Evening journal., 1913-04-26

and both the operatives we're learn
ers, the showing is satisfactory, and
we have hopes that this will make
lucrative employment for the blind
worker.
THE circulation Of embossed books
for the blind was 567 volumes Many
blind workers have been materially
assisted and encouraged whose bus
mess Is outside the commission, and
does not show In this report. Among
these is piano tuning. which has been
most creditably and successfully pur-
sued by one Of our clients.
THE vacancy for a number of
months on the staff of the commission
has been filed by the appointment of
field officer, who, for the past two
months. has been visiting the blind
as home teacher and investigator
inquiring into their wants and intro
ducing them to vocatlons suited TO
their ability and condition. The vac
ancy In the position of home teacher
for a number of months reduced our
tuition expense. and accounts for
much Of the surplus above noted. Dur
/ ing the interim we managed the in
struction department by sending our
people to craftsmen. The basket
makers we're sent to a basket shop in
the city, and our rush worker was
taught this business in Philadelphia,
no teacher being available for this
handicraft In other cases the blind
we're sent to teach their fellows the
occupations which they had learned
This field worker and home teacher
travels throughout the State, and be-
sides teaching the blind solicits or.
ders for their products Many of the
blind are very old, as blindness most
often occurs late in life. These car
be little affected by our visits, ex-
cept to be cheered, and, in some
cases, taught TO read with the fin.
pers. In many cases, where health
and mind permit, the blind are en-
couraged to come TO the workshop
where the vocations open to their
altered condition in life may be besi
taught
THE building fund for the work
shop for the blind, Of which the vii.
mington. Trust Company has mos
! kindly and helpfully acted as receiver
and trustee for the commission has
7 received very generous and gratifying
support from the benevolent friends
Of the blind. The subscriptions, 3
list OF which Is here appended, were
In response to a circular letter sem
out last fall, at the direction OF tho
J commission in the semi-annual meet
. ing and setting forth the great meet
of this worthy cause The property
now occupied by the commission. No
S05 W. Eighth street and the ad
! joining premises, 307 w. Eight
street have been purchased by thu
trustees at a cost of 1864, subjec
to a mortgage of $4,000. Il is earn
! estly hoped that the encumbrance OF
{ the property Will, in the near future
, be liquidated by further subscrip
tons. The improved property will
give double the work room now avail
J able and will allow us to operate t
far better advantage. II is expecte,
! that possession will be obtained of tn
adjoining building in the near futur
when alterations to suit the needs o
the work, and the housing of addi
tional workers will be pushed for
ward
> The Legislature, just now adjourn
p ing, passed, and the Governor signed
y bills which will greatly aid and aug
p ment the work Of che commission
p me measure amended the act estah
r fishing the commission. giving It ful
authority TO hold property. and eN
s empting the property from tax. tn
d second provided a handicap for nc
a more than ten persons while learnin
j, a trade; this latter act will allow tn
e commission TO bring into the work
r shop worthy blind men, capable an
!. industrious who wish to prosecute
e business which the workshop is abli
1 to offer, and provides for their boar