davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-05
Blind Begin Education
In Unusual kindergarten

rapidly through the alphabet and
the months of the year.
During a play period outside
nursery school youngsters who
are not blind ran over from the
larger school adjacent. At first
.Teeny was reluctant to walk out
onto the porch. Reminded that
a seat on the merry-go-round
was waiting. she moved forward
more rapidly.
Inside again a boy and a girl
guided by Mrs. Hall, repeated
elementary touch exercises with
a Braille alphabet indented on
an aluminium strip.
Most of the children who at
tend the school are afflicted with
a type Of blindness first identified
in 1910. 1t is called retrolental
fibroplasia. Practically all the
children who have it were pre-
mature babies.
Doctors recently came to hold
the belief that the affection is
connected with the once-wide-
spread use of oxygen for incu-
bator babies. As a result. oxygen
has been used more sparingly
during the last year in prema-
turity cases, and the number OF
infants so blinded has decreased,
doctors say.
There are about $50 such cases
in the Washington area. No cure
is known.
Only two of the children who
attend the school pay the full
$30-a-month tuition charge. The
school is supported and oper-
ated by Northern Virginia Lions
Club members. The chairman of
its board of directors is Edgar
w. Tullar, superintendent of the
darlington Apartment project
in nearby Virginia.
Mr.. Tullar said the schools
annual budget is $500 con-
tributed by IL area Lions clubs.
The money is used to pay the
salaries of the three teachers,
rent for the school house, equip
ment and other utilities.
When it was organized in
November, 1854, the school rep
resented the hope of its founders
that blind children in nearby
Virginia will some day not have
to leave home and go to an
institution in order to receive
their education. At present, Mr.,
Tullar said a State supported
school at Stanton. Va. is the
only place blind children are
given public education in the
State. He said there are several
hundred children waiting to be
admitted TO the Staunton school.
The ambition of the Lion
Club members is to have facili-
ties in northern Virginia that
will enable blind children to at
tend school with normal chill
dren and be able to live at home
The most important facility
needed for such programs is a
Braille room, equipped with
books written in Braille and
Braille writers.
In Fairfax County alone. Mr.,
Tullar said. there are % children
who are afflicted with retrolen-
tai fibroplasia. Many of these
could be helped at special day
school like the one near AMMAN
dale. Despite the cost of their
present program, the Lions Club
members hope to put into effect,
according to Mr.. Tullar, "a con-
tinuing and larger program
for blind children in the area. -
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-05
japanese Embassy
Attoche and Wife Hurt

An attache at the Japanese
Embassy and his wife were adj
mitted to the st. Marys County
Md Hospital yesterday after
an accident in which their car
went out of control and hit an
embankment.
The attache, Eiji Seki, 20, and
his wife, Kimiko, 80, of $500 @
street NV, suffered cuts and
bruises in the accident on Route
235, near Hollywood in St
Marys County.
Maryland State police said the
car was demolished.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-05
'CookeAppears
.Like|yChoice
AsFIoor Leader
Muy Quit as Head
Of Richmond Caucus
To Assume Post

