The Braille Forum Volume I July 1962 Number 2 Published Quarterly by the American Council of the Blind * Associate Editors Mrs. Marie Boring 1113 Camden Avenue Durham, North Carolina George L. Howeiler P.O. Box 336 Sandy, Oregon Mrs. Mary Jane Hills 74 Falstaff Road Rochester 9, New York Executive Offices RFD 3, Conyers, Georgia ***** ** Table of Contents ACB Board of Directors Meeting Charting A New Course, By Earl Scharry ACB 1962 Convention Tentative Agenda Committee Chairmen Convention Program Committee and Convention Sessions Charter Memberships Convention Host -- Hospitality and Recreation Convention Hotel NFB Expulsions as the States See Them Three Editions of the Braille Forum Officers and Directors ***** ** ACB Board of Directors Meeting A meeting of the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind was held in Chicago on April 28 and 29. All members of the Board were present. The principal purpose of the meeting was to consider the urgent need for funds to carry on the work of the Council. In addition, there was a need to complete plans for the summer convention and to make other plans and decisions which would be difficult to handle adequately by correspondence. The matter of finances was given priority. The Treasurer reported that $925 had been paid to the American Printing House for the Blind and that the treasury was at a low ebb. Mr. Charles Buckman, who is managing the ACB-sponsored gum program, was present and reported that the development of this program would take more time and effort than had been anticipated. The principal item on fund raising was a proposal involving the mailing of greeting cards on approval. In order to open this question for debate a motion was made that ACB approve the mailing of greeting cards as a fund-raising project, provided a favorable contract could be negotiated. In the discussion on the motion, those members who opposed this type of fund-raising argued that unordered merchandise antagonizes some people, that it is opposed by Better Business Bureaus and Chambers of Commerce and that it is unlawful in some localities. Other directors argued that much of the opposition to unordered merchandise comes from merchants who wish to protect their own businesses and that the use of this fund-raising method by numerous groups indicates that no substantial proportion of the public is antagonized by approval mailings. Some of the members of the Board felt that unordered merchandise as a means of raising funds is preferable to direct appeal letters because it offers something of value to the recipient and because it is a simple matter to reverse the address card and return the merchandise if the recipient so desires. By a vote of 11 to 2 the Board voted to approve the mailing of greeting cards as a fund-raising project for the ACB, provided a favorable contract could be negotiated. Those voting in favor were Dean Sumner, David Krause, Alma Murphey, Reese Robrahn, Al Drake, Marie Boring, Alaric Nichols, George Card, Durward McDaniel, Mary Jane Hills, and Winfield Orrell; those opposed were Ned Freeman and Juliet Bindt. Following the approval in principle of the greeting card method of fund raising the proposal referred to above was heard. The proposed contract with the fund raiser was read and thoroughly discussed, and a considerable number of alterations were made. It is worthy of note that this contract was negotiated in its entirety by the full membership of the Board of Directors with frank and open discussion of all points. The contract provides that ACB deal with the contractor as an individual, not a corporation. It provides a commission to ACB on each box of cards with no financial risk to the Council. The Council has full control over all literature to be included and will handle all receipts and correspondence resulting from these mailings. The Board decided that, if possible, the receipts should come directly to a bank for accounting and deposit. The Directors plan to foster good public relations by arranging to have a qualified person handle every letter from greeting card recipients that requires an answer. The Board considered the kind of literature to be enclosed with the greeting cards and elected a committee of three to prepare such material: Ned Freeman, chairman; Durward McDaniel and George Card. Following a careful reexamination of the amended contract, the president was unanimously directed to sign it. The decisions reached by the Board in regard to the convention are covered in the report by the convention chairman, Durward McDaniel, elsewhere in this issue. The BRAILLE FORUM, the ACB-sponsored magazine, was discussed. Among other things the Board considered the possibility of a salary for the FORUM editor in the future, the possibility of publishing the FORUM monthly, and the editorial policy of the magazine. Pending and proposed legislation affecting the blind was discussed by the Board. As a result of decisions reached at this Chicago meeting, David Krause has made two appearances before Congressional committees. The first of these, before the Senate Finance Committee, was in support of Section 136 of H.R. 10606, which provides a permanent solution to the Missouri-Pennsylvania pension problem. The second was in connection with H.R. 11533, which would permit blind Federal civil service employees to use volunteer readers when secretaries are not provided by the Federal government. As it is illegal at