The Green Forest tribune., 1913-10-03
MIR. H|NEMON TALKS
 IF BLIND SCHOOL.
NEW SUPERINTENDENT TELLS OF CONDITIONS OF ARkAN-
 SAS INSTITUTION.
STUDENTS WELL CARED FOR
Unfortunate Children Are Educated to Enjoy Life and Make Them
 Selves Sef-Supporting.

Western Newspaper Union News Service.
 Little Rock.-Mr. John H. Hinemon, superintendent-elect of the State School for the Blind, in speaking Of the session which began October 1st, said:
 T am in the office making prelimi- nary arrangements for the opening of school I assumed the duties of superintendent on the first of Octo- Der, the opening day of school. The correspondence indicates that the at tendance will be larger than hitherto, and yet, notwithstanding the efforts that have been made in the past to give full information in regard to this institution, investigation has shown that there are many parents in the state who do not send their children to the Arkansas School for the Blind because of 6 lack of knowledge of its advantages and the fact that their children may be sent without cost, or because of their unwillingness to com nit the chare of their unfortunate chil- dren to others.
 The board of trustees, composed of earnest, large hearted, patriotic men, who have accepted their great trust at a personal sacrifice, have done all in their power to make this school a means of benefit and opportunity to all who are elegible to attend under the laws of the state and 1t is their earnest desire and wish that every blind child of sound mind in the state shall at tend during the next scholastic year.
 "The purpose of this institution is to give education and training, both practical aud cultural, to the young blind of Arkan5as of both sexes-an education which will fit them not only for a larger enjoyment of life but which will also enable them to become self-supporting, independent self-re liant citizens; to give the blind oppor- tunities, as far as possible, equal to those of their brothers and sisters who are blessed with sight.
 Tt is a public school for blind chil- dren it is in no sense an asylum or hospital for the blind.
 All who are admitted must be of sound mind and free from any eonta- gious disease.
 The school is open to all blind per sons between the ages of six and tWen- ty-six.
 Board and instruction in the liter ary department and in vocal and in- strumental music, and certain indus trial and domestic arts, are free to all persons who are elegible to attend ac- cording to the laws of the state.
 "The literary department comprises the work of the primary and grammar school grades and a limited number of high school studies, covering, in all, a course of study for eight years
 ''The younger children are taught according to kindergarten methods and here receive their first instruction in "seeing through their fingers "1n the department of music instruc- tion is given on the piano, pipe organ, and on various stringed and wind in- struments.
 Tn the industrial department, train ing is given in piano tuning, the mak- ing of brooms, mops, baskets, mat resses, hammOcks, caning chairs, knitting, crocheting, sewing by hand and on machine, weaving rugs and carpets, etc. All this is free of charge.
 "The school has a well-equipped gymnasium in which physical exer- cises and field sports are taguht by phyiscal director
 The board provides a skillful physi- clan who has oversight of the general health of the students, and oc.llist of recognized ability who gives treat ment to those whose eyes are diseased and who need medical attention.
 Tn adition to the regular corps Of teachers, supervisors for girls and for boys are employed and all students are under the general care of a ma tron
 Circulars of information and forms of applications for admission will be gladly furnished by the superintendent on application.
 While cases of serious sickness are very rare, trained nurse and we'll equipped infirmary are provided as a part of the equipment of the school. Safety first" is one of the cardinal principles of the school, and, to that end, a watchman patrols the buildings and grounds throughout the entire night.
 Every effort is made to provide for the care, comfort, and constant oversight of those who attend the school for the blind and it is but truth to say that any child is safer and better cared for in this school than he is in any ordinary home, for while parents and guardians can give only portion of their time to their children, there is never an hour, day or night, when the children at the school are not under the care and oversight of kindhearted, symapthetic, attentive teachers and employees, who do all in their power for the pupils.
 Tn certain special cases, provision is made for travelling expenses and for clothing, but under ordinary circum- stances parents are expected to pay travelling expenses and furnish cloth ing, these being practically the only items of expense.
 "A separate school, located about one mile from the school for whites, offering the same advantages, is fur nisheG for blind negro children.
 ''In every case, parents or guardians should correspond with the superin,