Question. Berlin, 12. Kindly state for the last three years, in so far as figures are available—^^. (b) The number of meals given. (c) Contributions from public funds :— (i) Imperial. (ii) Local. (d) Voluntary Contributions. (e) Payments by Parents. (f) Total cost. 13. Any further information or comments. Munich. See (a) 1902, 194,299 meals out of 318,955 were given to children. 1903, 370,038. adults and children. 1904, 429,160, adults and children. (i) No part of the cost is borne by the State. Nuremberg, Augsburg; 1902, 51 breakfasts, In 1904, 9,114 meals were 239 dinners';- 1903, provided for in the two school - houses men60 breakfasts, 296 tioned under (4). dinners; 1904^ 96 breakfasts^ 372 dinners. About one-half of the meals provided were eaten by children. None None None (ii) From an endowment fund administered by the Stadtische Schuldeputation, and bringing in interest amounting to 952 marks a year {ill. 12s. Otf.) ; 2,856 marks (146?. 16s. Oi,). In 1902, 374?.; 1903, No contributions were received for 1902,1903, 444?.; and in 1904, and 1904. 45 4 Z. were drawn from poor rates to make up deficits in the soup kitchens. Of the 9,114 meals, 6,808 were paid out of the poor rates, and 504 by parishes not belonging to Augsburg. 1,050?. chargeable on poor rates in 1904. , From voluntary contributions collected by the " Society for Feeding Poor Children and and those in Want," 40,314 marks (2,015?. Us. Qd.). King's Privy Purse, 50 None for 1902, 1903, and 1904. meals per diem at 18 pfennigs — about 73?. per annum. Other contributions, 1902, 251?.; 1903, 268?.; 1904, 208?. Of the 9,114 meals, 1,802 were paid for by parents and charitable persons. About 150?. in 1904. No payments by parents Cost during the last three years, 43,170 marks. Nil Payments are not exacted from parents. 1902 1903 1904 - 1,973?. 2 246?. 2,648?. None received See answer to (Y?) - Maintenance of public soup kitchen came to 1,200?. in 1904. 1902 1903 1904 152?. 183?. 247?. A number of public soup kitchens are also maintained, which give, without discrimination, free meals, consisting of soup and bread. These are supported by charitable bequests to the amount of 80?. a year, and are administered by the so-called Nuremberg " Organisation for Warm Meals and Charity." During the winter, 1904-5, about 2,000 children per diem were accommodated at these meals. IS PEEMttO Off SCHOOL CHtlMEtf IN CoNfrtfM*At (iffi&ii. SAXONY. BAVABIA. Wtir^burg, In 1902, 201 children; 1903, 238 children: and in 1904, 300 children were fed at the six soup •kitchens, whilst in 1902, 162 children; 1903, 164 children ; 1904, 167 children were fed in the day nurseries. In 1902, 63,071 ; „ 1903, 65,417 ; and ,,,1904,72,522 meals were given to children at the nine branches — six soup kitchens and three day nurseries. None In 1902 1903 1904 70?. 75?. 90?. Dresden; H E S S E AND BADEN. Leipzig. Darmstadt* Baden. Meals provided by— 9,765 double portions (a) " Association for Feedserved to 21,440 children ing Poor School Chilin 197 davs at abovedren " : 1902, 50,662 ; mentioned school. 1903, 55,951 ; 1904, 22,267 children re56,239. ceived 23,570 bottles (£) " Association for the (about half-pint) of Belief of Poverty and milk in 159 days, 1903Prevention of Beg1904. ging" : 1902, 52,186; 1903, 58,231; 1904, 69,638. None None O ) 1902,11?.; 1903,11?.; 1904,11?. Some State aid is given, but how much is not specified. See reply to question 13. 104?. 3s. Od. contributed by municipality towards cost of meals in above-named school None towards rations of milk and rolls in other schools. (Z>) 1902, 300?.; 1903, 300?.; 1904, 300?. In 1902 - 161?. 13s. Od. (a) 1902, 364?. 2s. Od. ; 1903 - 174?. 10s. Od. 1903, 346?. 7s. 0d.; 1904 - 195?. 7s. Od. 1904, 339s. 8s. Od. Figures not given Particulars not given. (&) 1902, 1,516?. ; 1903, 1,551?. 7s. Od. ; 1904, 1,582?. 7s. Od. In 1902 - 134?. 17s. Od. 1903 - 133?. 5s. Od. 1904 - 142?. 17s. Od. In 1902, 366?. 10s. 0d.; in 1903, 385?. 4s. Od, ; in 1904, 428?. 4s. Od. None (a) 1902, 506?. ; 1903, 559?.; 1904, 562?. 7s. Od. (V) 1902, 258?. 10s. Od.; 1903, 289?. ; 1904, 348?. 5s. Od. 32s. lis. Od. towards cost of meals in municipal school above mentioned.1 Cost of meals in municipal school, winter months 1903-1904, 136?. 14s. Od. Other particulars not given. Extracts from annual report of the Societv for Feeding Poor School Children, 1902-03 :— " Each child receives an ample and nourishing ration of vegetables, with meat and bread, at a price of 20 pf. The benefit of a continuous and regular warm, nourishing, midday meal during the whole winter on school children who would otherwise never, or at the most only now and then, get a warm dinner, is, from our experience of several years, of such great importance in the physical and mental development of the children that we see no reason to consider the opportunities we offer as unsuitable or too extensive. In each of the carefully selected restaurants— always the same during the whole winter—the children are fed in rooms specially set apart for them, and with separate entrances, the honorary lady superintendents seeing to their wants and keeping order. The children are strictly forbidden to stay in any other rooms