present for the government to accept volunteer service, passage of this bill would open a number of jobs now closed to the blind. The bill is supported by the American Foundation for the Blind, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, the National Federation of the Blind, and the President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped. The convention resolutions committee was asked to prepare resolutions for consideration by the convention in support of H.R. 10123 and H.R. 10125, which pertain to special education. Three resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Georgia Federation of the Blind also were referred to the resolutions committee. The president was instructed to appoint a committee on the education of blind children. The Directors instructed the ACB treasurer to prepare a comprehensive financial report to the convention and instructed the president to appoint three ACB members to audit the books and report to the convention. As a public service, a spot announcement concerning glaucoma was approved for circulation to radio stations throughout the country, and the printing of a comprehensive leaflet concerning glaucoma with sight-saving warnings was authorized. The president and the public relations committee were encouraged to continue to develop such public service projects. The Board of Directors discussed the following items but took no formal action: (1) Should the proceeds from the greeting card mailings be divided among the State affiliates, if any? (2) How the ACB can aid State affiliates. Legislation, organizing, and fund raising were discussed as possible aids, along with loans without interest and a speakers bureau. (3) Voting procedures at ACB conventions. (4) A possible trust fund for the ACB. ***** ** Charting a New Course By Earl Scharry In any organization there is always a temptation to subordinate principle to expediency. Expediency can take you far. When cleverly manipulated it can take you just about any place, except where you want to go -- because you really aren't going any place. Your ultimate goal is completely subordinated to the advantage of the moment. The founders of the American Council of the Blind acted in defense of valued principles in launching this new venture. In this new organization it is imperative that all of us continue to place principle above expediency as we strive to merit the allegiance of blind citizens and the respect of the general public. Our success in this effort will depend largely upon the work of the Resolutions Committee at the St. Louis convention in discovering and formulating those broad principles which can unite us and embodying them in a "platform" which can inspire the blind people of the nation and at the same time convey to the public that our program will also advance the general welfare. For this reason I believe that the work of the Resolutions Committee and the action of the membership upon its recommendations should be given precedence over all else at St. Louis. We should first of all set up the principles which will be our guideposts and then try to see to it that our actions on such things as constitutional provisions, financing, legislative program, and policies on specific issues conform with these principles. I believe that the people who will meet in St. Louis can unite overwhelmingly on a number of salient principles. First of all, they all believe in a democratic organization in which the office are strictly accountable to the executive committee and the executive committee is strictly accountable to the membership. They believe that the actions of the officers must be authorized by the members in advance and not merely ratified long afterwards. They believe that the officers are obligated to disclose to the membership all facts in their possession that are pertinent to the conduct of the affairs of the organization. They believe that the national organization should not interfere in state or local affairs. Let us begin by enunciating these principles unequivocally and forcefully and then follow this up by defining as closely as possible the areas in which the national organization is competent to act and those in which state and local autonomy must be preserved. We believe in freedom of expression not only for the spokesmen of the organization but for the members as well. We believe that when internal policies are at issue, the publications and other resources of the organization should be made available on equal terms for the presentation of all relevant points of view. Let us incorporate these principles, too, in our platform. We believe in as broad a participation as possible in the government of the organization and periodic rotation in the principal offices, and we believe in sound budgeting and auditing procedures. Let us say so in our platform. We believe that it is one of the principal functions of organizations of the blind to promote the maximum amount of independence and opportunity for blind citizens and to dispel the stereotype of the helpless blind man. We believe that this objective should not be lost sight of for a moment, even in our appeals for financial support, and that these appeals should never be allowed to deteriorate into maudlin appeals for pity. Let us not shrink from enunciating these beliefs in our platform. We believe that agencies for the blind have legitimate functions and interests which they pursue with varying