The Detroit times., 1912-03-26
IMMIGRANT WHO CAME TO
U. S. ALMOST PENNIlESS
IS NOW PHIlANTHROPIST
Tells How He Arrived, at Age OF
1S, and Had To Sleep
In Park
TREATS CHILDREN'S EYES
Dozen to Fifty Go To Him Daily
and Many Are Given Atten-
ton Free of Charge
TREATS CHILDREN's EYES

NEW YORK, March 26.-The
alarming increase of defective sight
among New York's public school chii-
dren, which recently prompted Num-
cipal Court Justice Hoffman TO appeal
TO the board of health for relief, has
for over year been largely remedied
by an east side philanthropist, Or.
Barnett l.. Becker. optometrist. In
his little office at No. 203 East Broad
way, at least l 500 children have be en-
gratuitously provided with the means
OF arresung the process of det.rlora-
ton OF sight which Justice Hofman
ascribes largely TO badly lighted
school rooms
AT least a dozen children apply 10
DR.. Becker every day. bringing with
them notes from their teachers or
from the examining nurses or tnc
east side schools. Sometimes as many
as so OF the youngsters are on haad.
Whenever the note certifies that the
bearer is unable TO pay for the glasses
DR.. Becker supplies them free al
charge. The benefaction costs Or.
Becker from $4,000 TO $4,000 gear
and he is not a rich man.
II was only Is When | came 10 this
country from Russia eight years ago,
said DR.. Becker to a reporter. Il had
learned my profession OF optometrist
In Minsk and later in ST. Petersh iTg.
landed here with very little money
and had TO sleep in Central park for
some days after | arrived. Then
opened a small shop on an east side
street and built up little trade. Tie
conditions | found among the children
here led me TO feel great compassion
for the thousands OF children who are
handicapped in life by having TO graft
ify the thirst for knowledge cnar-
acteristic OF the Jewish race upder
conditions which deprive them OF
their eyesight. SO, after had gone
TO Chicago and taken my American
degree at the Northern Illinois Col
lege of Opthalmology and otoloey,
resolved to relieve the children wheT'
ever | could.
Seventy per cent OF the children
who apply here for glasses suffer
from astigmatism and require com
pound lenses. Mr. Mandel principa.
of public school No 1SS, the largest
In the city. estimates that the IN
crease In defective vision among TIE
30 per cent within the last year. ara
nv own experience confirms it. Chr
Cren come here from public schools
Nos. 65. 7. IS. u, 90 and 81. Besides
that I work for the Beth Israel hos
pital, the Rabbi Joseph school ana
The Home for the Daughters CT ia
cob"
II came out that DR.. Becker pro
81. for oil A
ars who need them at the two INST
tutions last named whenever the gu
Derintendent OF the Beth Israel nos
pital certifies that they cannot pay
This is in addition TO the gratul'ous
supplying OF glasses to children on
the public schools.
DR.. Becker has just acquired
building of his own at No. 2lo EasF
broadway, where he will manufacture
all his own glasses and where Zee
lures are to be given to parents ana
children on the preservation OF we
eyes. Similar centers~ for the d!s-
trbution OF glasses and the dis5ein-
nation of knowledge about the care
OF the eyes will be DR. BeckerS OF
fees at No. 1909 Pitkin-ave, BROOK
lyn, and No. 102 Lenox-ave., Mahna''
tan. :.
Fifteen.year-old Isidor Golden ~
Dr Rockers assistant in the work oil
relieving the distress OF his SCHOOL
fellows. Right after he leaves pGplc
school No. GO, where he is pupil III
class ga. he hastens 20 DIR. Becker 5
office. arriving soon after 3 every az
ternoon. As the children come III
Isldor takes their notes, records theIa
in his book and has them ready TOT Dr'
Becker and his brother TO exaniln-.
Tsidor has weak eyes himself, ana
saws that was how he became inter
ested in the eye troubles OF his ,Iln-
rades.
Hundreds OF children in the public
schools of my district" said Justice
Hoffman TO the reporter, are going
blind because they study IN poorly
lighted rooms either at home or IN the
publIc schools. Principal Mandol OF
public school No. 1873 has called ny
attention to the necessity OF better
lighted school rooms and to the needs
OF those whose sight has already Leeh
affected. He and | are both lrslaE
10 get some action by the board VI
education, but thus far have not Deen
successful"
As an earnest admirer OF his III
tcrest in the matter, Justice HolIi'hh
has requested Mr.. Mandel to sehd 10
him any pupils who need glasses ahc
whose parents are TOO poor 10 piV'
vide them.