Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-09-03

organizations OF
MN PICKERING which he knows
besides the one
for which he works. are:
Pathfinder, another Michigan
group operating outstate; Mas
tiers Eye, In Minneapolis; Guide
Dogs, Inc, In San Francisco;
Hazelhurst Foundation, Mon
rovia, Cal: National Eye, and,
OF course, the famous Seeing
eye.
The Seeing Eye dogs. dis
tributed all over the country, are
the best known, but Detroits
Leader Dogs could justly become
famous in their own right.
The Leader Dog League oper-
ates on the principle that a blind
man should become freed from his
economic bondage as well as from
the physical bondage imposed by
his blindness-that is. that he not
hly should be enabled, by his dog
10 walk the streets. but should be
enabled TO earn his own living
too.
This can be done, and II being
done. The blind can do many
Jobs rs well as sighted people
can. Warman himself, who told
me about IL, In totally blind.
With his dog Buck, he came up
to my office TO tell me about II.
Statesmen, for example. csr
double the number of calls II they
have leader dogs. and il is not un-
usual for them TO make 5000 a
month-the average, Warman said
is $195.
Johnny Allen is an example
In his early sos. he fell and
struck his head in an Ypsilanti
factory. The optic nerve was
severed. At first he felt hopeless
Now. provided With dog. he I.
supporting himself and three chill.
dren, and this year he will pay
more in income tax than he used
10 get in a years pension. With
business booming. it's not unusual
for him to earn 500 a week. He's
one OF the best.
The number Of such dogs IL
pltifully small, but Detroit has
more than most other cities.
Remember, a. states out Of the
IS don't even have an organiZa-
ton training dogs.
The Leader Dog League has "A
dogs in Wayne County, with fouI
or FIVE outside the county. Seeing
Eye has three in the same area.
Seeing Eye. OF course, train:
more dogs. something over 100 q
year. but that isn't many, espe'
cially when they are spread al
lever the country. Detroit's League
perates only in Michigan, but IL
considering branching out Il
neighboring states some day.
The Leaders cost less-S600 a!
against $1,150 for Seeing Eyes
The Lions Club started the or
ganization, but many others con
tribute. The American Legion, tn,
General Motors Girls Club ant
other such groups have sponsored
dogs.
Sponsoring" means that they
pay $3.50. The blind man pays
the rest. SIS n year for 10 years
which IL the expected life OF a
dog.
Having the blind help pay for
the dogs gives then an added
sense Of taking care OF them
selves, and the League en-
courages that feeling In every
possible way.
Anyway, a top-notch blind sales
man. by tending TO business. cal
outsell a man with sight, and
girl in Flint. provided with a dog
earned more on her first day thai
she ever had earned in a month.
Some blind people work In fac
iories-Ford has hired them TO
early 30 years-but the leagu
links that jobs other than fac
DRY work will be easier TO fin
fter the war. and are plannin
ccordingly.
Notable In Detroit are Judge
Ned Smith, and Ellsworth
smith. a lawyer, both blind. The
aague believes that there II a
7eld In other professions, too,
specially insurance, and prob
lbly real estate.
II takes time. of course. and tn
'ague is looking forward.
n After all. il has a right to loo
head because IL is such a youn
> organization. 1t graduated its 1r'
dogs only three years ago th
month. and IL IL can do so muc
in three years, imagine how man
blind people may be liberated
the next 10 or 20.