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I have never considered relief work as a province of a Commission for the Blind; but with the apparent tendency toward providing State pensions for the blind population, the question may fairly be raised whether he powers and duties of the Commission may not well be increased to permit the granting of needed relief. Whether this relief should be distributed through the Commission or through the ordinary channels for granting relief is a question upon which there may be an honest difference of opinion; but upon the statement that the Commission has or can secure betterer than any other organization the facts upon which the need for relief is apparent, there can be only unanimity of opinion. If the Commission is granted the necessary increase in appropriation by slight additions to its corps of field workers, it can easily investigate every case of blindness needing relief. Indeed, the necessary facts with reference to a large number of cases are already within the possession of the Commission. All that is needed is that the State shall empower the Commission to make all the necessary investigations and provide the funds for the additional field workers and for the needed relief. Such a plan will be far more satisfactory and economical than a general pension system.

General Conclusions

During my five days' study of the Commission's activities and of the organization through which it attempts to carry on the work it is authorized to do, I made an honest attempt to discover the strength and the weakness of the organization. I approached the problem in an entirely, unprejudiced state of mind, but with a determination to know the truth. In this effort I was afforded every assistance by members of the Commission, by the General Superintendent, the division superintendents, and by every member of the staff, who could answer such questions as I raised or supply information I was seeking. There was manifest on the part of every employee an earnest desire to aid me in getting at the truth, and there was a notable absence of any effort to prejudice my opinions in any way.

I have endeavored to set forth my findings as fully and as helpfully as possible and to speak with entire candor. Careful search failed to reveal any serious fundamental defects in the organization or in the methods of, the Commission's activities. In general, I have only commendation for the Commission and its employees, and hope that the State legislators may be wise enough to grant a generous increase in funds, that the Commission may be given an opportunity to prove the correctness or the incorrectness of its plans to provide relief for the blind in some other manner than by a general pension system.

Respectfully submitted,
(Signed) O. H. BURRITT.
February 2, 1917.