RICHMOND, Va, Dec. 5 Up
Delegate John Warren Cooke Of
Mathews emerged today as the
likely choice to assume the floor
leaders duties at the regular ses-
sion of the General Assembly be-
ginning in January.
The Associated Press learned
from reliable sources that Mr..
Cooke intends to resign as chair
man of the legislatures joint
Democratic caucus to clear the
way for the move.
His selection would come as
rebuff to an effort by some of the
Young Turk delegates to have
Delegate George Cochran of
Staunton take over as floor
leader.
Mr.. Cochran had oeen pictured
as man who could effectively
produce legislative harmony be-
tween the lower chambers old
line organization Of Democratic
leaders and the young members.
The administration lost control
of the House at the 1854 session
in a series of furious debates on
appropriations.
Must Push Measures
The floor leader has the task
of explaining administration
measures and trying to win pass
age of legislation put forward
by the Governor and organiza-
ton Observation-Disclosures.
| Delegate Edmund DeJarnette
jof Hanover was floor leader at
the 1854 session, but he was de-
ffeated in the Democratic primary
last July. Mr.. DeJarnette sub
istituted for Delegate Roy Davis
of Halifax. who gave up the
floor Header assignment because
of his health.
Mr.. Davis can take back the
/ floor leaders job If he wishes. He
said there was a chance he
might do so if his physician ap-
proves. In this event. he said
he would like to have Mr.. Cooke
as his assistant.
Under any circumstances, Mr..
Davis tabled Mr.. Cooke as my
man" for floor leadership work.
/ The big factor against the APP
pointment of Mr.. Cochran-de-
scribed by one young delegate as
the most conservative of the
Young Turks"-appeared to be
his lack of membership on the
Privileges and Elections Com
mittee.
Tradition Is Long
/ The floor leadership has ira
ditionally gone to the ranking
member-or some person close to
the ranking member - OF this
committee. Mr.. Cooke is next to
Mr.. Davis in committee seniority.
/ The House speaker. however,
has the power to name someone
else to the position il he so
wishes.
Mr.. Cochran has indicated he
would be receptive to taking on
the floor leaders role, but has
also made it clear he will not
campaign or make any fight over
the issue.
Some of the Young Turks,
while believing the appointment
of Mr.. Cochran would lessen the
chances of new friction between
the Houses older and younger
elements, also take the view it
might be unwiSe to wage a
serious fight over the matter.
They point to two important
assignments given the Young
Turk faction since the 1854 ses-
sion. Delegate Joseph Black
burn of Lynchburg was named
to the Gray commission and
Delegate Toy Savage of Norfolk
to the Governors Budget Ad-
visory Committee.
The Younk Turks have con-
tended all along they are mem
bers of the organization and
merely want a bigger voice in
making its policies.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-05
THE CONCERT HALL, built

4HL OOkNSEhA HAIL. Uullt
within the Library, was the
first structure ever donated to
the United States Govern
ment. 1t was built in 1925
with funds from the Eliza
beth Sprague Coolidge Foun-
dalton, which also sponsors
the concerts. Technicians
say it is acoustically perfect
for chamber music.
One result of all this inter-
est in tickets is that the peo-
pie who come form a perfect
audience. There is no cough
ing. whispering or rustling.
They come to hear music, not
to be seen.
Even the Library staff has
trouble getting tickets" Mr..
Spivacke says. II average
about once in three years sit
ting in the audience myself.
For the rest, I'm backstage.
Il wish people would begin
to think of these more as ra-
dio concerts" he adds visit
fully.
Whenever we have a con-
cert, almost the whole Lii
brary staff prays for snow.
Or at least, a heavy rain.
Then they might have a
chance at few vacant Seats
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-05
Rambling.

The only way you can get
into the Capital Transit Co.
building in Georgetown is
through the basement or the
roof. It's built on a cliff be-
tween M street and Prospect
street. It's also the only build
ing in town with a streetcar
elevator.
A visitor from Baltimore re-
ports that when he left his car
parked overnight on a street
here he got a notice from
Washington police that he'd
better get District license. . /.
"Ansonia, Fifth Avepue," is
on Tenth street. -.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-05
BY G. O. HERNDON

! ny ~ W
Life for sightlesS children Is
like a perpetual game of blind
mans buff in which they must
catch and identify persons. OBJ
jects and ideas around them by
employing all senses but the
missing one.
A group OF blind youngsters
are learning the game at an early
age in small Schoolhouse
cottage near Annandale-the
Northern Virginia Pre-School
for Blind Children-the only
school of its kind in the Wash
ington Metropolitan Area and
one of about half dozen in the
same category in this country.
At the school, which is financed
by several Northern Virginia
Lions Clubs, blind children OF
pre-school age play and learn to-
Igether in typical nursery school
atmosphere.
Except when the children are
being introduced to the rudi-
ments of the Braille alphabet.
little special equipment is used
There are toy blocks, books, peg
boards, toys, a rocking horse, a
photograph and finger pa!nk
Outside there are swings and a
two-seater merry-go-round.
Practice on Stairs
One special item of equipment.
donated by local Lions Club
members. is a small stair plat
form. with three steps on either
side and banisters. The chill
dren practice walking up and
down stairs on it, trying not to
shuttle or clutch the banister
with both hands.
Three teachers are employed
at the school from 8 a m. to l2:45
pm. in a rented cottage on the
grounds of the Benjamin Acres
School for school and pri-
mary grade children. An average
of eight boys and girls are in
regular five-day-a-week attend
ance. The school is situated on
Route 236 between Annandale
and Fairfax.
Teachers of blind children face
special problems. These include
difficulties with speech, posture
and the problem of arousing
curiosity and incentive.
Some Sit in Silence
The blind youngsters often
find it easier and safer just to
sit. Some do not speak without
urging. Others, who have been
protected too well from the
blackness around them, are de-
pendent on constant help. They
expect their whims to be graft
fed Immediately, and they are
likely to be extremely upset by
the slightest Illustrations.
During a recent. chilly morn
ing at the Annandale School, the
IteacherS-Mrs. David Mosso,
Mrs. Thomas M. Davis and Mrs.
Carl D. Hall, the schools di-
irector-kept the children en-
gagged in a continuous round of
activities.
Bobby, a 5-year-old, heard a
teachers knock on the outside of
the schoolroom door. He went
toward the sound but collided
with wall foot from the door
IUndaunted, he took accurate aim
at the sound of the next knock,
found the doorknob and politely
admitted the caller.
Learn Alphabet
A 4-year-old blond girl, Teeny,
went through the alphabet with
out prompting to the letter K
and then, after a word of help,
through the rest of it. Sitting
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-05

