New-York tribune., 1918-06-03
The Blind

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Soon after the entry of the United
States in the war the American British
rench-Belgian Permanent Blind Relief
War Fund, through Eugene Brieux, the
Academician, chairman of the French sec
ton, addressed cablegram to NJ Jusserand,
the French Ambassador, requesting him to
place at President Wilson'S disposal the
full facilities of the funds institutions in
France to care for the American soldiers
and sailors who might be blinded and to
teach them trade at which they could earn
a good living.
The government has since had the matter
under consideration and it has finally been
decided to care, through the Red Cross In
stitute for the Blind. for all American SOL
diers and sailors who may lose their sight
The cooperation of the American British
French-Belgian Permanent Blind Relief War
Fund has, however, been accepted by the
Surgeon Generals Office along the lines in
dicated in the following letter:
Colonel James Bordley Director Red Cross In
stitute for the Blind Surgeon Generals
Office, War Department. Washington, D. C.
Ny Dear Colonel Bordey In accordance with
the arrangement made when you called upon u.s.
May 23 AS government representative for the
relief of the American blinded soldiers and
sailors, we take great pleasure In inclosng
check for the donation OF 500 900 voted at
that time by the finance committee OF the Ameri-
can-B British French Belgian Permanent Blind Re-
lief War Fund. This donation is to be known as
he American Permanent Blind Relief War Fund
Foundation and our understanding is that vou
may use as you may deem best any part or the
whole OF said donation Yor the benefit of our
blinded soldiers and sailors
AS stated IN our interview with you. this Is
only the beginning OF what we hope 10 do for
men who have been and will be wounded T.,
the eyes while fighting in this war and we de-
sire to assure YOU that it Is our intention IN
continue, through you. to supply funds ,or,
mensurate with the collections wa rAcetva for
the rehabilitation and after care of thssa ma,
1t is very gratifying to know that the reconstruc
tion OF the lives Of the blinded American col
diers and sailors rests In such efficient hana 81
your own. ~ GO
Assuring you Of our pleasure In beinp ah,a "a
ca'fS OUT our wish TO serve our own men as wa
have the soldiers of the Allies we are vcrv civ
cerely yours,
tSgned) EDMUND l.. BAYI1Es
Chairman OF Finance Committee
EUGENE V. r. THAYER
Honorary sTreasurer
Great satisfaction is felt by everv man,
osr OF our 1und, the American section of
wnlch is is under the high patronage of Pres.
,oeh' 'lson' at the effective help to Amer
lean blinded soldiers that it is thus ahle +o
render. Tie American British -Franch'poI
gian Permanent Blind Relief War Fund ~
Gently was called upon by the French pov-
ernment to increase its facilities in France
for rehabilitating the large number ~
French and Belgian soldiers who are he;nr
blinded in the present furious fighting. and
we appeal most earnestly to the Amerc.n
public, through whose generosity the funds
seven institutions in France were estab-
iished and are being maintained to helm
IN every possible way with Liberty Bonds.
war stamps or money donations which
SHOULD be sent to Eugene V. r. Thayer,
honorary treasurer, 800 Fifth Avenue, New
York, which is the American heador.-+..
of the fund.
CORA PARSONS KEssLER
Honorary Secretary.
New York. May 90, 1918.