degrees of sincerity and efficiency. We believe, however, that such agencies and their organizations are not spokesmen or interpreters for the blind, but are primarily concerned with advancing their programs and the professional standards of their workers. Our platform should define the distinctive functions of agencies and organizations and proclaim our willingness to cooperate on common objectives. We believe that citizenship for the blind, as for everyone else, entails responsibilities. We believe that as a responsible organization we must have a due regard for the welfare of others as well as for the advantage of the blind. We believe that it is possible for blind people as well as sighted to harbor and contribute to the perpetuation of the stereotype of the helpless blind man. We should have the courage and the forthrightness to declare these beliefs in our platform. Once we have discovered and enunciated the principles on which we are united, they should not be treated or regarded as mere window dressing, as tools to be used to serve the expediency of the moment and then cast aside and forgotten. They should be applied to our statements of policy on specific subjects in the area of education, rehabilitation, sheltered workshops, fair employment practices legislation, the widening of opportunities for employment and advancement, etc. We should not use them as the debater who marshals and utilizes arguments solely as a means of winning a point which he has settled upon in advance, but as a philosopher who seeks the truth. We should not use them as the politician who manipulates arguments for his personal advantage, but as the statesman who is guided by principles in seeking the right solution. ***** *** ACB 1962 Convention Place: Pick Mark Twain Hotel, St. Louis, Missouri Dates: July 13 - July 16 ** Tentative Agenda ** Friday, July 13 9:00 a.m.: Committee Meetings 1:00 p.m.: Registration ** Saturday, July 14 9:00 a.m.: Call to Order Invocation Addresses of Welcome Report of Committee on Arrangements Report of Committee on Credentials Adoption of Convention Rules Adoption of Convention Agenda Reports of Standing Committees 12:00 noon: Recess 2:00 p.m.: Credit Union Information Session 3:30 p.m.: Representative of Civil Service Commission 4:00 p.m.: President's Report 4:30 p.m.: Reports of Standing Committees 5:30 p.m.: Recess 8:30 p.m.: Dance ** Sunday, July 15 9:00 a.m.: Call to Order Invocation Report of Constitution Committee 10:30 a.m.: Recess 12:30 p.m.: Luncheon for State Leaders 2:00 p.m.: Representatives of: National Rehabilitation Association, American Foundation for the Blind, American Association of Instructors of the Blind, American Association of Workers for the Blind, Blinded Veterans Association 4:30 p.m.: Recess 7:00 p.m.: Banquet Guest Speaker: Nelson Cruikshank, AFL-CIO Honored Guest: Congressman Frank M. Karsten of Missouri ** Monday, July 16 9:00 a.m.: Call to Order Invocation Adoption of Constitution 12:00 noon: Recess 1:00 p.m.: Election of Officers 2:00 p.m.: Treasurer's Report 2:15 p.m.: Report of Audit Committee 2:30 p.m.: Reports of Standing Committees 5:00 p.m.: Adjournment * Committee Chairmen Resolutions -- George Howeiler Legislative -- Durward McDaniel Public Relations -- Dean Sumner Publications -- Floyd Qualls Finance -- Winfield Orrell Education -- Robert Campbell Convention Arrangements -- Alma Murphey Credentials -- Reese Robrahn Constitution -- Delbert Aman Statement of Purpose -- Bradley Burson Employment Opportunities -- Edward A. Hill Audit -- To be announced ***** ** Convention Program As the tentative agenda indicates, this will be primarily a working convention to establish a constitution and major policies of this new national organization. However, several program items deserve explanation. The credit union information session is being held with the direct cooperation of the Credit Union National Association, the CUNA Mutual Insurance Society, the Missouri Credit Union League, and the Illinois Credit Union League. There are now twelve credit unions in the U.S. and Canada organized primarily for blind persons. Members of several of these established credit unions will participate in the session. It has a two-fold purpose: to give additional information to those already in such credit unions, and to bring basic information to persons who may want to work on the establishment of similar credit unions in local and state groups. The savings and lending functions of credit unions and the related insurance programs available for savings and loans through the CUNA Mutual Insurance Society will be fully explained. A demonstration using members will illustrate the functioning of each important phase of credit union operation. The cooperating organizations will furnish the experts. Plans for producing credit union information in braille and on tapes will be discussed. It is anticipated that the Council will continue its direct promotional interest in credit unions to the extent of the demand for this service. On Sunday afternoon the Council will hear presentations of the purposes and functions of organizations and agencies engaged in activities affecting blind persons. It is expected that this session will point up the areas of common and differing objectives. The occasion. also will acquaint the older groups with the objectives of the Council. The Sunday noon luncheon for State leaders will afford an opportunity for expressions