New-York tribune., 1907-07-07
MORE ROOM NEEDED.

''ses what is crowded into this room" said
Miss Holt. indicating an upper apartment OF ordi-
nary size. Three or four persons, including ona
blind man who had come there TO ask for employ
ment were busy getting out letters and folding
circulars. blind pupil was having typewriter
lesson. In corner was a cupboard filed with
the work OF blind men and women. which was
there on sale-slippers beautifully knitted bead
work aprons busters. articles carved out or wood.
Another cupboard filled with clothing. which Is
given 20 those OF the blind who need it AT tho
end Of the telephone switchboard. and
a blind girl operator was initiating old blind man
into the mysteries OF the thing. and demonstrating
because he would call the cams the cans" you
see" Miss Holt said. why we want money. We
50 much need. along with few other things, moro
room"
Thet teleuhous switchboard has been the means
OF putting moro than one blind girl In the way ot
at least q partially seit-supporting career When
the idea of blind people operating the board was
first broached TO the telephone companies IL was
received with polite increduty. but the idea is
turning out TO be a perfectly feasible Now
and then becomes expert Not long ago. II
Virginia city. va. blind girl. Susie Davis. won
out against number OF seeing competitors IN a
spirited contest 20 determine the fastest OPERATOR
Here In New York blind girl operates the key
board IN one OF the hospitals II Is marvellous to
her hands dart unerringly 70 the right placs
when a cell comes. though with her eyes she
not tell day from night There Is a blind girl
operator In OF the downtown business houses
and her employer declares he prefers blind girl
70 seeing one "She attends to her work better"
he said She hasn't many outside distractions
Her work means moro to her. because she has
little else. She requires bit Of help with names
and numbers she hasn't heard before. but every
number she Immediately writes down IN
point with her stenographic machine and memoir
Ices Il. think switchboard could be invented"
he added with little bells OF different tones 70
indicate the place in the building the call comes
from. That would simplify telephone work for ths
blind. but blind person can operate a small board
OF the present kind perfectly we'll If employers
would only believe 1t No. I'm not philanthropIst.
To employ the blind at work they can do Is plain
economics They've got TO live. haven't they?"
The association IS the pioneer. far as New
York IS concerned. in teaching the work OF tho
OF IS DylDflS
now holding responsible positions and fourth han
been asked for.
Tho number OF blind who IN one way or another
have distinguished themselves Is great that the
brtefest survey OF the field gives rise to a deep
wonder at the prevalent feeling that blind person
Is not TN it, for practical purposes Vidal. the
blind French sculptor. entered a lions cage and
studied the anatomy Of the animal from touch that
ne might model It. DR.. James Gale. th9 physician
known all over England tho blind inventor"
who died recently full OF years. in spite OF his
blindness won royal hOnors by his discoveries and
Inventions and among the cures he wrought was
one so remarkable that it brought from the patient
a millionaire the biggest fee record. II Is said.
Columbia University has blind professor who
holds life Fellowship there. and two blind stu
dents. one OF whom incidentally, has to support
himself. az he has no FUNDS. One OF the graduates
last spring or Bates College. IN Maine was totally
blind man. Francis \. Rockford and he was graCIt-
ated with honors. He popular with the other
students. and took immense interest n ath-
letics- The other day died in Maryland, 8
woodcutter, seventy years old. who blind nom
his youth. yet who penetrated dense w1ds slona.i
feI!lns trees, making picks Tor the miners. cut
ting six hundred shingles a day.
Although the blind has lost one sense. hs
has others which. IL developed. Will carry him
through life very well. Just above Lincoln Square
IN New York is @ stand kept by Billy the news
boy totally blind man. This man lives IN Long
Island City and goes 10 business every day by
himself.
There any number OF things 10 guide Us
which you. having eyes. don't have 10 notice. he
said 10 the reporter. Have you observed thas
pavsments are always depressed bit for about
three inches back from the curb? When I'm walk
ing that's what tells my feet where the crossings
Then in the schools for the blind our ears
are trained 10 serve almost eyes, YOU know,
and was in q good school from my sixth year lil
grew up
There is a blind in New York who makes Il
good living buying and selling produce He be
seen often coming down the Hudson to the city,
the deck OF the steamer half covered with vege-
tables he has selected by the touch. There
Is another man who deals in fine horses. He IS
blind. but he sees every point OF the animal with
his wonderfully sensitive hands These are the men
who started out with education. with courage and
initiative. But there many blind people Who
lack one or tho other all Of these qualities. and
for such the Association for the Blind IS sOreIy
r,aa EaI