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SIR ARTHUR PEARSON, Bart., G.C.B.E.

Born February 24, 1866; died December 9, 1921

Cyril Arthur Pearson, son of Rev. Arthur C. Pearson of Springfield, Chelmsford, upon leaving school entered the field of journalism. He made his reputation as a publicist and controlled several newspapers and periodicals until early in 1914, when his sight began to fail. His fame as a journalist was overshadowed by the greater reputation he made in work for his blind fellowmen. In 1914 he became Chairman of the National Institute for the Blind, Great Britain, and in the autumn of the same year he planned and organized what was later known as St. Dunstan's Hostel for Blinded Soldiers and Sailors, a world-famous institution where over two thousand ex-service men blinded in the Great War and drawn from all parts of the British Empire were cared for and trained. His influence extended to the overseas dominions and gave an impetus to work there. In 1918 the Canadian National Institute for the Blind was incorporated with Sir Arthur unanimously chosen as Honorary President. In 1916 he was honored with a baronetcy on account of his remarkable service to blinded soldiers and blind people the world over. His death is an occasion for world-wide mourning by blind and sighted friends.

ST. MATTHEWs 25:21-His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant, thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over mary things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

Outlook for the Blind

New Editorial Office

Autumn 1921

On January 1, 1922, the editor became the Director of the Detroit League for the Handicapped with headquarters at 1363 E. Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, Michigan. As with every other agency during the past fourteen years, the editor has accepted his new position with the understanding that the office of the Outlook for the Blind may be housed in the same building with the local work and, until the magazine is taken over by the American Foundation for the Blind, all communications should be sent to the above address.

Sir Arthur Pearson

The sudden death of Sir Arthur Pearson came as a shock to workers for the blind throughout the world. His striking personality commanded attention everywhere. The fact that he had spent most of his life in the world of printers' ink, gave him a power which has never been shared by any other worker for the blind. His monumental efforts in behalf of the British soldiers blinded in the World War will stand out in the history of that period throughout the ages.

Mr. Henry Stainsby, the Secretary-General of the National Institute for the Blind of Great Britain, informs us that "there is to be a memorial number of The Beacon which will give many of the facts about the life, death and burial of the late President of the National Institute."

Of the many accounts which appeared at the time of Sir Arthur's death, the following, which is taken from The Survey, admirably summarizes his untimely death:

It would be deplorable if Sir Arthur Pearson's accidental death last week were attributed to his blindness and to the fact of his self-confidence in spite of it. For not only is such explanation (which has been given in the Associated Press cable announcing this sad news) on the face of it untrue, but it would undermine the important principle so splendidly demonstrated by this great reformer in his seven years of work for the adult blind of the world. Sir Arthur., says the report, slipped in his bath, struck his

head against a faucet, fell into the water and was drowned. That had nothing to do with his blindness.

Arthur Pearson, noted newspaper owner, became totally blind early in 1914. Almost immediately after the beginning of the World War he set himself the task of teaching blinded soldiers how to live normal, independent lives in spite of their handicap. He disregarded the traditional attitude of society toward the blind and of the blind toward themselves, finding no use-in the case of ablebodied men -for commiseration, resignation and self-pity. At Otto Kahn's splendid home in Regent's Park, London, which includes the largest privately owned open acreage in the city and will remain famous in the annals of philanthropy as St. Dunstan's Hospital for Blinded Soldiers, he did away one by one with the accepted aids, training his men as he had trained himself to become in an incredibly short time independent of guides, of special rails and contrivances of every sort, to become expert at some vocation and enjoy a variety of recreations that would promote a healthy and optimistic outlook on life. During his visit to the United States two years ago, he was able to cite instances of men whose skill and position had been greatly increased since their blindness. His magnetic personality, which won him a great influence over his pupils, will long be remembered.

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Tribute of a Canadian, St. Dunstan's
Graduate to Sir Arthur Pearson

Many letters have been written by graduates of St. Dunstan's since the death of Sir Arthur Pearson telling what he meant to them. We reprint the following, which appeared in the December Bulletin of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.