pointing up what State organizations would like and find acceptable in a national organization of the blind. The convention banquet will feature a citation to Congressman Frank M. Karsten given in recognition of his effective work for the permanent qualification of Missouri and Pennsylvania to receive Federal funds for aid to the blind while retaining their unique pension laws. The Council gave support to this feature of pending legislation by special request. The principal speaker at the banquet will be Mr. Nelson Cruikshank, Director, Department of Social Security, AFL-CIO, Washington, D.C. He is an authority on legislation in this field. The Council is pleased to have this distinguished representative from organized labor speak at its first convention and looks forward to active cooperation on subjects of common interest. * Committee and Convention Sessions Subject only to rules established by the convention itself, committee and convention proceedings will be open to all interested persons. A registration fee of one dollar will be charged. Committee sessions necessarily will be announced as the need arises. All members of the Council in attendance will be assigned committee work or other duties connected with the convention. All standing committees of the organization will serve as special sub-committees of the resolutions committee and will work in conjunction with the latter. * Charter Memberships Charter memberships are available on the payment of $5 up to the time of the convening of the first session on July 14. Payment should be made to the Treasurer, Reese Robrahn, whose address is 210 Crawford Building, Topeka, Kansas. * Convention Host -- Hospitality and Recreation As previously announced, R.I.T.E., a progressive local organization in St. Louis, is serving as host to the convention. R.I.T.E. will maintain a headquarters and a hospitality room which will open at appropriate times for the convenience and pleasure of conventioneers. The Saturday evening dance is a part of this entertainment. Complimentary tickets to the St. Louis opera will be available for Monday evening, July 16, after the close of the convention. This is an outdoor theatre with the largest revolving stages in the world. The presentation is a comedy, "Bye Bye Birdie." * Convention Hotel The convention will be held at the Pick Mark Twain, at 8th and Pine in St. Louis, Missouri. Located in downtown St. Louis, the Mark Twain is within walking distance of department stores, theaters, and other attractions. This completely air-conditioned hotel has very reasonable rates, as follows: single rooms, $6.50; rooms with double beds, $8.50; twin beds, $9.50; two-room suite (bedroom and sitting room), $13.00. Upon request a rollaway bed will be placed in a room at an additional charge of $3.00 per night. Those who travel by bus or train will appreciate the low cab fare (less than $1.00) from the station to the hotel. In making reservations, write directly to the Pick Mark Twain and send a copy to Alma Murphey, the Convention Arrangements Chairman, at 4103 Castleman Avenue, St. Louis. ***** *** NFB Expulsions -- As the States See Them (Editor's Note: The following reports are included for their news value and for the information of our readers. The American Council of the Blind deplores all such disruptive and divisive tactics, especially the intention of the National Federation of the Blind to cause further dissension within state organizations -- as evidenced by the resolutions below. We sincerely hope that the clear-thinking, intelligent leaders of the organized blind movement will be able to bring about an end to factional strife.) ***** ** From Ohio (From Ohio Council of the Blind Bulletin No. 1305 -- issued by Clyde Ross, OCB president and member of the NFB executive committee) Many requests have come to me about what happened at the Nov. 11, 1961, National Federation of the Blind Executive Committee meeting. The 16th of Jan., I received the minutes of the above meeting. You will recall that, Nov. 11th, I was not traveling. I was the only NFB Executive Committee Member absent. This means that twelve people were there. I will give you a synopsis of the minutes, with quotes on the resolutions. The NFB budget for 1962 is estimated at $60,000.00, with a reserve of $15,000.00. The estimated resources are $60,000.00, with an estimated income of $15,000.00. Disbursements and income total $75,000.00 each. There will be no regular spring Executive Committee meeting, due to the lack of funds. The next item on the agenda concerns the status of affiliates under the July 7, 1961, Executive Committee resolution. NFB Secretary Russell Kletzing of California moved the adoption of the following resolution: "WHEREAS, pursuant to this resolution, letters were sent to the following affiliates, to wit: California Florida Georgia Illinois Kansas Maryland Missouri New York North Carolina North Dakota Oklahoma Oregon South Dakota Tennessee Utah Vermont Wisconsin, and "WHEREAS, California and Vermont have complied fully with the Affiliate Standards, and have retained their charter, and "WHEREAS, a dissident group in Vermont is endeavoring to obtain the name and funds of the Vermont Council of the Blind, and "WHEREAS, Utah has demonstrated that it is not in violation of the Affiliate Standards and has therefore shown good cause to this Executive Committee why its charter should be retained, and "WHEREAS, Florida, Kansas, South