Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-03
WORK OF EHE BLIND
REPORT OF THE POLYTECHNIC
INSTITUTE OF WASHINGTON.
Progress Of the Industry and State
ment of Its Needs - The
Treasurer'ssR Report.


technic Institute for the4 Blind. recently es-
tablished in this city,, has been prepared
by Mr. F. E. Geaveland, the secretary and
just made public. 1t recites the organiza-
tlon OF the institute and details the re-
suits Of the first years work. The insti-
1ute was incorporated May II, 1900, but
1t was not until May, 1901, that the APP
preparation of 5000 made by Congress be-
came available. Continuing, the report
says:
1T Is with great qualification that we
are able In this report to show that the
institution promises to fully realize the
hope and expectation of its friends in Sc
curing desired results, namely: First, that
the blind and the public shall be impressed,
mat the powers and possibilities of the
sightless are worth developing, and that
the obligations of the public. are not full
nlled by giving aims; second, that an OPP
portunity for the employment of the adult
Diino OF the District shall be afforded; and,
national capital shall be worthy of emula-
ton throughout the country
TO undertake the accomplishment of
this task with capital of only 5000 at
Its command may well have been consider
ed foolhardy venture by those less san
gulne or success, or rather by those whose
knowledge of what blind people are able
10 accomplish, is measured by the popu-
ness entails.
1T was not considered polite to ask for
larger sum, for, in the minds of our
critics, 5000 appeared to be enough to fool
an impossibility.
Purchase of Property.
I'VE are willing, however, to be judged
by the results shown in this report, feel
ing confident that we are now able to con-
vince the most skeptical of the practicable
lty of our undertaking. 1t was not until
May l, 1901, that the management was put
into possession of the premises 1903 H
street northwest, purchased for $15,O I'M
DER an agreement permitting of a nominal
payment for the first year, to be followed
by annual installments of $500 each, on the
principal, plus interest and insurance. AS
the sum of $4,000 represented little more
than one-half the cost of this property and
was the sum loaned on first mortgage,
the committee deemed the requirement of
this property an exceedingly fortunate one,
especially when the location and it's adapta
bility for the purposes of the institution are
considered.
May and June were largely given up to
making necessary alterations and installing
ment.
lit was decided to make the most of the
means at it's disposal. by establishing and
developing department which promised to
viz, the printing and publishing business.
The report includes a. summary of the
orders received by the printing department
and continues:
Number Employed.
The number of blind people employed
has steadily increased in ratio to the
amount of business done. Two of our blind
people have already opened a bank account
and more are to follow. but one of the
achievements of which we are indeed proud,
is the ability of one of our young men and
two of our blind ladies to fill so acceptably
the positions they have secured in the choir
of the Union Methodist Church of the city,
the young man as organist and the young
ladies as members of a quartet.
Encouraging as is the progress shown by
the following statement, much better re-
suits could have been secured had suffici
ent amount of capitalsbeen at our command
to install a modern type setting machine.
for we have been at great disadvantage
in competing with other concerns, and have
count. 1t would be no more difficult for a.
blind person to manipulate the keyboard of
such machine than to manipulate the key
board of a piano. and the public is aware
that the blind become skilled pianists.
Our imperative needs for the coming year
will be s1,G;0 to meet the installment of
principal and interest, due on the building
purchased by us, $3.50 to meet the obligation
for machinery and type recently purchased
and 5000 for working capital, repairs and
alterations made necessary by the growth
of the business. IT, in addition to the fore
going amount, we could have $1,000 for
type-setting machinery, we should be in
better position to compete with other print
ing establishments in the city.
Report of Treasurer.
The report of the treasurer, Rev. Richard
P. Williams, shows the receipts for eight
months of the first year, including the
5000 appropriated by Congress and cash
advanced by Mr.. Cleaveand, to have been
s69lO2O with Sc, S62 80 disbursed.
The Widely Renowned Steward, Mr..
Louis Mella, has engaged with the Northern
Steamship Company to look after the cuisine