"Words cannot express my sorrow at our great loss. Sir Arthur came to me in my darkest hour and brought with him an atmosphere of hope and optimism. He fathered me through my discouragements and despair, and started me back to my native Canada refitted to carry my share of work and responsibilities. It was a privilege to be associated with Sir Arthur at St. Dunstan's and share our pleasures with him.

"Work for the blind, not only in the British Empire but the whole world, received an impetus from Sir Arthur. He lighted a torch which he has carried steadily forward ever since he himself suffered loss of vision. His

death comes as a great shock to those who have been associated directly or indirectly in work for the blind, and his death emphasizes only too clearly the frailty of the human body which may be privileged to house a great soul. His work shall not stop here.

"The torch which he lighted and started on its way has been seized by the eager hands of those who knew and loved him so well. That torch will be borne forward, and may we who have accepted the responsibility be able to say when our time draws to a close and we look to our successors: 'Here is the torch, undimmed, we have tended it faithfully, carry on.' I know Sir Arthur would have us do this. Sir Arthur's influence will not die with his mortal death, but shall pass down through the years to come as a great stimulus to not only those who work for blind people, but to blind people themselves.

"All who are interested in helping those less fortunate than themselves may well follow this great and outstanding example of cheery, optimistic, self-sacrificing and undaunted manhood. I personally feel the loss of a very dear friend and benefactor."

By a remarkable coincidence St. Dunstan's graduate in Toronto received a letter from Sir Arthur on December 8th (the day before Sir Arthur died) from which the following is an extract:

"When I lost my sight it seemed to me that the one thing necessary to ameliorate the condition of blind people in every possible way was to try and get a little spirit into them, and a little commonsense into those who wanted to help them, to throw away as much as possible everything to do with affliction, helplessness and dependence, and to use every possible means to infuse a spirit of real life and equality with the sighted world, both into those who could not see and into those interested in their welfare.

"Everything was ready for this, it was only necessary just to set the idea going. There were any number of people all over the world willing to pick it up and help it along once a start was given, and it was a very fortunate privilege that the start should have come from me." Sir Arthur's motto was "HELP THEM TO HELP THEMSELVES"

American Foundation For the Blind

The first meeting of the American Foundation for the Blind was held November 28, 1921, in New York City. We asked Mi. H. R. Latimer, the acting director-general, to provide us with an outline of the Foundation's organization meeting, and he sent us the following:

"At the call of the chairman of the Committee on Incorporation of the American Foundation for the Blind, the trustees of that organization held their first meeting in the

offices of the New York State Commission for the Blind, Hall of Records, Chambers Street, New York City, November 28th, 1921. Previous to the meeting a conference of the trustees was held with a number of prominent workers for the blind, at which time much information was secured of value to the trustees in their subsequent meeting.

"Regret was expressed over the fact that a few of the trustees were unable to be present, especially was the absence of Mr. M. C. Migel who was abroad at the time particularly deplored. It was thought best by the trustees to organize temporarily with a view to securing a permanent organization as soon as practicable. To this end Mr. Olin H. Burritt, Philadelphia, Pa., agreed to accept the presidency temporarily. Mr. Randall J. Condon, Cincinnati, Ohio, was named vice-president, Mr. Herbert H. White, Hartford, Conn., treasurer, and Mr. W. Howard Hamilton of Baltimore, Md., secretary. Mr. Lewis H. Carris of Washington, D. C. was chosen Director-General, but his services being already promised to the National Committee for the Prevention of Blindness, Mr. H. R. Latimer of Pittsburgh, Pa., agreed at a subsequent executive committee meeting to serve as Director-General until such time only as the services of a competent person could be secured. The following were named as the Executive Committee, Mr. O. H. Burritt, ex-officio, M. C. Migel, Herbert H. White, W. Howard Hamilton and Miss Prudence Sherwin. It was deemed by the trustees first and fundamental that funds should be secured for the use of the Foundation and to this end the secretary was authorized to take steps to secure a financial agent or agents for this purpose. Those present at the organization meeting were Messrs. O. H. Burritt, J. Robert Atkinson, W. Howard Hamilton, Arthur E. Bostwick, Charles W. Lindsay, William Fellows Morgan, Herbert H. White, Mrs. Homer Gage and Miss Prudence Sherwin.

