The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-02-17

charge Of the reading room for the
blind at the Library Of Congress.
spent some time in France and Eng
land as a member OF the advisory
committee OF ten while studying con
ditiOns and preparing a plan for the
re education OF the blind.
Outlines Plan.
We have a plan that we believe
will care for each and every soldier
from the day he is blinded until old
age" Mrs. Rider told The Times.
Through our course every man who
retains the use OF his hands will be
trained in some occupation or profes
sion"
Mrs. Rider pointed out that mendi-
cacy will be a thing OF the past: that
the blinded man with the tin cup
begging aims and bearing a printed
appeal, please Help the Blind" will
not be the lot OF those who have
served under arms in the present war.
The work OF rc-Aducation and re-
Mobilization is divided into three
stages: The work in France. educa-
tional and read ustment on return TO
America, placement and fU!luw-up
work
- a. A'FbdA AAAltllA - ll'N -
tablishinE in France, under the di-
rection Of a skillful surgeon. a COM
plete hospital unit, which will have
an executive officer and a corps OF
assistants To be named by him. The
plan calls for one capable blind man
for each hospital staff. or this fea-
ture' the committees report says.
broaden Interests.
among the patients for the purpose
Of broadening their interests and Of
securing the assistance Of comrades.
and avoiding separating them in a
blind ward"
While awaiting cmbarkatIOn for
America the blinded men will be az
torded plenty "f amusement Of all
kinds: they viii be kept occupied so
iar as possible 10 make them forget
their misfortune.
On the return hip. this course Will
be continued, and upon their arrival
at ports Of entry in the United States
they viii be dispatched to the nos
pitaI school for =. education OF blind
ed soldiers.
Each OF these schools will be I'm
der military Organization. and will
accommodate not more than 200
patients each.
Course OF study.
The course OF study will be: Read
ing and writing the approved en-
bossed system; writing with the pen.
Gil and typewriter. transcribing from
the dIctaphone, and telephone switch
board operating: manual OCCUPATIONS
such as weaving. woodworking,
cement work. netting: in physical
training through gymnastics, ath-
letics, swimming, bowling, tramping.
boating, etc
From three months 10 one wear will
be required in which to complete the
course.
For persons capable ~ following a
profession, college ,r professional
school training NAV be secured at
existing schools with suitable facili-
ties
A placement eEeut will be appnfnt-
ed to work under the authority OF
the administrator of the station or
hospital school. whose duties shall be
10 seek opportunities for crrplpvment
I'm professions and trades already
proved practicable Tor sightIess men.
and TO search out other fields in
which they may b. engaged and as
Eist in procuring them employment
- i1r as P"NSlol' ihe blnded soldier
will be returned 10 his former occupation
or one closely allied thereto.
Congress will BE- asked 10 amend the
civil service regulations 50 rs 10 or
opportunities for employment OF the
blind.
Among the trades and occupa .Iorr to
be taught will be: BroommakInS. Ma
tress making. basket making. -ux and
carpet weaving. telephone operating.
farm work upon own FARM. mat mai
ing, etc.
The professional training will inrluGe.
Piano tuning. osteOpathy. massage Gov
erTment work pays so a month aud
board, lypcWTIt!nG and di"taphoue
operating. playing musical instruments,
and commercial work.
special course of reading has been