AnE LINE FOhNt0 each
Monday morning long before
the doing out of the tickets
begins at 8 am, and at the
appointed hour hundreds of
Washington residents pick up
their home or Office telephones
to try to get through to the
box Office.
Within an hour or two,
about all that is heard on the
telephones or at the box office
is the repetitious Sorry ;"
The next technique for the
hopefulS is to call during the
week on the chance that
someone will cancel their
tickets. And, as a last resort,
they show up Friday night
and stand in line once more
outside the concert hall at the
Library's main building, hop
ing someone won't show up.
When concert time rolls
around. each of the 51l per-
manent seats and the Is fold
ing chairs set up at the back
Is filed. Any overflow is
shunted to a nearby audito-
rum. where they can hear
over a loudspeaker system
but can't see the musicians.
Before the Library began
broadcasting the fall, winter
and spring concerts over sta
ton WGMS eight years ago,
the demand for seats was even
more inSistent.
Most of the ticket distribu-
ton headache falls on Harold
Spivacke, chief of the Lii
brary'S music division.
We've tried every system
known to man to see that
they're passed out fairly, and
to keep down complaints" he
says.
I'VE used to give the tickets
away. But we found that
when they were free, some
people took them and didn't.
show up, Now that we
charge a 25-cent fee, nearly
everybody who takes tickets
shows up. But the 25-cent
service charge doesn't even
begin to cover the distribution
cost.
Once We had a mail order
system. We would send out an
announcement of upcoming
concerts, and the people
would mail back requests for
reservations.
I'VE found we we're getting
as many as 800 special deliv-
cry letters at one time request
ing tickets. The majority
wanted two tickets.
1T got to be like a lottery.
All we could do was dip into
the mail sacks and pick out
500 at random"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-05
CONVENTIONS
TODAY

Vegetable Growers Asso-
citation opens a four-day
convention at the Sheraton
Park Hotel. About 600 dele
gates are expected.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-05
The
Rambler
A Concert Nobody
Gets Dragged To
By JACK JONAS

By the time this gets into
print, some 500 lucky people
will have concert tickets for
which several thousand other
people would give their eye
teeth.
This is true even though
distribution of the tickets
started only a few hours ago,
and the concert isn't until Fri
day. And by now, disgruntled
music lovers are calling the
Library of Congress to COM
plain they didn't get tickets.
1t almost always happens
that way for the Friday night
chamber music concerts put
on by the Library.
The concerts have been a
Washington institution for 80
years.
The frontiersman., 1955-08-11
Cancer OaaIgn Nets Over $500

TNe Cancer campaign conduct ed tn the Matanuska Valley dur ing the month of July has net ted over $50 to date, according to Mrs. Stewart Durrant, campaign chairman.
 '~Tne campaign is closing this week, with the collection of the contribution cans in the stores :, Mrs. Durrant stated. Anyone who has not yet made a donation may still send if to Mrs. Durrant. Several organizations who have not met during the campaign have indicated they will be send ing donations and the final fig ure is expected to be somewhat higher than the present amount. Mrs. Cy Brewer, persident of the Homemakers' Council, has assist cd Mrs. Durrant in the campaign.
The frontiersman., 1955-08-11
S11O0 Robbery ReDorfed 10 Police