"At the meeting of the Executive Committee, November 29th, 1921, at the New York Institute for the Blind, New York City, a number of matters were discussed and it was at this time that Mr. Latimer agreed to serve temporarily as Director-General. It was then also that Mr. Charles W. Lindsay of Montreal started the financial ball rolling by subscribing $1000 on condition that nine other like subscriptions could be secured from the trustees or otherwise. Miss Prudence Sherwin immediately announced her subscription of $1000 and subsequently Mrs. Homer Gage sent her check to the treasurer for a like amount. This is only a beginning, however, but there is little doubt that as soon as the real purposes of the Foundation are known it will not be difficult to secure the money necessary to carry on the proposed work.

"At a meeting of the executive committee of the American Foundation for the Blind held in New York City, January 23rd, 1922, Mr. O. H. Burritt resigned as temporary president of

the Foundation, to take effect May 15th, 1922, and Mr. M. C. Migel of New York City was unanimously elected president to begin his duties upon his return from Europe in the spring.

"At the same meeting a resolution was passed making the dues of members of the Foundation, belonging to the ten groups of workers for the blind, two dollars annually; "Sustaining Members," five dollars; "Patrons," one hundred dollars or more; "Life Members" one thousand dollars or more; "Members in Perpetuity" ten thousand dollars or more.

"All membership dues or subscriptions should be made payable to Herbert H. White, Treasurer, and sent to H. R. Latimer, DirectorGeneral, 434-436 Second Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa."

Carl Bronner

One of the outstanding figures as a result of the work at the Red Cross Institute for the Blind, Baltimore, Maryland, will be Carl Bronner, the handless and totally blind sailor who has been receiving his instruction at that Institution.

At the request of the editor of The Red Cross Courier, the official weekly newspaper of the American Red Cross, which began being issued January 1, 1922, "Carl", as he is known among his friends at "Evergreen", was asked to write an account about himself. This he did and we are reproducing it in this issue. Mr. Harold Molter, who was the Supervisor for the Blind under the Federal Board for Vocational Education in 1920, chose very wisely in sending L. A. Young as Carl's assistant when he entered the Red Cross InIstitute for the Blind. Mr. Young has no hands but perfect vision and the psychological effect upon both the staff and the students of this seeing handless man efficiently helping the blind handless man was truly remarkable. The very fact that Mr. Young was able to do practically everything for himself and Carl, in spite of his handless condition, was the most effective argument in favor of the possibility of Carl being able to do a great deal for himself, even though he cannot see. Mr. Molter's selection of Mr. Young was fully justified by the outcome of the arrangement. After a comparatively short time, Carl learned to do with less and less help until today the only assistance he has is given by one of his partially sighted fellow students at the beginning and the end of each day.

Carl Bronner will be remembered by those who knew him at "Evergreen" as one of the

optimists of the Institution. He is always cheerful and full of enthusiasm.

On November 16, 1921, when the spirit of Armistice Day was still very much to the fore, several editorials appeared with regard to this young man. From them we have chosen the one which was printed in the "Baltimore Sun" entitled

Heroes Known and Living

The Unknown hero at Arlington will never be forgotten. His tomb will remain from generation to generation as a memorial not only to himself and to those whom he typifies, but as a memorial to the American people of today, to their generous and noble appreciation of things generous and noble. The American heart has responded to his sacrifice and beats with the same proud fervor that animated him. And his grave at Arlington shall be a testimony for us in the day when we, too, shall have joined "the great majority."

