Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-29
BLIND IN FESTIVAL
Celebrate Christmas in New
Library Quarters.
PRESENTS GIVEN TO ALL
Musical Program Rendered-Print.
ing Machine Now Installed for
Use of Sightless Citizens.

Christmas was celebrated by about
fifty of Washington's blind citizens
last evening a t the new quarters of the
National Library for the Blind. at
1729-1731 III street northwest Includ-
ed in the celebration was the distribu-
tion Of Christmas souvenir stockings,
packages of bulbs, which were pre-
pared by the Department of Agricul-
ture; the reading Of several Christmas
cards which decorated the rooms, must
cal numbers by the blind and the serv-
ing Of refreshments. Also there was
small Christmas tree which revolv ed
in it's stand playing music as it turned.
Christmas cards written in the language
for the blind were given to each guest.
These cards We're printed on a machine
which the library has recently received
from Paris, and which is especially de-
signed for the use of the blind. 1t con-
sists OF small type case and a small
rolling machine similar to those used for
the making of matrices in newspaper Of
fees. When the type is set piece Of
paper is placed upon it, the roller presses
it and a sheet comes out with raised let
tiers. which are read by touch.
Plans are being made by which blind
persons may go to the library and make
DOOhS LOT q CTdNeHTlR TOT the
blind all over this country and possibly
In foreign countries.
Festival Is Enjoyed.
Last nights festival was greatly en-
joyed by all who attended. Those who
contributed musical numbers were Miss
c. L. Cady. Miss Susie Duffy, J. Francis
Germuiller. who was one of a trio that
played a composition of which he is the
author. Joy in Birdland'; Miss Alice
Murray. Miss Delphine Desio and John
Garland, who initiated on the piano a
music box and banjo.
DR.. B. F. Galloway of the Department
OF Agriculture Will lecture at the library
next Saturday evening on American
grown Tea Samples of the tea will be
brought by DIR. Galloway and the guests
viii have an opportunity to sample II. A
series of lectures is being planned. These
will include a lecture on rare fruits sam
Piles of which will also be distributed,
and another on good-luck symbols
Books and Games Supplied.
The National Library for the Blind has
been in it's present quarters less than a
month, but already many aids for the
blind are being arranged. At present the
library has about fifty volumes for the
blind. numerous games, including cards.
checkers and dominoes, all of which are
based on a touch system. Light lunch
cons are always ready when any blind
guest cares to eat something.
Also a ticket bureau has been estab-
lished, which is designed to furnish
theater tickets and car tickets for the
use of the blind. A request has been
made for all persons having theater
tickets which they find themselves un-
able to use to turn them in to this bu-
reau, which will distribute them to some
blind person. The car ticket bureau Is
to provide car fare for the blind and for
the person who must bring them to and
take them home from the bureau.
Story of Ticket Bureau.
An interesting story was told at the
library last night regarding the new ticket
bureau.
A colored porter who came to the
library with a package loitered about for
some minutes. Those in attendance at
the library believed he was waiting for a
Tip and informed him that as the or
ganization was wholly one of charity no
tip could be given him. He explained that
he did not wish a tip, but that he desired
to contribute some car tickets to the
ticket fund. And he did.
Automobiles which are not being used
by their owners are requested for the use
of the blind for bringing the blind to the
library and carrying them home. Ofncers
of the organization last night expressed
their belief that several auto owners
would tender the use of their machines
from time to time for this purpose.
Mrs. William Hitz was chairman of the
committee in charge at last nights festi-
val Miss Eta Josselyn Giffin, director
of the library, presided. The. celebration
w