New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-09
Ieo/ |E7|eS 60
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Two-thirds of This State q
SightIess Ones Are in
This Class--Malone
BillHolds Promise ..
of Succor.

sion for the Blind provided for by ths1
Malone bill, will endeavor to discover !
under what conditions the sightless live.
what caused their blindness and what H.
the capacity for education and industrfah
training Of each
The Malone bill. with amendments sus-
gested by Miss Holt, Felix ". Warburg'
{. 4. Hamilton T.. p. Morford and VIII !
lam F. Sheehan, Is the successor OF mel
Burd bill. which died in the Legislature
a year ago IT provides among other
things that the commission shall consist
of five persons To serve without pay, nons}
Of whom is connected with any of the in !,
situations or activities OF and for the
blind The term OF office will be hve '
years.
A complete register of che blind in the
state will be kept. as well as one or more
bureaus Of Information and industrial AID
Thus the blind will be aided in f1nding
,mplo yment and taught trades and ocou-
pations one or more schools for indus
trial training and workshops for the en-
ployment of suitable blind persons may
be equipped and maintained. The COM
mission may ameiorate the condition or
the blind by promoting visits among them
and teaching them N their homes. IL
may also pay for during their training
the temporary lodging and support for |
pupils or workmen received at any IN
dustrial school or workshop estaoiisheh
by II. or other properly qualified estao-
lishments providing the efficiency OF such
blind persons will thereby be promoted.
The commission will also inquire into
the causes of blindness and seek to deter
mine the best methods OF preventing II.
ACTION OF THE STATE.
In selecting employees for the commits
sion. other things being equal. preference
will be given TO blind persons.
The bill provides for the expenditure or
s25 900 during the first year. This bill al
il now stands meets with the approvai orl
Miss Holt, as she sees In IL the prospecst
OF adoption by the state OF many OF hert
principles.
Though the State Charities Aid Associa-
ton has not taken up permanently worry
for the blind. nor appointed any commH-
foe 70 do so. Homer Folks, It's secfs-
tary. is much interested In the present
NAV, n,ent TO improve Their condition.
The amendments TO the original Malone |
hill are the outgrowth OF meeting calico
by MIN and presided over oy joseph
Choate. Representatives OF variousdnsu-
tutions and orga nizations for the ohno
attended.
When Mr.. Folks asked II IN his OPINION
the state should assume control OF All
work being done for the blind, ne said'
"It hardly seems necessary 10 make "
GO ewaeping as that The Malone oiltI
does not imply that. There seems 10 msl
no reason why private institutions shou'"l
not continue their work. receiving ststst
aid 4 necessary. The state could advan-
tapeouslv lend financial and other help to-
institutions needing this and only assume
charge Of those blind who oeions 10 tnst
surplus or overflow.
THE greatest emphasis. added ns' |
| should be laid on the need OF teacmno
the blind at home. Massachusetts 10 90
inc this most successfully
He was reminded that New York statst
is not honeycombed with rolleys ana Nh-
roads. as is Massachusetts, and tnat tue
rural districts are often quite inacceesio'ol
"Rut." he rejoined. the rural popuia-
tion is really a small part or our state
after subtracting the cities. large and
small. The cities are doing comparatively
little of the home teaching. They do not
seem to realize as yet its value and POSI-
b,ities Institutional care IL all risht
when absolutely necessary. but the norman
Hind man. like a normal child, Is far bet
ter off in the normal surroundings such
as his own home best provides
This reminds one Of Helen kehers
prophecy that the institutions 10 wmcn
we now point with pride will remain a.
monuments to our ignorance ana 10 tns
useless suffering which we have ehdureo'
Nevertheless. as Mr.. Choate SAID IN .
recent address concerning the oh"u'
there is need for help, ana Whatever
done should be done quickly