Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1923-05-11
ANNUAL REPORT OF
THE WORKOF THE BLIND

The Workers for the Blind havt
much to be thankful for in the rec
ords of the past year. A large number
of Blind Workers were introduced tt
occupations suited to their altered
conditions, and many improvements
were made to the plant. The new dor
mitories were much appreciated
These improvements account for much
of the deficiency in receipts and dis
bursements during the year, but they
will increase efficiency of the work
and will accrue in later work. The
cash balance at the end of the fiscal
year, March 81, was $4S8.S4 but a
large amount of expenditures were
met and the cost of tuition of our
students at the University of Della
ware, the Musical School in Philadel-
phia, and some blind children for
whom there seemed to be no proVis-
ion at the moment, all brought our
disbursements to a higher figure, but
all were met with the help of the
State funds. Some of our departments,
such as the Loom and the Broom
Shop. showed deficits but this was all
cleared by the other departments, and
the Shop shows a solvent balance at
the end.
The workers for the Blind were
deeply gratified at their treatment at
the hands of his EXcellency, the Gov
ernor, and the Legislators. Such KIND
words were spoken of the Commission
for the Blind by these good friends
who are one and all deeply impressed
bv the work for the Blind in Della
ware.
Our Field officer in Kent and Sus-
sex counties makes an excellent re-
port. We have just given him TWO
hind babies, both of whom will come
to Wilmington to interview a special
ist here. The first is a baby, the sec
ond is a very weak child of eight
wears. and one of the hospitals will
take her for observation as soon as
she comes to Wilmington.
The Field officer has six readers of
the embossed type, down the State.
The Blind cripple boy at Milford has
taken up reading, and is very much
interested in it with his other work,
procured for him by our Field Officer.
Madeline Morris, of Wilmington, was
instructed in embossed type by our
teacher, Miss Burrows, and prepared
to enter Overlook, where she was
favored by a warrant for her tuition
by his Excellency.
The Workers for the Blind have
been encouraged to investigate the
case of Blind babies. We have sent
one blind child, of an early age, to
school in Overlook; one child who
was a helpless paralytic, died. All the
others are watched over and well
cared for by devoted mothers who
have been much worried by the agita-
ton for fear they would lose their
darlings. They have no hesitation IN
bringing them to The Blind Shop, |
where they know they will be helped |
and provided for when they arrive at |
school age.
Our trip to Dover, consisting of our |
assistant secretary, and two Others
with the chairman was provided with
a car by Mr.. J. T. Mullin, of this city,
and was most acceptable and comfor-
table.
Miss Laura Price, one of our Blind
girls, taught two of our men to do
beautiful rush seating used in old
fashioned chairs. A new entrance was
for the Shop on the level
with Eighth street. This was effected
by moving a door, which was not in
use, and which has been boarded up as
not available, and put over in place
of a window. The entrance to this
shop always has been very cumber-
some, and involved handling the mer-
IN a
steps, or through the house. We will
now be able to unload bale OF corn
on a small truck and haul it up the
west alley.
The loom must be provided with
dyed material and as it is impossible
to get our material dyed, we have in
process of construction a small dye
house in the east yard, similar to one
hat was operated a number of years
ago. This will provide color in our
material of the very best !
I've. The Du Pont Company, through ]
heir dyeing department, are giving
his matter their very kind attention I
md help. '
The operations of the Blind Shop {
we're as follows: Al large floor rugs, ]
',O61 small rugs, 305 yards of carpet I
made, giving employment to three '
nen continuously, and two men part I
ime; 2,315 chairs recaned and 221 re-
paired, giving employment to nine men q
continuously and five men part time;
l baskets made, 1853 baskets repaired t
nd pony cart repaired, giving en- t
Dloyment to two men part time; IA
ozen coat hangers covered and 2 doz- T
n raffia mats made, giving employ il
neDt to four men continuously and
our vendors. The piano tuning depart b
nent tuned SO pianos, giving employ
nent to one man part time. Total n
wages paid the Blind was $7,440.50. S
he circulation of embossed books for "
he Blind was 479 to twenty-four
eaders. "
The Delaware Commission
for the Blind. Il