Evening star., 1916-10-08

burden. Give the blind man the help
that shall secure for him complete or
partial independence" says Miss Helen
Keller.
That the 10000 blind throughout. the
United States have a right to this privi-
1ege is the plea of Mrs. Gertrude Ryder,
who is in charge of the reading room
for the blind in the Library of Con-
gress, but whose work extends far be-
yond the scope and definition of the
room over which she presides in Wash
ington.
Perhaps no woman in the United
States is doing more for the blind than
Mrs. Ryder. and perhaps no one has so
great an opportunity to follow out an
ardent desire to be of service to the
Sigh tless. for the reading room for the
blind in the library is not merely the
place implied by its name, but during
the last four years has become a ma
tional bureau for the blind ali over the
United States. And it is doing a great
work in bringing cheer. comfort and
help to those who are without sight.
Mrs. Ryder has the fun support of the
librarian of Congress in her far-reach-
ing work. and she is assisted and en-
couraged in sending light to dark
places within as wide a radius as she
can reach. Books. magazines, music,
writing materials, games and other aids
for the education and training of the
blind are loaned free of cost in any
part of the United States where they
can serve their purpose from this read
ing room, which is fully national in its
scope.
The reading room for the blind is a
spacious chamber on the ground floor.
readily accessible from the street If
is not only equipped with the standard
and late works in Braille type num-
bering about 5000 volumes. with maga-
zines and music, but is fitted with every
modern appliance to aid those who can
not see, that they may learn to read,
to write by hand or by typewriter; with
games, that they may while away a
resting hour and with an atmosphere
of helpfulness and welcome which every
sightless visitor is made to feel.
Glass cases along one side of the
room hold exhibits Of the best work
by the blind throughout the country.
sent in mainly by the commissions Of
every state. In every case the handi-
craft is of the best.
"One is not asked to purchase the
product of the Dllnu through a sense
of sympathy" said Mrs. Ryder, as she
showed one after another of the well
made articles in the cases, but be-
cause it is work thoroughly well done"
Nothing could be finer than a set of
curtains of duh yellow silk, into which
has been woven an intricate canoe de-
sign in soft, contrasting colors. The
price of s75 Is moderate in view of the
beautiful craftsmanship represented in
the hangings. Woven floor mats in
artistically blended colors are well
made. and table and dress embroider-
les. with fancy work of many kinds:
fascinating basketry, pottery and even
preserved fruits make up a display of
beautiful and useful objects the seeing
person can hardly be made to believe
came from the hands of those without
sight.
Interested in work for the blind for
many years. Mrs. Ryder has investi-
gated the means for their assistance In
mann countries. Sent to the confer
ence for work among the blind at
Berkeley Cal. last year. she wers on
to Japan to observe methods of work
there Two years ago she was sent as
delegate to the international conferS
ouce ro- tho. blind in London. fro.5
WHICH - S'ne if'af-, IN