Milford chronicle., 1912-12-06
BLIND COMMISSIONS
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
Shows That Good Results Are Being
Accomplished By the Workers
Despite Hsndicaps.

SHOWS very good results accomplished by
the commission despite the numerous
hlndicaps. The rep0It followed:
During the past six months, unfortunate
ly the demand for work of their products
has been far below the capacity of our
Workmen to supply and employment has
been far less than half time. But the in
creasing sales give promise of more bust
ness in the future A piece work system
has been put into effect and stimulates
the speed OF the workers and gives a more
equitable wage scale, as the difference in
the ability of blind workers is great.
In no department is the slack work so
apparent as the loom room, one reason
for this is our increased facilities in this
department by two new looms and one
large twelve.fOOt loom. Another reason
is the increased speed of our two weavers
who are able to work in day. Either of
them with work ahead can earn more than
a S1.25 day at the current piece work
price. The product of this department
is artistic and good The output OF the
l-rge loom is whole floor rug which has
found most favorable reception with the
best trade. The output of this department
since the beginning of the fiscal year has
been $50 small rugs and 440 yards Of carpet
The broom department, equipped with
one set of the most modern hand broom
making machines, occupies three men one
winder, one sewer and a sorter 1t should
have a capacity of 100 dozen brooms per
month. The output for the past six
months has been 200 dozen.
Our basket shop was started in the
summer though for year We have worked
TO this end. A young man who had some
apprenticeship in the business, was en-
plOyed during the summer vacation to
give our men some instruction, and under
his directions the shop made considerable
progress. Several of our workers are in
terested in the trade, and one or two are
making a portion of their living at the
business We are making substantial grade
Of willow and reed baskets and doing re-
pair work. The output of this department
curing the past six month has been fifty
reed baskets and twenty FIVE willow
baskets.
The chair Gaming department has also
been rather slack, hut we have divided
She work among six Gamers, each Of whom
h as been able to earn part of his living.
The output OF this department has been
I W. chairs. One young blind woman has
zen taught rush seating and is now tax
"A a course of lessons with an expert in
tn hlladepha to perfect her knowledge OF
ade. This old fashioned chair seating
yes great promise, and as there are no
M sh workers in the city it is hoped sbe
ay tiId it a lucrative employment.
svera Dnud peddlers are finding business
our streets. One, we regret to- say, we
re not prOud of and one is 8 mendicant,
= tough this case is badly crippled with
his blindness. A colOred man lie CARRYING
our rugs and broOms in Wilmington and
we are now starting one at Odessa to cover
the lower portion Of the country.
Competition Of the blind with the hand
leap we are able to o fer them against the
seeing labor on a business basis we expect
to meet. But there are at least two Wagon
on our streets soliciting the same work
for soup houses, which is most disastrous
in the absence of similar method of eX
plotting our work. It does not seem quite |
fair that under the fair name OF charity
the labor or respectable and sober steady |
men whose field of activity is limited by
bindings to chair Gaming and weaving and |
such simple occupation should be in com |
position with discounted labor of the
sighted delinquent who is capable to work |
off the results of bis miseries with the
pick and shovel or the ak
The home teacher or field agent, who |
has been employed to make monthly /
visits to the blindthrough the state teach
ing them their handicTafts and exploiting
their products has been compelled to re-
tire, owing to a loss of the glimmer OF
sirht that enables him to prosecute his
business. This position is now vacant,
but will be resumed as coon as likely
candidate can be found. We have not
neglected those requiring attention and
have exeTted every effort to help those
living in remote part. It is, however
most desirable to get the blind to head
quarters for proper instruction, as a
monthly visit of the best teacher can
. hardly be expected to give most adap
nhsz pupil a trade in sufficient time to
rep PIP the interest of the pupil. The
nome ttacheT, however, in the field is
great aid to the work and can often suggest
io de blind means OF amelioratlng their
eondifion and give their friends and fam
IN valuable hints for thier improvement
Especially is this the case with be very
Young children. 1t is hoped that our
work will not long be deprived OF this
valuable agent.
The culinary department has been in
operation for year on cooperative self;
supporting basis; and has been the means
of providing a comfortable home for four
OF five of the blind workers who have no
homes in the city. These resident workers
pay rent to the commission out OF their
wages for their rooms and from $8 to $l2
per month is collected from this source TO
oifsett the rent of the Exchange The
living department is conducted on q club
plan and has been most agreeable happy
family. no rules have been necessary and
~ have been clear Of all HnbecOming con-
duet. Beside the resident blind the Ex
change forms a rendezvous for other blind
men of the city and they enjoy the society
of the friends, listen to the Telmusci and
the piano or q game Of cards as diversion.
AZ the Delaware State Fair the com.
nilsson made an exhibit, operating loom
Gaming and basketry by blind worker and
showing the products OF the shop, all of
which enioyes most favorable comment
One Of the city merchants, Messrs Muhin
& Son are now showing the products Of the