Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-27
New Commissioners Consider
ing EnIarging School
System.
DISTRICT PARENTS FORCED
TO GO TO BALTIMORE
Dr.. Davidson Says He Is in Favor Of
Idea Under Certain
Conditions.

ruDilc eoucatlon OF blind children in the
District Of Columbia may be included in
the policies to be vigorously advocated by
the new board of District Commissioners.
Need of the enlargement of the present
school system SO as to provide for those
who are afflicted with loss of sight is
under consideration by the municipal
heads. and a thorough inquiry will be in
stituted to determine whether Congress
shall be asked for an appropriation for
this purpose.
Prior to commencing work on the esti-
mates the Commissioners will reach con-
illusions in regard to a number of policies
which the new administration may at
tempt to carry out Immediately. Free
education Of blind children Is one of them.
While no intimation has been given as to
what may be the attitude of the Com
missioners concerning this proposal there
Is believed to be strong probability of the
project being Endorsed.
AS the result of the lack of facilities
for the public education of blind children
in the District, parents of such children
are forced to arrange for their education
at their own expense or procure IL at
public expense in Baltimore, and this
may be done only through what is known
as the "paupers OATH"
Brought to Their Attention.
This situation was brought to the at
tention of the Commissioners shortly
after their induction into office, with the
result that they decided to thoroughly in
vestigate the matter, with the object of
recommending any remedial measures
that may appear to be demanded
PROVISION for educating the blind chill
dren of the District have been under
consideration by DR.. William NJ David
for considerable time. The superin-
tendent favors the establishment of a
school for the education of the blind un-
der certain conditions
The school authorities at present have
no record of how many blind children
of school age there are now in the Dis
trict and have no direct means of OBJ
tanning this information. 1t may be OBJ
tanned indirectly, however. after the
schools open in the fall by having a call
children tell of how many children they
know who are blind. their age and other
pertinent questions.
In this manner an approximate esti-
mate of the city's blind children may be
gotten, and If ii then seems advisable
steps may be taken to arrange for edu-
eating them here.
Is specially In baltlmOre.
I'VE must first question whether such
a school in the District would be Of equal
benefit as that in Baltimore, where the
education of blind children is made a
speciality" said DR.. Davidson yesterday
THAT is the first fundamental Then We
must look at it from the viewpoint of
economy and find which plan is more
economical. OF course. If equal educa-
tional opportunities can be given blind
children here it would be better for them
to be taught here, as they could then
have the home environment. This is Of
particular Importance with these little
ones as the home people are always
tender and thoughtful of them because of
their affection
Suppose 1t was found that equal edu-
cational facilities could be afforded them
here, but that it would not be as eco
nomical, would a school be started here?"
the superintendent was asked.
After explaining that the establishment
of such Il school could not be decided by
him personally, DR.. Davidson said that if
such an effort was made 1.-The economists
would cry out. 1t would then be a ques-
ton between the economists and the hui
manitarians. / am for the humanitarian
side he added