not intended for their use. This arrangement has also been retained as being desirable. B4 Particulars not given. Particulars not given. Extract from letter of H.M. Charge d'Affaires at Darmstadt, in answer to inquiries made by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Board of Education, relative to the methods adopted in Hesse and Baden for dealing with underfed children :— -T^^ " I regret that it would seem very difficult to arrive at any idea of the cost of the support which is given to such children, as it would seem to be a mixture of grants from the State funds supplemented to a very great extent by private charity and donations or bequests to special institutions. " Owing, however, to the pressure which, by the police, can legally be brought to bear on parents who do not support their children when able to do so, and also to the fact that there exist practically no unemployed, and considering also the thrifty habits of the people, and consequent absence of poverty in the districts referred to, I should be inclined to think that the call on the funds of the State with this object was a very inconsiderable one." 17 SET III. -GERMANY (WU1TEMBURG). HOLLAND. LUXEMBURG. ft 4305 « 0 18 FEEDING OF SCHOOL CHILDREN IN CONTINENTAL CITIES. GERMANY ( W U R T E M B U R G ) . Question; Stuttgart. (220,000 inhabitants.) Ulm. (45,000 inhabitants.) Heilbronn. (About 75,000 inhabitants.) 1. I s there any central organisation for providing meals? No central organisation for providing meals, but five classes of benevolent associations undertake to feed poor children. 1. The association of Children's Soup Kitchens. 2. Creches and Homes. 3. The Home for Boys. 4. The Home for Girls. 5. The Stuttgart Association for Children's Holidays with its home. There is no central organisation for providing meals, but the association for the care of needy children feeds children who live far from school, or whose parents are absent from home during the day time. There is no central organisation for providing meals, but such meals are given to the children at the various homes for boys and girls. The Home for Girls was founded and is managed by the Women's Association. 2. Is this organisation connected directly or indirectly with the municipality or other public authority ? The associations are only indirectly connected with the municipality. The association is indirectly connected with the municipality. The associations are not connected directly or indirectly with the municipality or other public authority. 3. Is financial assistance received from public funds— (a) Imperial? (b) Local? No State grants. Grants are made by the municipality and out of civil list to above associations. No State grants. The municipality assist the association out of the poor rates and the hospital endowment. No State grants- The interest of an endowment of 150Z. is devoted to the above named homes. 4. If there is no financial assistance received, does the municipality or any other public authority assist by allowing the use of buildings, &c, free of cost ? The associations mentioned under 1 pay a small rent for some of the premises used- 1 in schoolhouses and in other places — whilst others are granted free of cost by the municipality. A dining hall with all the necessary appointments was built out of the poor rates, and the Town Council allows the use of it free of cost. No 5- On how many days in the week are children fed, and during what periods of the year? In Nos. 1 and 2 the children are fed daily the whole year round, while in 3 and 4 they receive food once or twice a week from private families. In No. 5 the children are only fed during the summer holidays, lasting 25 days. Meals are provided on weekdays from about the middle of November to tbe end of March. The meals are provided in the Girls' Home on an average of 230 days per annum. 6. What meals are provided (i.e., breakfast, dinner) ? In Nos. 2 and 5 all meals are provided. In Nos. 1, 3, and 4 dinner only, and in Nos. 3 and 4 supper (Vesperbrot) in cases where the children are not fed elsewhere. Dinner is provided In the Boys' Homes, supper (Vesperbrot) is provided and in the Girls' Homes the children receive in addition -} litre of milk twice a week. 7. Are meals provided 'at school, or elsewhere? In Nos. 1 and 2 meals are provided on the premises of the associations ; in Nos. 3 and 4 food is provided by private families (vide 5). The meals are provided in the diuing-hall (vide 4). No 8. Are meals given to all children attending elementary schools? No The meals are provided to chil- The meals are given to all poor children. dren attending elementary schools, to poor children and to those belonging to large families, to children of widows and to those whose mothers work away from home and who cannot provide a hot meal, and finally to those who live far away from school. DEEDING- OF SCHOOL CHILDREN IN CONTINENTAL CITIES. HOLLAND. 