Over 5I100 in cash was stolen from the Standard Oil office in the Coop shopping area some time between Saturday night and Sunday morning, city police were notified at noon on Sunday. City and Territorial police are working on the case. Billy Nee han, driver, discovered the break and reported it at noon on Sun day. Entry was gained through a forced window; no other dam- age was reported, nor was any thing disturbed in the station. From appearances police believe the hiding place was known to the intruder or intruders.
 A 1852 Chevrolet pickup truck reported missing Monday morn ing from Kirk's Sales and Ser vice was recovered Monday af- ternoon on Jim Creek road, fol- lowing report from Mrs. J. l.. Cowdill that such a vehicle was parked on the road. A spare tire and wheel and the truck radio were missing and believed taken by whenever took the truck.
The frontiersman., 1955-08-11
ESS DRIVER DRAWS Sl6 FINE

Herald Charles, 25, of Anchor age was fined $50 and had his drivers license suspended for a 3O-day period when found guilty of a charge of reckless driving brought by City Police.
 Charles, who was cited to court on August 2, entered a plea of guilty to the charge.
 Tn pronouncing the penalty, City Magistrate Frank Connally cautioned Charles against driv- ing a vehicle during the 30-day period. According to Territorial law, if you drive a car during this period, you are subject to imprisonment, he stated. Char les was apprehended. by city po- lice early Sunday morning while driving in a reckless manner within city limits.
 The City of Palmer is conduct ing an all-out campaign to stop reckless driving and speeding in and around the city.
The frontiersman., 1955-08-11
Alaska Produce Week To De Discussed al Chamber Mesiing

All merchants, farmers and in terested individuals are invited to attend the August 1T meeting of the Matanuska Valley Cham Der of Commerce. A report on the Alaska Produce Week being planned for the latter part of the month will be given by com mittee chairman Stewart Dur rant. The special featuring of All aska produce could be the fore runner of a territory-wide pro gram in which not only Alaskan produce, but all type Alaska products would be featured.
 Chamber president, Everett Adams, this week urged all in- terested persons to attend the meeting slated for 12:05 at the Coop club room. Members of the Anchorage Chamber of Com merce will be extended an invi- tation to participate in the pro ject to publicize Alaskan grown produce.
The frontiersman., 1955-08-11
Whirlpool Baih Donated By
 Legion and Auxiliary

The Jacuzzi whirlpool bath pump, recently purchased by the Matanuska Valley American Le- zion Post and Auxiliary Unit, has arrived and has been plac- ed in the Valley Presbyterian Hospital, it was announced this week.
 The bath is to be used, as pre- scribed by hospital doctors, Pub lie Health Nurse or physical therapist, free of charge to every one.
 The equipment is to remain in the hospital unless checked out personally by doctor, register ed nurse, Public Health Nurse or physical therapist.
 The whirlpool bath is expected to be used extensively by polio patients and others needing the special benefits provided by this new piece of equipment, and is the only one of it's kind in the Valley.
The frontiersman., 1955-08-11
W.O.O.M. NOMINATE IRWIN SONG AS
 SONG OF THE VALLEY

Where the MatanuSka Flows , original song written by Don +. Irwin of Palmer, was nominated as the Valley Song at recent meeting of the local Women of the Moose.
 The song, of which both the words and music were written by MT. Irwin, was sung by Mrs. Cy Brewer and Mrs. Chet Sandvik, following which MT. Irwin was called on to give a little history on how, where and when he wrote the song. In telling of his love for the Valley, the song writer urged people to settle in Alaska and perhaps he would liked to have qualified 1t by say ing " where the Matanuska flows.
 At the close of the meeting an original painting of the Matan- uska River, done by Mrs. Archie Moffitt, was presented to Irwin by the artist.
 MT. and Mrs. Irwin, Mrs. Sand vik and Mrs. Brewer were guests at the meeting.
The frontiersman., 1955-08-11
MEA STILL SEEKING APPROVAL TO LEND Sl5,00O TO CAPA