But this Unknown hero is beyond the need of sympathy and the reach of trouble. We could please him best by giving aid and comfort to the known heroes whom he has left behind him. We still have with us many thousands of these, who are as deserving of praise and consideration as any who have passed away. Take the case of such a man as Carl Bronner, who lost both eyes and both hands in France, whose story was told in Monday's Sun. A man might be pardoned for considering himself down and out under these circumstances, for regarding_himself as a hopeless derelict. But Carl Bronner is not that kind of a hero. He is one who did not quit being heroic in France, whose heroism is even greater in peace, sightless and handless, than it was when he stood unmaimed and keen-eyed in battle. He does not think he has done anything extraordinary in mastering the typewriter, and he believes that all disabled ex-service men are of the same fine spirit and cheerful courage as himself.

If Carl Bronner can make such a gallant fight, should not all undisabled soldiers meet the world as bravely as he? It is one thing to be a hero in battle, when the tide of life runs high and the passion of the moment lights up the soul, and it is quite another thing to be a hero in the common, uninspiring routine of peace. Men who, like Bronner, can face the most dreadful facts of life with a smile belong to the supreme brotherhood of heroism. To them patriotism, poetry and history should bring garlands, should sing hymns of praise, should offer every word and work of sympathy and admiration.

Interesting Reprints

Ever since the Outlook for the Blind was first started in 1907, it has been our policy to utilize reprints from various organizations and institutions for the blind. We have felt

justified in this action because much of this material would not come to the attention of our readers in any other way. Furthermore, we feel that the material which is thus reprinted becomes a part of the permanent reference library which this magazine is creating for so many workers for the blind all over the world. Both of the reprints from the Massachusetts and Pennsylvania Schools for the Blind contain material of historic interest. It is interesting to find that the respective su

perintendents of these two old institutions are carrying forward so ably the great traditions of their predecessors. Students of work for the blind have always used the early reports of these two institutions as veritable libraries for information upon every phase of work for the blind and it is gratifying to find Mr. Allen and Mr. Burritt willing to give so much of their time and energy to providing similar information, not only for the present, but for future generations.

TENANTS OF THE TREES

By CLARENCE HAWKES GEORGE W. JACOBS & CO., Philadelphia, 1921

INTRODUCTION

It is a human sign of significance and saving grace, that in these days, when the strain of commercial conditions is almost unendurable, every form of art is digging deep in the search for the roots of primal things. No dance is so alluring and so loved as the na ture interpretation. No picture is so prized as the one that faithfully portrays nature, and human nature. The closer music comes to reproducing wild notes, the finer it is accounted, the stronger its appeal to the heart. Above all other forms of art the book that is true to field and wood, to the impulse of the beast, and the heart of humanity, is treasured, is truly great.

I have read all the writings of Clarence Hawkes and indorse them as honest and sincere work, which I found informing, and of dramatic interest, up to the publication of Mr. Hawkes' own story of his life, Hitting the Dark Trail. Since reading that, I touch his books with reverence and read with a feeling of awe in my heart. I wish that some way

might be devised to put this book into the hands, and heads, and hearts, of every boy and girl in the world, as a lesson and an inspiration.

How Mr. Hawkes does it I do not know, but he does describe nature sympathetically and accurately; his animals are not humanized, he has the wisdom to recognize that the processes of nature are distinctly cold-blooded, everywhere the stronger preying upon the weaker, so he always keeps his values true. Writing from the head, he does not fall into the deep, wide pit that straps so many natural historians when they attempt to put a sane interpretation upon what they see, and so humanize both bird and beast.

All the birds and animals I know are distinctly better when living in accordance with their own natures, than they would be if following ours. This fact Mr. Hawkes recognizes, and consistently reveals in his books. Higher praise it would be difficult for any nature writer to earn.

GENE STRATTON PORTER.

BY TEACHING we learn. Not to communicate one's thoughts to others—to keep one's thoughts to oneself, as people say-is either cowardice or pride. It is a form of sin.-H. G. Wells.

LIFE is, I suppose, to begin with and end with a matter of personalities. From person

alities all our broader interest arise, and to personalities they return.-H. G. Wells.

BELOVED, Our sorrows grow at the roots of our self-will. * * * When we have conquered ourselves, we have conquered all.-C. H. Spurgeon.

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