The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-11-18

Superior Judge Joseph R. Williams
indicated today that he would ask
"obstructionistS" be ousted from the
Home for the Aged and Infirm Deaf
of Indiana, Inc, directors board
and that plans for an institution be
pushed
Mute, II, Files Action
Edmond S. Leach, 77-year old deaf
mute, Paramount, Ind, filed suit in
Superior Court asking that the con-
tributions of himself and 1900 9TH
erS to the home be preserved by the
appointment of receiver.
Evidence was heard Friday and
Saturday as Miss Hilda Tillinghast,
deaf school teacher, busily inter-
preted the testimony to an audience
of deaf mutes.
The corporation is the holding
company formed to care for the con-
tributions poured in by hundreds of
aged deaf persons who contemplated
a haven for themselves in their old
age.
ASSttS aggregated SJU,UUU
At one time the assets were $50
900 cash and $4,000 in real estate,
according to the testimony, The
directors, a number of whom are
deaf muteS, invested the savings in
building and loan companies.
Each time anxious shareholders
demanded that a home be built be-
fore the farm would revert to the
Robert Long Hospital, corporation
officials suggested that the funds
should be invested to provide suff1-
cient money for the upkeep of the
home, testimony developed.
During the depression the funds
became tied up in the loan associa-
tons, Judge Williams estimates
that the total savings now represent
about 100000.
Sought Communal Project
Last week, five directors met and
proposed to eXpend $4,000 for the
construction Of unit on the Brook
ston farm. If the farm is not used,
it will revert to the Long Hospital,
under terms of the donors will
Once before, two deaf mutes went
to court to ask that home be built
for them, but they went to poor
farms before action could be COM
pleted, according to Charles B.
Clarke, former county attorney.
Mr.. Archibald dreamed of a COM
munal enterprise with the active
deaf persons working the fields and
providing ample harvest. Other
funds would be provided by con-
tributionS from well-to-do deaf per-
sons who Sympathize with the
project.
Knitting Her Relaxation
The busiest person at the trial
has been Miss Tillinghast, who
catches each word of testimony
from her seat in the jury box and
flashes it to the audience.
Friday night my arms were
numb from exercise when l went
home, because the sign language has
no special symbol for so many Of
the technical words and l had to
spell them all out" Miss Tillinghast
said.
She explained that the sign Ian
guage has many fine shades of
meaning expressed by a Slight twist
of the hand. Miss Tillinghast re-
lakes in court by knitting during re-
cesSeS.
William Duke Balm, attorney for
the corporation, stated that some OF
the directors did not wish to build
until sufficient funds were assured
for the maintenance of the home.
Through his interpreter, Mr..
Leach, ruddy-cheeked silver
haired man, explained that he was
an elderly man and wished to see
the home constructed so that he
could have refuge in his remain
ing years.
The corporation is non-profit
sharing and directors serve without
pay. The trial is to be resumed
next Saturday morning.