JOHN DUTTON WRIGHT AND JOHN SUAREZ WRIGHT A FAMILY OF LIFE MEMBERS Mr. and Mrs. John Dutton Wright were so well pleased with the good work the Volta Bureau is carrying on that they not only became life members of the Association, but sent a check for $50 and asked to have their son, John Suarez Wright, enrolled as a life member. Just as we were sending the magazine to press another check for $50 came, with the request that Anna Dutton Wright be enrolled as a life member, which was done. Thus Anna is the youngest life member on the list, as she was only four years old December 26, 1920. LIST OF LIFE MEMBERS OF THE Dr. Alexander Graham Bell Miss Mary Coles Mr. Thomas Nelson Page Dr. Caroline A. Yale Miss Sarah Fuller Aged 4 years, the Association's youngest life member. Dr. A. L. E. Crouter Mrs. Edmund Lyon Captain George Oden, U. S. Army Mr. Henry D. Woods Mr. Frank D. Waterman Mr. Ion Perdicaris (England) Mr. Harry E. Wood Mr. William M. Bergins (Scotland) Mr. W. D. Thornton Miss Louise I. Morgenstern Mr. John Dutton Wright Miss Grace K. Wadleigh (Canada) Miss Bessie L. Whitaker Mrs. C. H. E. Succop Mr. Henry Stowe Lovejoy, Jr. Mrs. Lucelia Miller Moore Mrs. N. Todd Porter, Jr. Mr. Nathan Todd Porter, Jr. Mrs. William Pierson Hamilton Mrs. Hiland Porter Miss Francine Garrett Miss Mary Dugane John Suarez Wright Mrs. Thomas A. Knickerbacker Mr. F. J. Platt Mr. S. W. Childs Mr. Edgar Lowe Mrs. Henry C. Meyer, Jr. Mrs. Nathan T. Porter Mr. William J. Curtis Mrs. Frank Platt Miss Kitty Hill Mrs. J. Fenimore Cooper Mrs. Charles E. Van Vleck Mr. D. S. Wallbridge San Francisco League for the Hard of Hearing Miss Julia R. Bateman Dr. Robert Lewis Mr. George J. Geer INGRATITUDE There are those who cannot see There are those who can neither see nor hear And there are those who can both see and hear, and also feel, Who know not the meaning of gratitude! -Myrtle Long Henderson. A PUBLIC PROTEST Editor THE VOLTA REVIEW, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR SIR: In the last issue of THE VOLTA REVIEW (January, 1921) there appear two full-page announcements in the advertising columns which, in the opinion of some of your readers and supporters, embodies a distinctly inconsistent and antagonistic policy. If we are correctly informed, THE VOLTA REVIEW is devoted exclusively to the interests of speech-reading, speech, and hearing, and is published by the Volta Bureau, an institution inseparably linked with the achievements of Alexander Melville Bell and Alexander Graham Bell in the interests of teaching speech to the deaf, and, furthermore, named as the official organ of the American Association to Promote the Teaching of Speech to the Deaf. THE VOLTA REVIEW has been recognized as the exponent and advocate of Pure Oralism and as a medium of expression of all oralists. What comment or criticism, then, should be made of the editorial policy that permits the publication of full-page advertisements of The Silent World and The Silent Worker-a policy emphatically unfair to the cause to which THE VOLTA REVIEW has been pledged? If oralist readers of THE VOLTA REVIEW were faced only by a dignified announcement of The Silent World, it might not arouse much protest, but when these announcements flagrantly flaunts a propaganda for the "combined system," it should stir the heart and mind of every oralist to action. Here is the quotation to which I refer: "VOLTA REVIEW readers will find this magazine a real need and enable them to comprehend better the value of 'Combined System' as against that of 'Pure Oralism.' It is strong for speech-teaching in class-rooms, but it is emphatic in its opposition to the exclusion of sign language. The reasons for this will be printed in succeeding issues. Overwhelming facts show why 'Combined System' is the best method of educating the deaf children." In this protest we are not concerned about The Silent World, its staff and its contents. They have declared their policy and their allegiance to the "Combined System." Our minds and energies are pledged exclusively to "Oralism," and I take it that this is the object of the American Association to Promote the Teaching of Speech to the Deaf and the object of THE VOLTA REVIEW. Let us face the issue squarelv. IS THE VOLTA REVIEW the champion of Oralism or is it "carrying water on both shoulders"? What is the object of accepting such advertising matter in the oralists' organ? Do we owe The Silent Worker such a courtesy?—a magazine that has had the presumption on various occasions to maliciously misrepresent sincere and earnest oral workers? Oralism has had an uphill fight for recognition in America: its opponents have greatly handicapped the labors of oral teachers in "Combined" schools: they have brought every pressure to bear in their attempts to minimize the importance, the economic value, and the dignity of Pure Oralism. Shall we permit them to further handicap us, malign us, and misrepresent us, by offering the pages of The VOLTA REVIEW for their propaganda? MAX A. GOLDSTEIN. ST. LOUIS, Jan. 8, 1921. REPLY TO "A PUBLIC PROTEST" DR. MAX A. GOLDSTEIN, St. Louis, Mo. MY DEAR DR. GOLDSTEIN: Practically all of the readers of The Silent Worker and The Silent World belong to a class of people who are, or should be, interested in the education of deaf children. Many of them know little about the work of the American Association. It seems to us highly desirable that they should know more. Consequently we desired to advertise in these publications, but were unable to supply the necessary funds for payment in cash. Instead, we gave space in the advertising columns of THE VOLTA