The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-15
TEE NEEDS OF TEE Blind
District Commissioners Hear COM
mittee's Plea for Funds.
An Unexpected Balance in the Allot-
mcnt to the Aid Associations
application for the Approprin-
ton for the Next Fiscal Ycnr.

A hearing was granted yesterday to the
officers and representatives OF the Aid
Association for tine Blind. who appeared
before the Commissioners, to ask that
the uneXpended portion of the amount
allotted by the District for the care of
the INDECENT blind shall. at the close Of
the present fiscal year, be re-allotted to
aid in caring for persons already in the
institution for the summer months.
Herbert w. Lewis, the District Super
intendent Of Charities. spoke for the as
ISOLATION and explained to the Commits
sioners that the institution owing to delay
in the completion of buildings and the
provision of other facilities for the caro-
Of blind persons, had not been able to
earn the entire amount of the allotment,
and that there would remain at the close
OF the present fiscal year 1886 of the
amount, which the Commissioners would
be at liberty to re-aIlot to charitable in
situations in the District. Mr. Lewis
further stated that a maximum rate OF
So cents day was allowed the institution
for the care of each blind person, and
that on that basis it will have earned
1904 on June 30. Mr.. Lewis recommended
that the amount be re-allotted to the Aid
Association for the Blind to assist it in
caring for the INDECENT blind of the Dis
trict.
With reference to entering into a new
contract with this institution FOR the
coming fiscal year. Mr.. Lewis thought
favOrably of that as, in his opinion, the
association was in shape to do work bet
ter perhaps than any other institution of
the kind in the District He thought that
the present arrangement with the institu-
ton should be readjusted and the maxi
mum rate of 50 cents day for all persons
be changed to suit the helplessness and
need of care of each inmate. He recon-
mended the forming of some such contract
with the association when the new ap-
preparation should be apportioned among
the institutions Of the District.
Mrs. Alice U. Hunt. President of the
Association. stated to the Commissioners
that it had been the purpose of the board
of directors in organizing the institution
to form Il non-sectarian school for the
blind, where this class Of people in the
District should be given chance to learn
something of the trades which are open
to the blind, and Where the poor sightless
people of the District might be taken in
and cared for. Owing 20 the necessities
put upon them in beginning in small
way, and TO the unexpected call upon them
by the blind poor. they had not been able
as yet to carry out to the full their first
intentions. Mrs. Hunt explained that the
money appropriated by the District had
been expended in caring for the poor blind
of the District. aud that the Industrial
feature had to be left in, allegiance for the
time being. Mrs. Hunt thought, however,
that they should be able soon to begin to
realize their hopes in 3he establishment
OF shops where the. blind of the District
could earn a livelihood
Mrs. Hunt stated that OF the thirty-eight |
schools for the blind In the United States |
there were none which offered instruction |
and help after the, age, Of eighteen was |
passed. 1t had been their intention. she |
said. to meet this lack SO far as the Dis
trict was concerned and she hoped that |
the Commissioners might see their way |
clear to grant the request of the associa- |
ton SO far as the re-allotment was con-
cerned. She also thought that the asso-
citation would ask for part of the appro-
priation for next year. but that the board
had not yet acted upon the matter.
H. r. w. Miles. treasurer OF the Column
bia Polytechnic Institute for the Blind, vas
present and said that three of the nins
trustees of the school were blind. He also
stated that it was the intention of h s
association to ask for the whole of the
1000 appropriated by Congress for the in
iigent blind Of the District for the coming
iscal year. He stated that his association
vas instrumental in the introduction of the
Dill in the first place. and that it belonged
o them by right.
Mrs. John Russell Young, one Of the
aides present, said that the Aid Associa-
ion for the Blind would lay claim to part
If the appropriation, and hoped to get it
She declared that It had been the intention
If the association from the start to estab-
ish shops in which the blind could work
Their first duty had been to care for those
Who could not be taught, of which class
here are some among the seeing as we'll
S the sightless. She emphasized the fact
hat the Aid Association was organized for .
he benefit Of the District blind and for I
hat reason had first claim upon the appro-
Ration.
Mrs. V. r. Hoxie informed the Commits
toner's that she was member of both I
and she hoped that both would
ave part of the appropriation.
Others present were Mrs. George NJ. Pep J
er. Mrs. II. T. Guss. Mrs. S. r. Jacobs,
Irs. Charlotte E. Maine. Mrs. J. E. Gill