Evening star., 1900-06-14
THE CARE OF THE BLIND
AID ASSOCIATION REPRESENTA-
TIvES GIVEN A HEARING.
Request That Unexpended Balance Be
Rendered EHective-Claims of
Polytechnic Institute.

Mrs. Alice U. Hunt. president of the board
of trustees Of the Aid Association for the
Blind and a number of her associates to-
day were granted a hearing by the District
Commissioners upon their request that the
unexpended balance of $1,000 allotted the
association from the fund for the relief OF
the poor be continued after the 1st instant
and not be returned to the treasury. This
balance amounts to 1885, and Mr.. Herbert
W. Lewis, the District superintendent OF
charities, Informed the Commissioners that
the association has done and is doing much
good He. therefore, recommended that the
request of the organization be granted. and
that out of the appropriation of $1,000 for
the relief of the poor during the coming
fiscal year the association be allotted sucn
an amount as may be possible.
The association, stated Mr.. Lewis, has
established home for the blind at 915 E
street, which has now six inmates. Mrs.
Hunt explained that the home Is intended
for the benefit of the INDECENT blind OF the
District The purpose of the association IS
not merely to provide a home for these al
ficted persons, but also to enable them to
learn trades so that they may become self
supporting in time. There is now, she said.
an industrial department In the nome: un-
der the management of Mr.. F. d. Cleve-
land, who desires to show what the bllnd
are capable of in such matters. and IN that
way promote the establishment OF indus
trial schools lOr tnem
Schools and Industries.
There are thirty-eight schools for the
blind in this country, it was stated. but
only four industrial establishments The
local association, said Mrs Hunt, does not
restrict the admission of the blind TO any
age, but is for the old as well as for the
young. AS soon as possible. she stated an
industrial department will be established by
the association.
Mr.. H. R. w Miles. treasurer of the Co.
lumbia Polytechnic Institute. another or
ganiaZtion established here for aiding the
blind. stated that the nine trustees of this
association include three blind persons. and
that it is the intention of his association to
ask for a part at leas: of the sum of 5000
which will be available July l for the in
struction and employment of the blind who
are actual residents of the District. This
sum is to be expended under the direction
of the Commissioners. and is intended for
the purchase and repair of machinery and
tools needed to equip a workshop for the
blind.
Wants Part of Appropriation.
Mrs. John Russell Young, one Of the trus-
tees of the Aid Association, said this or
ganization will also ask for part of this
appropriation She also said it is the inten-
ton, and has been from the first of the as
socation to provide for the industrial In
struction of the blind But a home has to
be provided for some OF the bind, Sne
added, the case with seeing people. can
not be instructed. and yet they must be
cared for. The Aid Association. she stated,
Is for the benefit of the District blind. and
therefore. in her opinion, is justly entitled
to receive the support provided by con-
gressional appropriations.
Mrs V. r. Hoxie explained that she is In
teresed in both organizations. and ex
pressed the hope that both would be well
cared for. Mrs. Charles NJ. Pepper spoke
in behalf Of the Aid Association, and,
speaking for the Commissioners. Mr.. Mac
farland assured the ladies that the board
will carefully consider the application of
the Aid Association, but said the disposal
of the appropriation of 5000 for the indus
trial instruction of the District blind will
be left for future consideration.