REVIEW in exchange for space in these periodicals, and thus were able to reach a class of readers whom we might not have reached otherwise. Many of them were doubtless started to thinking by the statements appearing in our advertise ments. May we call to your attention the fact that the American Association to Promote the Teaching of Speech to the Deaf is not, and never has been, a "Pure Oral" organization? While many of its members have stood for the oral method exclusively as the best means of educating all the deaf, many others, equally conscientiously, have not. Dr. Bell, its founder. has never proclaimed himself a "Pure Oralist." His desire has been to have the best possible speech taught, under the most favorable circumstances; and though he has, perhaps, believed that time would show that practically every deaf child, mentally normal, was capable of receiving a good education under such circumstances, still he has never desired to prevent those who did not agree with him from having every opportunity for expressing their views. NOTES FROM THE CHICAGO LEAGUE Under the auspices of the Educational Committee, a lip-reading demonstration was held at the recent Health and Sanitation Exposition at the Coliseum. One hundred twenty-five persons registered at the booth to have literature on the subject of lip-reading sent to them. Several hundred inquiries were made by persons wishing information on the subject for relatives or friends. A host of others stopped before the booth to read the placards on lipreading and watch the demonstration, thereby getting an impression of lip-reading as an aid to the deafened that they will carry in their minds wherever they go. The Bulletin Board is presenting a series of studies of occupations that offer opportunities to the hard of hearing and are being successfully followed. In presenting these studies it is not intended to convey the idea that any hard-of-hearing person might qualify in any of the occupations outlined because another hard-of-hearing person has. Degree of deafness, type of deafness, lip-reading ability, previous experience, etc., are determining factors to be considered by the vocational guide or by the person making his own selection. COMPTOMETER OPERATOR Description.-Comptometer operators do all the figure-work in bookkeeping, auditing, billing, inventory, etc.-add, subtract, multiply. and divide on the machine with speed and accuracy. Qualifications.-Girls and young women with an aptitude for figures and a disposition toward office-work. A knowledge of touch typewriting or accountancy contributes to greater skill, speed, and efficiency. Schooling. A grammar-school education essential. More education, high school or commercial, makes for better business grasp and promotion. Comptometer schools of instruction are established in 73 cities in the United States. The course takes from four to six weeks. Remuneration and Demand.-Comptometer salaries range from $18 to $22 per week for beginners, according to character of work, efficiency of operator, etc. Information from many sources indicates that the demand for operators is large and increasing. (Information for the above study was obtained from the Comptometer School Bulletin, technical school, trades, investigation, and personal report.) THE SPEECH-READING CLUB OF The first report of the Speech-Reading Club of Philadelphia is an inspiring volume. Two years ago, with a mere handful of members, the club started the plan for the first clubhouse in the world for the hard of hearing. Now, with its house thoroughly equipped and smoothly running, it has a membership of 550 and thirteen active departments in systematic operation. We quote from the report: "The opportunities of this club to be of service are unlimited, and what a beautiful form of service it is: That of inspiring with new courage those whose lives have been shadowed by deafness, and helping to bring them back into the sunshine. This is the kind of service which strengthens one's own character and thereby increases one's power to himself the truest and most lasting happiness in life that which comes through service for others." COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES AT THE LOS ANGELES SCHOOL Two recent graduates at the Los Angeles School of Lip-Reading were Miss Daisy M. Way and Miss Inez Johnson. Miss Way is an old member of THE VOLTA REVIEW "family" and one of Dr. Alexander Graham Bell's pupils a remarkable lip-reader and a finespirited woman in every way. She was wintering near Los Angeles, and thought it a good chance to take the normal course. Miss Johnson is a young lady from the Lone Star State, and was married one week after she finished her examinations. The commencement exercises were held at the school, and the two candidates taught each other before an interested audience. Representatives from other schools, even as far away as New York, were present. At the close of the teaching by the normal graduates, the different teachers and the president of the League gave them both the right hand of fellowship and some cheering, helpful words. They received their diplomas, tied with poppy ribbon, from the principal, and flowers from the young men of the school.