At a special meeting of the Matanuska Electric Association board of directors held last Sat urday "a vote of three yeas and two nays reiterated the boards request to REA for approval of a SI5,0OO loan to the Central Al aska Power Association. The vote was called following a lengthy discussion pertaining to the legality of the loan.
 Tn recording the vote, Aaron Combs and Charles Wilson, board members who voted in the mega tive, both reserved the right to change their votes on existing minutes on new information and with to make the fact plain that the project is not disfavored but want more information as to the right and proper procedure and legality. The previous paragraph is an excerpt of the minutes of the meeting, which was available only in note form.
 Present at the meeting was Ivan Bloch, North Pacific con sultant, who told board members that in his opinion the Cooper Lake site will prove to be feas- lble project as a hydro-electric site.
 Feasibility studies at the Coop CT Lake site were started July II by the North Pacific Consul tants who were earlier awarded the $65,O0O job by the Central Al aska Power Association. The con- tract calls for the engineering study to be completed within 200 days. According to estimates, should the project prove feasible, it would be capable of producing 1900 killowatts of power.
 Boch told board members that the definite project report will include complete photographic reports.
 Speaking of the Stetson Creek
 (Contislued on page D
The frontiersman., 1955-08-11
COOP ANNUAL MEET SET FOR SATURDAY

Producing members of the Ma tanuska Valley Farmers Cooper ating Association will hold their annual membership meeting in the Palmer School gymnasium on Saturday, August 13, beginning at 10 a.m., it was announced this week by Stewart Durrant, Coop general manager.
 Annual reports will be given by officers and committees; am- endments to the associations by laws will be proposed, three va cancies on the board of directors will be filled by election, and a request from the Panama Valley Farmers Cooperating Associa- ton to affiliate with the local as- Sociation will be considered. The Fairbanks group is expected to grow considerably with the M.V.F.C.A. dairy and creamery in full operation in Fairbanks. It now consists of 30 producing members.
 The terms of John Nash and Tex Kibbe, board members, are expiring and the unexpired term in which Bill Hecker has been serving will be filled by election.
 A buffet style dinner will be served at noon by members of the Palmer Women of the Moose.
 Three valuable door prizes will be awarded during the meeting, the first to be given away at 10:30 a.m., Drrant stated. All members are urged to attend.
The frontiersman., 1955-08-11
FAIR PROGRAM SHAPING UP FAST

The program for the 1855 Ma tanuska Valley Fair is beginning to shape up, according to Al flag en, fair manager. We have part of the program for each day pretty well outlined", he said, with other events to be added as soon as scheduled.
 Saturday, September 3, has been tentatively designated as Family Day and the afternoon will feature programs for all children attending the Fair, be- ginning at noon with a bicycle race from Wasilla to Palmer. Favorite events such as a pie eating contest, three-legged rac- eS, sack races, etc. will be stag ed on the Fairgrounds. Prizes will be awarded to winners in all contests.
 Junior members of the Arctic Valley Riding Club will stage a junior rodeo each afternoon of the Fair. Featured races, stunts, games, and contests will be stag ed by the youthful riders.
 An old fashioned firemans' muster, staged in the modern style, will De put on by members of the Anchorage, Spenard, Mt. View, Palmer, Chugiak, and pos sibly other departments. The only type fire truck permitted in the muster will be the Civil De- fense Jeep bumper which each of these communities have.
 Highlight of the opening date of the Fair will be the Corona ton Ball to be held Saturday evening, September 3 in the Pal mer School gymnasium. During
 (Continued on page O
The frontiersman., 1955-08-11
T. A. MOVER
 NAMED CURATOR VALLEY MUSEUM

fl. A. Mover, Matanuska Valley Fair Association president, was this week named curator of the Valley Fair Museum and will su- pervise fthe display of Valley artifacts and antiques during the 1855 Fair.
 Although the museum will be far from complete this year, there will be an interesting display of historical items which will be shown throughout the Fair. The museum is housed in Valley artifact the cabin which was built in the early days of the Col ony, entirely of logs. It is the only building in this area with the reconstructed chimney and in itself will be a great tourist at- traction.
 Members of the Matanuska Valley Fair Association plan to restore the building as time and funds permit. The Palmer Gar den club will be invited to par ticipate in landscaping and an appeal will De made for dona- tions to the museum of Valley artifacts and antiques for per manent display. Future plans in clude keeping the museum open throughout the summer as a tourist attraction.