Evening star., 1936-03-25
BLIND AID ASKED
BY HELEN KELLER
Tells Value of Books to Han
dicapped in Appeal for
Library Funds.

It was the blind helping the blind
last night when Helen Keller urged
Washington audience to contribute
TO funds being sought for tthe National
Library of the Blind.
The world famous speaker, who lost
both sight and hearing following an
Illness when she was 10 months old,
addressed a reception Of several hun
dred persons at the Mayfiower Hotel
In behalf of the twenty-fifth anniver-
sary campaign through which the
library is seeking to raise $l6.360.
Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt was also
on the program and Senator Thomas
p. Gore. blind Senator from Okla
homa, presided.
There is no lovelier way to thank
God for your sight than to keep the
light of books burning bright for the
dark eyes of the blind" Miss Keller
said-her words, lest they prove in
distinct, being repeated after each
sentence by her companion and secre-
tary Of % years, Miss Polly Thomp-
son.
II can never resist making an ap-
peal for books" she declared, they
have so enriched and blessed my own
life. They have spread the drama of
human activity under my fingers and
have brought heaven upon EARTH"
Stresses Value of Library.
She stressed the value of a free
circulating library for the sightless
and pointed out that the benefit is
doubled when-as is the case in the
National Library for the Blind-the
blind transcribe the books. 1T is use
ful work they can do and at the same
time minister to the mental needs of
their handicapped fellows" she said.
Miss Keller, who is constantly ac-
companied by Miss Thompson, usu-
ally rests her hand lightly against that
Of the secretary and between them
passes rapid communication Of
finger signals spelling out the words
Of their conversation. Her voice,
which she has never heard, is difficult
at first to understand. but with the
aid of printed notes the audience last
night was able to follow her easily
Friends in the audience said they can
always understand what she says.
Questioned by Companion.
do you read a great deal?" Miss
Thompson asked Miss Keller at the
conclusion fthe lecture. and she re-
piled:
Not as much as I'd like to now
I'm so constantly occupied with my
work for the blind
do your limitations make you un-
happy?" Miss Thompson inquired
NO" said Miss Keller. because
through them I've found a new way
to work. to friendship and the sweet
ness of life"
Mrs. Roosevelt expressed something
akin to Miss Keller's last remark when
she said, II sometimes think those
who labor with handicaps have their
reward. They are so much richer in
what they contribute to the world.
And by helping, we may profit by con-
tact with their personalities and by
something that will come to us for
anything we may be able to do"
Others on Program.
N. G. Hanks, well-known blind
author and lecturer; DR.. William
Thornwall Davis, general chairman of
the campaign fund, and George w.
Bean, vice president of the Mems
Committee and director of the Library
for the Blind also spoke.
It was announced that the library
ut the corner Of Twenty-first and L
streets-will be open for its one an
nual reception to the public this after
noon and visitors were invited from
2:30 to pm.
Tribute was paid by Miss Keller
to the late DR.. William Holland Will
nner, famous eye specialist. and DR..
Davis pointed out that in assuming
the Craftsmanship of the library he
was filling the position lately occu-
pied by DR.. Wilmer.