10 GBAKD Dtrain? OB1 Amsterdam, The Hague. Utrecht, Rotterdam* LuxEMBtma, tfood is distributed to needy school children by the Society tot the Feeding of Children. There is a society which distributes warm food to poor school children. The municipality undertakes the feeding of school children4 the support granted by municipal and church boards of charity, food (and clothing) are distributed to needy school children by certain private societies. Charitable associations are the only official organs of public contributions to this object. They exist in all the communes. This society is subsidised by the municipality and therefore indirectly connected therewith. In no way connected with the municipality or other public body. In the hands of municipality. the Private societies are not subsidised by or connected with the State or municipality. The associations do not appear to be connected with the municipality or other public authority. No State grant. The subsidy received by the society from the municipality may not exceed the amount spent by it on the distribution of food to poor children. Financial assistance is not given either from State or local funds. No State grant. Expenses paid out of municipal funds. No State grants in either case. Private societies receive no aid from municipal funds. It does not appear that financial assistance is given either by the State or by the locality. The society is allowed by the municipality the free use of rooms in /school buildings where the food is distributed. The municipality allows the free use of the gymnasiums in certain public lower schools on weekdays from 12 to 2 for the distribution of food to the children. Municipality provides the necessary places for meals in two municipal buildings and in one building rented from private persons. Places for distributing food (and clothes) are granted by the municipality to three private societies. Meals are apparently given in the schools. It is not stated whether any charge is made. The food distributed consists of :•— (a) Dinner, from Nov. 1 to April 30. (b) Breakfast, from M a y l to October 31. As much food as possible is distributed daily. The children are fed every weekday from December to March. Food is distributed on live days in the week during January, February, and March, and would have been distributed in the other months also, but so far this has not seemed necessary. See answer to 5 A dinner is distributed A dinner is distributed The dinner is distributed in the gymnasiums of a number of schools situated in various parts of the town. The breakfast is given in the school itself by the teachers. The food is distributed in the gymnasium of one school to the children of from three to five surroundingschools. Food is distributed only to children of the pub* Clic lower schools of the 1st class (schools , for poor and indigent children) and of special lower schools which rank with these. The food is given only to needy children. The Communes of Luxemburg and Wiltz last winter successfully initiated distribution of breakfasts. Will henceforth continue during bad months of the year. On every schoolday at noon a warm meal. "rr. At one special school, Places for distributing food are granted by where nearly all the the municipality only children are fed, food to the three societies is * distributed in the above mentioned {see school buildings; otherreply to 4). wise the children go to the one of the three buildings referred to above which is nearest their school. No. C2 Breakfast: coffee or soup, with bread. See reply to 4. Given to children who come to the schools without ^having had any food. m Ffiibi#& m SCHOOL ciiiLteffiM i» o&Nfi&iNM* cifiEs, WtJ^fiMBUEG. Question. Stuttgart, Ulm. 9. If not, ^ow are those fed to be choi-fen? Hei].bronn. The teachers ; prepare lists of children to be fed, which list's are revised by the local guardians of the poor. No, Parents cannot be called upon Parents are not called upon to 10. Are any steps to pay for meals already pay for the meals provided. taken to recover the cost provided, since tickets are from parents who can only obtained on ready afford to feed their money payment. children, but do not? No 11. Can parents buy- The public and parents can buy The children receive six tickets tickets entitling jtheir children each a week. For these tickets entitling their to meals (No. 1) at the price tickets tfye eldest child of a children to meals; if so, of 10 pfennigs (about Id.) family has to pay 20 pfennigs at what price ? 12. Kindly state, for the last three years, in so far as figures are available,— (a) The school population. (b) The number meals given. for a whole and 5 pfennigs for half a ration, Population not given of No. 1 1902 1903 1904: (c) Contributions from public funds— (i) Imperial (ii) Local (d) Voluntary contributions. (e) Payments parents- Whole Half rations, rations. - 3<6,26J9 r 1,144 - 40,538 - 1,486 - 43,749 - 1,723 Meals were 1902-3 1903-4 1904-5 given in :— to 237 children „ 260 „ 227 1902^3—17,777 meals on 98 1903^4—18,028 meals on 91 1904-5—17,452 meals on 99 None (ii) No Imperial contribu- Association pays to the hospital tions, but from the Givil in kitchen of which meals List, the Municipality, and a are cooked six pfennigs per charitable bequest •:— ration. Balance is repaid to £ hospital out of poor rates. 1902 . 43 1903 60 1904 66 to first-mentioneql association. £ £ 77 1902 21 1902-3 1903-4 77 1903 47 1904-5 81 1904 83 to first-mentione