The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-01
The BLIDDAT THEIR Home
SightIess Men and Women Work
ing to Maintain Themselves.
lsrfuI Occupations Taught Them ut
the Institution Recently Estnb-
Iishcd for Their WrIfarc-Pinn>
for the AmeIiorntion of Their Com
ditfon-Mrs. Hunts Annual Report.

for the blind established throughout this
country. but, unfortunately, while they
teach the pupils trades and occupations
they do not provide for their future con
duct in the world when they have left the
precincts OF the school to fight the battle
of life The pupils are discharged At the
age OF eighteen. and no applicant over
that age can obtain admission to the
school.
The fact will doubtless occur to every
one that the world can afford no more pa
thctic or helpless spectacle than that CT
blind person without some guiding hand
to direct into the proper channels the in
dustral ability which the preparatory
school may have instilled. One who is
blind without friend or relative, no mat
ter how gifted, is still absolutely dePen-
dent until the helping hand is stretched
forth. and career OF honorable employ
ment offered to those who would otherwise
be reduced TO a condition of pauperism.
1t is to offer this helping hand to the
adult blind that the Aid Association for
the Blind in this city was formed. The
home of the association at 915 E Street,
the gift of Mr. Stilson Hutchins, affords 4
spectacle TO the visitor of a noble institu-
ton in its incipiency The building, admit
tably adapted for its purpose is capable
OF accommodating thirty inmates, while az
present the number consists of but six.
The Industries taught and practiced in
the home are chiefly broom and mattress
making and chair Gaming. The work accom-
plished is sold in the store on the f Street
front Of Che building and in all cases the
visitor or prospective purchaser inspecting
the specimens of handiwork exhibited for
sale in the store finds il difficult to believe
that they are the result of blind labor.
visit to the workroom. which is located
upon the second floor OF the building is one
of much interest Here one sees the blind
laborers in one room putting the straw
through the preliminary course of prepa-
ration previous to its being sent to another
room for conversion into brooms. The blind
men show the greatest interest in their
work and get along together in the most
perfect harmony. The process of prepar-
ing the straw for the labor of the broom
maker is an intricate one and Involves sew
eral mechanical processes requiring the
most delicate handling The deftness with
which these are prosecuted by the sight
less workmen is admirable and their salts
faction after accomplishing a good piece of
work enjoyable to contemplate.
After the straw is prepared it is sent to
another room which contains all the need
ful mechanical appliances for making the
finished broom. This part of the labor is
work that is done with great despatch and
neatness. These blind workmen have in
some Instances. only recently been visited
with their sad affection. One man, about
forty years Of age. said to the reporter that
he had been blind only four years and
previous to that time had never seen or
heard how a broom was made Yet the
specimens OF handicraft he produced were
models OF skill and he seemed perfectly
resigned and eontented in his occupation
One very old man at the home is ex-
empt from labor and is perfectly cheerful
and happy under the excellent treatment
accorded him. He is especially proud of
the decorations and furniture in his room
and always asks his visitors what they
think OF the appearance OF his apartment
A Non-Sectarian Institution.
The institution is wholly non-sectarian.
It is practically self-supporting. with the
exception Of an appropriation of s., 600 re-
ceived from the District for the support
OF the blind. Thus the profits derived from
the sale of the work turned out by the
blind really supports the institution and
at the same time helps to pay of the
mortgage which is now levied upon the
premises.
\ blind person who is able to work is
expected to do so. If he has not been
taught a trade at a school he is initiated
into the mysteries of broom or mattress
making. and he thus becomes a supporting
factor of the institution. If. however. a
friendless blind man, incapacitated by age
or otherwise for labor, apply for admis-
sion. he is at once admitted, providing. of
course. he is a resident of the District of
Columbia. as the institution being cup
ported to a certain extent by the District
funds cannot ADMIT residents of other
places In fact. most States have pro-
vided literally for the support of their
blind. Connecticut has appropriated $751;
000 for this purpose. and the District of
Columbia is said to be almost unique in
its comparatively small provision for this
purpose
There are two stories above that devoted
10 the worlroom. On the first Of these is
located the dormitories of the female and
mates. which are beautifully furnished and
very neat and cheerful in appearance.
Each of these rooms is taken by some
charitable institution or private individual
by whom the apartment is papered car
peted and furnished and the comfort of
those occupying them is well ensured The
top floor is devoted to the sleeping rooms
81 he men. These apartments are gener-
ally fragrant with tobacco as the weed,
contrary 10 some opinions. furnishes a
most grateful solace to the sightless.
The corresponding secretary of the asso-
citation, Mrs. Alice W. Hunt, 10 whose eff
forts the institution is largely indebted
for its present existence, is most energet.
&c in searching for cases throughout this
city which may be relieved. and 1t is to
her endeavors that the two female inmates
OF the home were taken from the aims
house and placed in their present comfort
able quarters
Mr. f. E Cleaveland. Superintendent of
the Connecticut Industrial Home for the
Blind has rented the workship Of the as
sociation for the sum of $40 month and
Uses the profits therefrom in furthering
plans for the betterment of the blind of the
District. The Institution derives a fur
ther rental from stable in the rear of the
building and this source OF revenue COM
bined with the District appropriation and
the rent derived from the workshop is just
about sufficient to pay the mortgage upon
the building occupied by the association.
Mr.. Cleveland says Mrs. Hunt, has
unfortunately created false impression
81 the public mind in a statement which he
lately made TO the effect that the District
has agreed with the association to provide
for the blind persons sent to the home
aud that assistance is only solicited by us
FOR the purpose OF paying of our mort
gage.
The amount which the District can pay
FOR the support of the blind is for the cur
rent fiscal year 81 600 At best this will
provide for only three or four persons at
the rates agreed upon. while the capacity
OF The hame which the Aid Association now
possesses, thanks to the benehcenee of Mr..