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Show BEVERLY HILLS. Well all I luiow is just what I read In the papers, or what I am fortunate enough to get in t the mail. Well this week we are : doubly fortunate, for I dont believe I am betraying any breach of etiquette eti-quette when I reprint a letter that I just received re-ceived from the worlds most re-m re-m a r k n b 1 e woman, wo-man, Miss Helen j Keller. We often exchange some word. "Dear Will: Here I come. This time all I want is the loan of your voice. The American Foundation for the Blind has produced and perfected perfect-ed what is called the talking-book. These books are reproduced 01 a machine which is a combination radio and phonograph. A book of about ninety thousand words can be recorded on a dozen discs, thus bringing to the blind the pleasure and satisfaction of reading by ear any time they choose. Instead of having to use the tedious method of finger reading or wait upon the convenience con-venience of others to read aloud to them. In addition to the talking book they will have a radio. "These machines are sold to the eightless at actual cost. The Library of Congress is having a number of records made which it will loan through its various branch libraries for the blind, but unfortunately the vast majority of the blind cant afford the machines. During the last few years the British Broadcasting Company Com-pany has on Xmas afteruoon each year made an appeal for funds to purchase pur-chase radios for the blind of Great Britain, and over the period more than twenty thousand radios have been furnished. It has been suggested suggest-ed that a similar appeal in this Country around Xmas time be made and might secure equally as good results re-sults for talking-book machines. The Columbia Broadcasting Company Com-pany has been approached in this matter, and will be glad to co-operate and give us time over their system. My job is to get some radio personalities person-alities to make the appeal. Rest assured as-sured that no precedent will be established, es-tablished, in regard to doing something some-thing outsido your contractual radio obligations, since the blind are recognized rec-ognized as a class apart from all other handicapped groups. Be it said to the credit of humanity that no one would begrudge the blind a special service. "I am writing this letter from the Doctors Hospital where I am staying near my dear teacher who is ill. She who has for almost fifty years been my eyes and ears is now quite in the dark herself, but her physician is hopeful of being able to give her back a little sight. "I am making a similar request to Edwin C. Hill, Alexander Wollcolt, ! and yoursclt. Day and time will bo arranged if my three friends, or even one, will grant the request. With good wishes, yours sincerely, Helen Keller." Now aint that a wonderful letter, and what a wonderful thing that Is for the blind, and in a telegram I just today received, the date has been set for January lGth, nine thirty to ten. (I imagine she means Eastern Time) and John McCormack Is to sing. I have such fine and broad minded j sponsors in my radio work, tho Gu'f Oil Company, that 1 dont even ask them permission in a case like this. They wouldent even expect it. Now what I am trying to do is to get this letter to you before Xmas, (in most places it will be printed on the Sunday Sun-day before Xmas, so that will still give you a day to act.) Your radio stores will know about it. The most 1 know of it is from this letter, and its called a "Talking Book," a combination com-bination radio and phonograph. So you still have time to do a good deed, one of the most gratifying I know of. If any of you younger folks, or kids are not familiar with the case of this wonderful woman, Helen Keller, and her remarkable t e a c h e r, make your folks tell you a bout her, make your teacher teach-er give you a whole class hour's lecture on her, get one of her own books "The Story of My Life" that d e - scribes lier almost miracle life. It will be one of the legend.1) of our Country. People by the million are out of worl;, and millions of more are out of tbing3 they are used to, but wdien you think you can still see, you can hear, you ran talk. Vet tli Is wonderful letter was written by pomeone who was denied nil these, on:I yet she was trying to use her li.')ents to help ones whom she felt were more unfortunate than her. P,e-member P,e-member get the radio for Xmas for some blind one, and then tune In on her programme nn January sixteenth. six-teenth. Thank you. 1034. UcSavglil Synduatt, l. |