-Lucy Ella Case, Principal. ODE TO THE LOS ANGELES SCHOOLS OF LIP-READING DEDICATED TO MISS LUCY ELLA CASE, PRINCIPAL Our teacher, here's to thee, Thy pupils love. As light from above. Our wise preceptress, thee, And fill the lack. Bringing hope back. All that the "Subtile Art" To us you've taught. Lessons you've given with care, With courage unthought. Thus sing thy praise. Through all our days. LET ACTIONS SPEAK "Oh, dear!" I said, "I am so deaf; I cannot hear you in the dark." "Oh, dear!" she said, "let actions speak When we are in the dark." With arms around her slender waist, Her lips pressed fervently to mine, "More actions, dear," she cried; then sighed, "Oh, isn't action speech sublime!" -W. F. O. NEW ENGLAND SCHOOL MOVES The New England School of Speech-Reading moved, on January 1, to 4 Jefferson Hall, Trinity Court, 175 Dartmouth Street, Boston. The rapid growth of the school necessitated larger quarters, and it was glad to secure one of the apartments vacated by the Speech. Readers' Guild. A NEW LEAGUE A League for the Hard of Hearing has recently been organized in Kansas City, Missouri. Mrs. W. P. Johnson is its President and Mrs. Verna O. Randal its Secretary. Mrs. Randal will be glad to answer inquiries from any interested persons. THE NEW YORK LEAGUE The Globe Manufacturing Company, of Reading, Mass., has very recently installed one of its auditorium or lecture phones in the assembly room of the New York League for the Hard of Hearing. This device will be greatly appreciated by those hard of hearing people who desire to attend the many interesting lectures and religious meetings which the League has arranged for the winter season. The New York League is now settled in its new and commodious quarters, and is making rapid advances in its service to the hard of hearing. BLIGHTY. A NEW BOOK By Harold Hays, M. D., Major, Medical Corps, United States Army, during the World War. 24 pages, 41⁄2 x6 inches. New York, 1920. A short "war story," written while at the front, in 1917, by one of the leading otologists of the country. It is a realistic story and portrays the human side of the men who did not flinch when called upon to drive back the foe. It portrays the longings for the bath, clean linen, and appetizing food during those three long years of nauseating trench warfare, before the Americans, came. It is a pen portrait of the grimy side of war, minus the inspiring music, the waving of banners, and the pretty uniforms. It is the kind of a story not to read unless you comprehend of what heroic stuff mortal man is made. To paraphrase an old saying, What heroes some mortals be. It may be added that Dr. Hays was with the British Army before the United States issued its declaration of war.-D. DEVOTED TO SPEECH-READING, SPEECH, AND HEARING Published Monthly in the Interests of Better Speech, Better Hearing, and Speech-Reading, by the Volta Bureau, 35th Street and Volta Place, Washington, D. C. "I hold every man a debtor to his profession, from the which, as men of course do seek to receive counte nance and profit, so ought they of duty to endeavor themselves, by way of amends, to be a help and ornament thereunto."-BACON. FTER READING Miss Ziegler's article, culties of lip-reading, that the hearing A "In Dr. Goldstein's Melting Pot," person cannot have, no matter how "sym which appeared in the November VOLTA REVIEW, I felt "moved" to add my word on the subject, particularly as I thought I recognized myself as the hearing teacher quoted by Miss Timberlake. When I became active in the work for the adult deafened, in the spring of 1916, my opinions as to the relative value of a hearing or hard-of-hearing teacher for the adult deafened would have been of little value, as they were based on the experiences of others. However, today I feel that I have a right to speak on the subject, for I have perfect hearing, and I am teaching lip-reading to the adult deafened in a school where all of the other teachers are deafened. I have had an unusual opportunity for observation and experience, and I feel that I do know whereof I speak. One of my chief duties, and great pleasures, has been to interview prospective pupils, and to talk over their problems with pupils, and I have been able to get opinions from many of those who are, or are to be, our pupils. Time and again I have seen the psychological effect on the ones with whom I have been talking when I have made the statement that, with the exception of myself, all of our teachers are hard-of-hearing. Almost invariably it has interested and encouraged them. They have felt that the hard-of-hearing teacher has an understanding of deafness itself, and the diffi pathetic" he may be. Mr. Nitchie felt that, "all things being equal," the hard-of-hearing teacher was better for the adult hard of hearing. He believed, as I do, that there were exceptions to the rule. If I did not, I would not be teaching. Miss Suter, of Washington, Miss Rose Kinzie, of Philadelphia, and Mrs. Pattison, of St. Louis, are rare exceptions, and there must be others. I do not believe that these three could be any more helpful to their pupils if they were deafened, and their perfect hearing has its advantages. If a teacher of lip-reading is to do effective work, he must be able to put himself in the other's place to get the lip-reader's point of view. That was why Mr. Nitchie required lessons in lipreading of a hearing pupil as a preliminary to the normal course. It is only by actually reading the lips that one can know the difficulties and the pitfalls that lie in wait for the one who undertakes the study. Some movements are easy to see, to be sure, but how small a percentage compared with the obscure, the invisible, or the variable movements! found when I first began to teach that my ears were apt to "play me false;" that is, I did not instantly recognize that certain words were homophenes, or that the movements were so similar as to be impossible of detection, one from the other, for my ear heard the difference. I soon I |