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GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE WASHINGTON

October 30, 1951

Admiral Alvin Duke Chandler, President, The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia.

Dear Admiral Chandler:

On page 10 of the last issue of the Flat Hat there is an editorial captioned, "Long Lines, Choice Loca- tion, Background Noise Are Nice; But Cafeteria Food By Any Other Name Tastes The Same". There have been many similar articles and editorials over a long period of time. The student officers last year campaigned on a platform of trying to do something about the cafeteria situation. A delegation of students visited the authorities in Richmond and lodged complaints personally. A student mass meeting was addressed by Mr. Duke in the defense of the proprietors of the cafeteria.

Many individual students say that the food is usually unpalatable and is frequently inedible because of mold, bad odor, the presence of foreign matter, and similar conditions. As the parent of two William and Mary students, I have become increasingly disturbed about this situation. I now regard it as inexcusable and outrageous. If the col- lege feels compelled to permit the cafeteria to operate as a concession and if it feels obliged to turn over to the concessionaires captive patrons through the device re- quiring the purchase of meal tickets, then the college cannot honorably wash its hands of responsibility for the poor quality of the food and the unsanitary condition of the premises.

As the new president of The College of William and Mary, you will, undoubtedly, be confronted by many