Evening star., 1939-09-17
100000 Women
Supply Materials for
Goodwill Industries
New Executive Secretary
Tells of Rehabilitation
Work for Handicapped

More than 100000 American
housewives are now cooperating in
furnishing materials for the work.
shops of the National Association
of Goodwill Industries in 108 cities,
Oliver A. Friedman Of Milwaukee,
new executive secretary, asserted
yesterday in discussing its program
of rehabilitation among the Ma
tion's physically handicapped.
The workshop in Washington, at
1918 New Hampshire avenue NV,
is providing steady employment at
more than relief wages for 142 men
and women who are either handi-
capped physically or are unem-
playable by reason of age and in
trinity. 1t Is an example. Mr..
Friedman said, OF the work that is
being done by Goodwill Industries
throughout the country.
Mr. Friedman is here attending
meeting of the National Training
School conducted by the associa-
ton in conjunction with the Good
will Industries of Washington. The
school opens October Is and will
provide courses for the training of
leaders to take part in the humani-
tartan work among the handicapped.
For 18 years he has been secretary
of the Milwaukee Goodwill Indus
tries and is member also Of the
National Sheltered Workshop Ad-
visory Division of the Wages and
Hours Administration.
$1,000, 900 in Wages.
Last year, 27,801 of these worthy
handicapped people were given a
chance to earn a livelihood in the
workshops conducted in the United
States" he said In addition, $685.
persons were rehabilitated 50 that
they were placed in private jobs"
Mr.. Friedman said most of the
handicapped are capable of turn
ing out excellent work If given the
chance and the proper assistance.
They prefer to work and sup
port themselves, rather than seek
relief" he added. They are able
to make as much as they would
get on relief and many of them
earn a good deal more. Last year
the Goodwill Industries were pay
ing in excess of $2,000,000 in wages"
The 'sizeable army of housewives
constituting the service Of supply"
for the workshops fill bags with ma
terials that are collected by the To-
cal agencies. The bags contain
clothing, shoes, hats, small house
hold articles, toys and the like.
Others give household furniture,
carpets, beds, even refrigerators and
stoves. All these articles are re-
made or rebuilt in the shops and put
on sale at very reasonable prices
for families of moderate means.
Nearly Half Past 50.
we always conduct our work in
cooperation with local social service
agencies" Mr.. Friedman said. In
Il cities-excluding Washington
the industries receive support from
the Community Chest"
Although large numbers of the
blind, the deaf and hard of hearing
are able to earn a livelihood in the
shops, by far the largest number
come from the ranks of the unem-
ployables-men and women too in
firm or old to be accepted in pri-
vate employment. Among the near
ly $4,000 given work last year, Al
per cent were more than so years
of age.
The blind constitute 81 per cent
of the number of workers. That is
because more adequate public aid
is given this class of the handi-
capped than probably any other.
Those suffering from orthopedic
disabilities form 80 per cent, with
practically the same number taken
from the ranks of sufferers from or
sanic and other health disabilities.
Districts Large Saleshouse.
Persons suffering from neurolog-
ical disabilities find work and at
tention in the shops to take their
minds off their troubles. They ac-
count for IA per cent of the work.
ers. About the same number are
classified as socially handicapped.
Next to the old-age unemployables
in number are persons who are not
suffering from physical defects, but
are unable to find other employ
ment. They much prefer to work
at their various trades in the shops
of the industries, it was said, than
seek w. P. A. jobs. 1T gives them
a better sense of independence" Mr..
Friedman said
Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt has
taken an active interest in the work
OF the Washington Goodwill In
dustries, realizing the contribution
Of the workshop to the morale as
well as the general rehabilitation of
the handicapped. The local shop
has a large saleshouse on New
Hampshire avenue, where everything
is sold from a rebuilt shoe to
kitchen stove. The proceeds pro-
vida uyoooS ond II, fhic NOV kaep