New-York tribune., 1907-07-07
A CAREFUL CENSUS.

Among the other activities established by the
association In the Holt home has been census
bureau. Through the efforts of the sisters I
legislative commission was appointed 10 find ont
the number and condition of the blind IN the
of New York. Thoughtful typhlophiles did not
wholly trust the regular census taker. As Eben ?.
MorfoTd. the blind superintendent of the Brooklyn
Industrial Home for the Blind and a member OF
this legislative commission says, census takers
have a careless way of putting down 4 One-leGged
man blind u blind man as deaf or tmbecile-
Therefore the state was induced 10 appropriate
5000: Miss Edith Holt. who volunteered her
vices. was placed in charge. and correct and ex-
haustive facts regarding the six thousand blind
persons in the State OF New York gathered
and put into such shape that they can be OF the
utmost practical
Life cannot be precisely cheerful thing for ths
blind. despite the cheerfuness with which SO many
of them take up the burden. Walter Holmes. pub
Usher OF the Mrs Ziegler Magazine for the
Blind. tells story OF a blind friend or his whom
old aunt trying to console for his affctlOn-
Any way. Johnny" she said. by being blind YOU
escape seeing lot OF the sin in this world Yes.
aunt he said. meel1ly. but I'd like 20 train at
least one eye on II and then They miss
periences. and they miss so much OF the beauty
The blind never see the sunrise. the flowers,
the trees against the evening sky. n blind man,
however much he loves his child. never it
smile. They miss much that II IS only justice
to make IT up to them In other ways as II IS only
good economics TO give every one Of them the
chance TO do some work in the world and awaken
courage in those who have lost IT. That IS what
the Association for the Blind IS trying 70 do II
Is trying do something esc-it IS trying 10 prs
vent uniiecessary blindness At least ten per cent
OF the blind made so by lack OF proper care
OF the eyes at birth The association hopes 10 Sc
law obliging physicians and nurses 10 re-
port Instantly all OF infantile ophthania ana
In the meantime II IS distributing leaflets tor ths
instruction OF nurses and midwtves. II hopes too
compel better safeguards in glass factories ana
other establishments where the eyes or the WORK
men endangered
The president OF the association IS Richard Wet-
son Glider, and Miss Helen Keller is one or us
vice-presidents. She is actively interested IN the
work FOR which she made eloquent appeal IN
person last winter at the Waldorf Dr. Lyman
Abbott the president OF the association. said.
The new movement demands that the community
do for the blind what It does for the seeing-teach
them TO read and write, and equip them for seit-
support by training them In those industries IN
which experience has proved they can become pro-
hcient do not ask charity FOR the blind. ohiS
ask that Justice be done for them
Blind applicants. men and women. so TO the as
sociation daily asking for the blessing OF work
II can be given them II ftInds permit When inc
public realizes that the New York Association iof
the Blind stands alone IN this state for the work
preventive and constructive. which IL Is dofnG anu
that Il is essential and practical from humanita-
rian as we'll as from economic point OF VieW IL
II is matter of great encouragement that ths
results OF last years work OF this organization ep
pealed so strongly 20 generous friends OF the as
ISOLATION that they urged n permanent worAiils
capital and have themselves already offered SS5sU
II the remainder OF the 10000 can be securea
without delay. The association will gladly seno
information In regard the 20 which thIs
working capital will be put Contributions arc
now urgently needed. and all gifts will be sra1.s
fully acknowledged by the treasurer, Herbert
Barnes, No. IS Wall street