The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-08-27
Mayor Tells Delegates How
Fortunate They Are.
LITTLE is WORTH HEARING
Deaf People Do Not Listen to
Patriotic Songs.
Silent Song Was Feature of
the Program Today.


Two hundred Kansans in convention
today in Topeka talked all day and
didn't make a sound.
The fourth triennial convention of
the Kansas Association of the Deaf
opened at the National hotel this
morning. 1t will be in progress to-
day, tomorrow and Wedne 5day.
Watching the 200 deaf talk on their
hands is a unique sight IN Topeka.
They talk rapidly, too, As fast as a
person carries on an ordinary CONVEX
sation. That was proven when Mayor
House and Judge c. w. Smith, in be-
half of Governor Capper, welcomed
them to the city.
AS the two men talked, S. T. Walk
err, of Merriam, convention inter-
prefer. stood at their side. Both the
mayor and Judge Smith talked in
their ordinary tones and neither spoke
slowly. Mr. Walker made signs as
the words came from their mouths
and as the speakers hesitated, SO did
the interpreter.
This is the greatest speech 1 ever
made, an address such as I would al
ways like to make" said Mayor House.
"One in which 1 do not fear Interrupt
ton And, believe me, a remark with
out an interruption is one C1 the things
married man wants in heaven.
They Are Not Unfortunate.
Some may think you are unfortu-
nate. 1 do not You don't have to
listen to every Tom, Dick and Harry
who has something to say. Neither
do you have to undergo the present
day ordeal of hearing ar audience
singing The Star Spangled Banner
There is very little in this world worth
hearing and you're not missing much"
Judge Smith lauded the deaf for
their plucky fight against their afelic-
ton. Mrs. T. c. Simpson in the sign
language responded to the address of
welcome which neither the mayor or
Judge Smith heard. Yet the deaf
seemed to appreciate it and for once
they had it on the hearing people.
Il wonder if they're kidding me-
said Mayor House, as the deaf laugh
ed heartily at a remark made by Mrs.
Simpson on her hands.
Music, the rendition of America"
by Mrs. Morris S. Hayes, was feature
of the morning program. She didn't
sing, however, and there was no piano
ed on her hands and the rhythm with
which she moved her hands showed
that in way the deaf appreciate and
know just what music means.
Emmett w. Simpson of Springfield,
Colo, the president, is ill and cannot
attend the convention. His address
was delivered by Norman D. Hunt. o.
Kansas City, vice president
In his address President Simpson
expressed appreciation of the favor
bestowed on the deaf by j. c. Mohler,
secretary of the state board of agricul-
ture, in compiling the recent census.
For deaf and dumb Mohler sub
Stituted deaf and mute"
Organization Urged.
The president warned the deaf to
ward off the danger of getting away
from the worlds events as a result of
their affliction. He described the
present day as a day of organization
and urged the deaf to organize more
thoroly in order to gain the improve
ments they desired for their people,
namely, the wherewithal to build and
m:aintain home for the aged and IN
firm deaf and deaf blind of Kansas.
For years by entertainments and other
means the deaf of Kansas have been
saving money for the erection of such
home.
President Simpson deplored the at
temptS of some teachers of the deaf
to force the teaching of oral language,
exclusively, on the deaf. 1t seems that
many believe any person may learn
the lip language by teae hing. Others
declare this is not true and that teach
| ing oral language or lip movements,
exclusively, will isolate a part of the
deaf even more than at present.
| DR.. j. H Cloud of St Louis, pres.
/ ident of the National Association fol-
the Deaf and instructor in the day
school for the deaf at ST. Louis, is G
visitor at the convention. DR.. CLOUD
also is an Episcopal minister for the
deaf. He pronounced the invocation
this morning at the opening of the
convention. DR.. Clouds son belong:
to the hearing people and recently the
! deaf of America raised 81, 900 to pur
chase equipment for the son who ha:
| Joined the ambulance corps and is go
| ing to France.
Reception Tonight.
Tonight the deaf will hold a recep
ton at the Chamber of Commerce
/ The meetings tomorrow will be helC
at Memorial hall. Moving pictures
expressly for the benefit of the deaf
will be thrown on the Orpheun
theatre screen at $50 o'clock tomor
row morning. Everyone is invited
1t will cost 10 cents to see the pictures
Business will consume the remainde
of the morning. The Chamber of Com
merce has arranged an auto rid
for the afternoon and in the evening
general conversation and meetings o
the organizations of the deaf will com
prise the program.
New York Cotton Market.
New York Aug 2T-COTTON-Spot cot