The Washington times., 1914-04-14
By 7. R. HILDEBRAND.

Hubbard, daughter Of the late Gardi-
ncr Greene Hubbard, Of Massachu-
setts, was stricken with scarlet
fever.
This little girls illness was a
priceless loon to suffering humanity.
For when she recovered she was
totally deaf. Physicians told her
parents she soon would be mute as
wen as deaf. They asked what could
De done.
The physician said Nothing ever
has been done in such cases
The efforts of this ciilds parents
10 have something done" consti
tutes one of the most fascinating
chapters in AIneTica's educational
annals II is comparable uniy with
the efforts TO educate the blind
which have made similLr wohderful
strides within 4 decade
This little girl later became Mrs
Alexander Graham; Bell, now making
her home in Washington With her
husband. the noted inventor Both
NJ. and Mrs. Rell have been direct
" responsible :or doing something"
for thousands Of deaf and dumb
children 10 bring Jhcm out of the
sbyss OF a Speechless. dumb exist
Cncc. 20 q fun. human capacity for
GEDressinF themselves and apprecf-
sting the srokep words of others.
World Famous Bureau.
Washington has one material monu-
nlent TO their activities. That is the
world famous Volta Bureau for the
Diffusion of knowledge Relating
1" the Deaf" more commonly known
~ the shorter title. the Volta
Bureau"
The Volta bureaus work had its
inception in 1880. and was the out
rrcwth of the Volta Laboratory
Associations experimental labora-
tory, conducted by DR.. Bell and
John ITitz. former consul general
to the United States from Switzcr-
land
To-Day the bureau is housed in a
C-urch-like buff stone structure,
aet high on Il terra", at Thirty
fifth tsreet and Volta place. IN
g, oreetown. II contains the most
nC.riy complete collection of books,
documents. and periodicals relating
L. the deaf in existence. Yearly
more than 5o.10 pamphlets and
ls'Cklets relating to the education
Of the deaf are sent out from this
luiiding.
Enter the building and you will
Sc vast rows of books, all relat-
ing TO the deaf, and pictures, many
"f them valuable old Autographs. OF
T"rscns prominent in this cduca-
total field.
Teaching of Speech.
But the most consplc u"us dccora-
tIon Of the walls is u huge chart
looking like cross sections of the
lugUaI organs. Thesa represent diff
fsrrnt mouth positions. and is the
standard chart now used in teach
Ing deaf children TO speak.
The Volta Bureau stands for sys-
tcm OF education opposed by the
Proponents of the sign language.
Advocates Of the MANUAL system de-
car" speech is too hard to make its
i1culcation worth wEil". But the
sdEerCnts Of the speaking cduca-
ticnsI system say that II is COM
IarativeIy easy for young child.
therefore, then propaganda to en-
Courage the early sending Of deaf
children TO schools where speech Is
taught.
This. likewise, is the hasis OF Mr..
Dc Lands plea for early instruc-
tion Of the deaf in connection with
public school systems. Such instruc-
ton already Is given throughout
Michigan and in Wisconsin. and is
now being experimental with en-
tcnsiYely IN California. II has been
introduced to q iesser extent in
other Western States, In Wiscon-
sin. twenty cities. with population
or less than one-tenth of Washing
ton. have provision for instruction