Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-12-17
Supt. Ritter Will Appeal to
Senate Committee. :.
TAKES PUPILS WITH HIM
Head OF State School for Negro Deaf
and Blind Children viii Show sena-
tors In Richmond What Work Is Be-
ing Accomplished.

boy ana Dnuu Bul Nho hdNN VVSH
taught to read and write within four
months. Superintendent William c.
Ritter, Of the virginia State school
for colored deaf. dumb and blind
children, located in Elizabeth City
county near this city, left yesterday
evening for Richmond where he viii!
appear before the finance committee
OF the state senate. now in session.
and ask for an appropriation Of about
500. 600 for the school during the com
ing fiscal year. The deaf and dumb
boy and blind girl will be exhibited
before the committee as living evil
dences Of the good work that the
school wear. which is only in its first
session. is doing.
Before leaving for Richmond. sup
erintendent Ritter made public his
first annual report of the work in
ihe school to Governor Swanson.
Although brief, the report is an ex-
oeedingly interesting one and sets
forth conciseiy what the needs of the
school are and shows that the present
buildings are wholly inadequate fer
the purposes for which the legislature
intended it. Among other things,
Ritter points out that
he can accommodate only about ~
pupils AT present. while more than
zoe are seeking admission.
The superintendent also points out
the urgent need for additional land,
new buildings, heating plant and
aud electrical ldant as we'll as for ne"
furniture, bed clothing and other
articles at this time.
Many Things Needed.
Discussing these things in his re
pert. Mr.. Ritter says:
Stares Debt in Face.
I'VE have great many needs, in-
deed. hampered as we are ~ the ex-
ceedinsiy small support appropriation
the smallest appropriation TO schoi
Of tn KIND Gu record in the Onitsd
States-we are at times almost as
tracted to know what is best 70 DE-.
We are Constantly fighting debt-and
vet debt stares us flankiy in the lace
whichever way we turn. ExFeris need
from other states.
who have visited Us, as well rs teach
srs and. other people. have been ex-
ceedinglv' complimentary in their re-
marks about the appearance and ar-
rangement OF orr building. Their
opinicn r that tc run tie present
building to its full capacity. We must
have an appropriation Of not less than
500. 600 annually. But We need so
many. very many things. that We shall
be satisfied If the board OF visitors
can secure an annua. APPROPRIATION OF
Sis .000. I telisve such an aPpropria-
ticn will take care Of from a5 20 10"
children. At this date. I have in my
Office the names and addresses OF
more than 200 Of these afflicted chill
drsn In the state. of school age. We
virtually made no effort TO secure
pupils this, year-mersly answering
some of the Inquiries cent to us.
Use Of Stoves Dangerous
This winter We are using stoves in
such rooms in our building as We can
do so. need not mention the TACT
that Il l. exceedingly dangerous 90
have any number Of stoves where
large number Of children are gainer-
ed. especially blind and ignorant deaf
children. The use Ct stoves is cais-
ing US much uneasiness az ell hours
Plars fer heating out building have
been made. and the engineer esii-
mates thst Il VIII reouire s4.5oe for
the DO Ter. pipes. radiators. etc To
this MIST be added the cost Of plain
brick building. which should be al
leas: lares enough to take care q. an
ether boiler when another building D
erected This steam boiler-house
hould have an annex to ]; for laun-
dry and shops. We estimate the cost
Of this building al 5000. bcile- for
pow.-. $1,000. steam engine. S55p.
laundry machinery. $500. Pi1ing am
erection Of fixtures. 500.
Oar building Is wired fer ci-cfrsc
lights. bct We have been Gna.ie -
make an agreement Attn the eiectrc
iish; compsEy 20 run its feed ~-res
and f.snish current Their price for
running the wirCs 20 our building IS
more than half ;le cost Of what
lighting plan; o. cur ovn would cost
] have b,en told y competent elec-
srical engineers that between G@e ana
six tundTd dciia-s viii put the INA
chiuery in for Fighting cur various
build Ezs.
This winter W 40 using oil ismns
f,- s-hta IL IL frre-r aa~r,- A., r1rl.