Evening journal., 1912-10-12
WORK OF THE
STATE BLIND
elaware Commission Reports
Much Accomplished
Greater Market for Product

The semi-annual report of the Del
& sare Commission for the Blind, Just
n ade public, is an interesting re-
3 ew of the work accomplished. The
y port follows.
n During the past six months, unfor-
e nately the demand for their prod
" FITS has been far below the capa-
|ty of our worbmen to supply, and
'nployment has been far less than
n 'llf time. But the increasing sales
q We promise Of more business in the
n ture. A piece work system has been
y bat into effect and stimulates the
peed of the workers and gives a
ore equitable wage scale, as the
lfference in the ability of blind
lorkers is great
I'm no department is the slack
n fork so apparent as the loom room.
n inc reason for this is our increased
a Rcilities in this department by two
& lew looms and one large twelve foot
8 pom. Another reaon is the increas-
a h speed of our two weavers, who are
a bic to get out most creditable
q mount of work in a day, either of
81 hem with work ahead can earn more
q nan a dollar and a quarter a day
Il the current piece work price. The
81 roduct OF this department is artistic
nd good. The output OF the large
Dom Is a whole floor rug. which
q as found a most favorable reception
q With the best trade The output OF
4 This department since the beginning
a The fiscal year has been $50 small
/. Jugs, 10 large rugs and 440 yards OF
S |arpet
';rhe broom department. equipped
4 .yi.h one set Of tho most modern hand
y broom making machines. occupies
s. Three men, one winder, one sewer and
A sorter It should have a capacity
q bf 100 dozen brooms per month. The
4 putput for the past six months has
d been 200 dozen.
i Our basket shop was started in the
!. summer though for a year we have
worked TO this end" A young man
A Who had some apprenticeship in the
q business was employed during tao
a hummer vacation 20 give our men
q come instruction. and under his dircc-
A 'rion the shop made considerable pro-
4 lgress Several OF our workers arc
a fnrrrestcd in the trade and one or two
Il |nre making q portion OF their living
lat the business. We are making q
suhstantial grade OF willow and reed
baskets and doing repair work The
output OF this department during the
past six months has been nifty reed
q baskets and twenty-five willow bask-
5 cts.
The chair-caning department has
alco been rather slack. but we have
divided the work among six Gamers
s,ch Of whc-n has been able 10 earn
q part Of his living. The output OF
~ TIa ~
One Young blind woman has been
t-ughf rush seating and Is now taking
courec Of lessons with an expert Ia
Philadelphia. 10 perfect her knowledge
a. this trade This old fashioned chei.
seating giyes great promise and a.
T. ere are no rush-wofkcrs IA the cit,
n is hoped sne may find IT Lucrative
employment A coioTed man IS carry
ire our rugs and broous in Whining
ton and We are nov starting one al
Odessa 10 cover the lower portion OF
the county.
rcoflpctitioa OF the blind with th'
handicap we ags able 20 oler then
eeainsi the seeing labor on bust
nesa basis we expect and meet.
The Homc-feacher or field agent
VINO has becn employed 10 mak'
monthly visils 10 the blind through
the State ieachina them their handi
crafts end exploiting their products
has bscn compelled 10 retire owing u
a loss Of the aiimm9r OF sight tina
enabled him 10 prosecute his business
This position IS now vacant but vii
ho resumed as soon as n likely candi
date can be found, We have no
neglected those requiring attention
and have exarted every effort 10 he'll
those living in remote parts. IL .
however most desirable 20 get tn
blin0 10 headquarters for proper IN
structiOn. as monthly visit OF IN
hes teacher can hardly be expccte
10 give n most adaptable pupil trad
in sufficient time 10 keep mp the IN
.erest OF the pupil. The home tsache
however in the field is great aid .
the work and can often suggest 10 tn
hind means of ameliorating thei
condition and give their friends an
faraily valuable hints for their i'm
provement Especially is this In
case with very young children. II
hoped that our work will not long b
deprived OF this valuable agent
The Culinary Department ha
been in operation for year on CO
operative self-supporting basis; an
has been the means Of providing
comfortable home for four or nv
men Of the blind workers who hay
no homes IN this city. These resi-
dent workers pay rent TO the Com
mission out OF their wages for thel
rooms and from SIS 10 s12 per mont
is collected from this source TO on
set the rent oe tho Exchange. Tn
Living Department Is conducted o
club plan and has been. mos
agreeable happy family, no rule
have been necessary and We hav
been clear of all unbecoming conduc
Besides the resident blind the r,
change forms rendezvous for otht
blind men of the city and they enjo
the society OF their friends, listen
the Telmusoi and the piano or gam
OF cards as diversion.
"At tho Delaware State Fair !
Wilmington tho Commission made a
exhibit, operating loom, Gaming an
baskctry by blind workers and show
ING the products OF the shop, all (
which enjoyed most favorable cor
ment. One Of the city merchant
Mesars. Muilin and Son, are no
showing the. products of the blind
en- exhibit which is a fine advertise
meat as Il Is IN a fine position c
Market street and brings our gooS
10 prominent attention. The thanl
Of the workers for the blind are e,