Dakota and Tennessee have withdrawn from the Federation and surrendered their charters, and "WHEREAS, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon and Wisconsin have failed or refused to comply with the Affiliate Standards as implemented by the Executive Committee and have thereby forfeited their charters, and "WHEREAS, the North Dakota State Federation of the Blind has applied for affiliation with the National Federation of the Blind, now, therefore "BE IT RESOLVED that the North Dakota State Federation of the Blind is admitted as a National Federation of the Blind affiliate of that state; and "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that immediate steps be taken to organize affiliates in the states which do not have National Federation of the Blind affiliates, including those listed above, that have surrendered or forfeited their charters, and "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Federation of the Blind render all feasible assistance to the Vermont Council of the Blind in its endeavor to prevent a dissident group from obtaining its funds and its name." The resolution was simultaneously seconded by NFB Treasurer Franklin Van Vliet of New Hampshire and T.F. Moody of Texas. During the discussion the point was made that the assistance offered by the National Executive Committee is designed to eliminate organizational and financial problems in Vermont. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 10 to 2. ***** ** Special Hearing for New York Dominick DeJohn and Tony Cimino, President elect and Vice-President elect of the Empire State Association of the Blind of New York, appeared before the NFB Executive Committee. Their organization objected to Conditions Four and Six of the new affiliate standards. They asked for time to find a solution to their problem. The NFB Executive Committee approved the resolution: "That no action be taken by the National Federation of the Blind to organize a new affiliate in New York until the Empire State Association of the Blind has a reasonable time within which to seek readmission based upon compliance with the Affiliate Standards." * NFB 1962 Convention The following resolution was adopted in reference to the 1962 NFB Convention: "BE IT RESOLVED that the President be authorized to establish the agenda for the Convention." The next resolution adopted is as follows: "BE IT RESOLVED that the President take action to establish a fund­raising campaign." The 1962 NFB Convention will be in Detroit, Michigan, Wednesday through Saturday, July 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th. It will be at the Statler-Hilton Hotel. ***** ** More About New York (Editor's Note: The following is a further quote from Minutes, NFB Executive Committee, November 11, 1961.) "To solve the problem of the Empire State Association of the Blind affiliation, the following resolution was passed unanimously: "WHEREAS the Empire State Association of the Blind was notified pursuant to the direction of this Executive Committee as to the steps which must be taken to comply with the affiliate standards; and "WHEREAS a convention of the Empire State Association of the Blind has not adopted the affiliate standards and has therefore forfeited its charter; and "WHEREAS the Empire State Association of the Blind has the potential for becoming a Federation affiliate again, "NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Executive Committee of the National Federation of the Blind that no action be taken by the National Federation of the Blind to organize a new affiliate in New York until the Empire State Association of the Blind has a reasonable time within which to seek re-admission based upon compliance with the affiliate standards." At a meeting held January 27, 1962, the Board of Directors of the Empire State Association of the Blind (New York) decided, by a vote of 12 to 4, against calling a spring convention to reconsider the new NFB affiliate standards. The regular annual convention of this organization held in September, 1961, has already rejected these standards. ***** ** From Missouri (Editor's Note: The following is excerpted from the annual report to the Missouri Federation of the Blind during its October 1961 convention by president Alma Murphey.) "Let us examine Missouri's role in the National Federation of the Blind ... Our people helped to found the National Federation, helped to finance it, helped to fight its legislative battles and, for two full years, helped to oppose those who advocated reforms. But when its leaders launched their appalling rule-or-ruin campaign ... we joined the movement to save the National Federation from self-destruction. Missouri was one of the seven charter members of the NFB. (The others are: California, Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. California was the only charter member that voted to adopt the additions to affiliate standards at the Kansas City convention.) Over the years, the national organization has received considerably more than twenty thousand dollars from our White Cane Week funds and other sources. We have always supported NFB-sponsored Federal legislation, and even I -- a person whom you have been ordered to expel -- was commended by Dr. tenBroek for my oral testimony at two Congressional hearings (one on the Curtis Bill, the other on the Right to Organize). ... "The Missouri Federation can survive and accomplish great good without the NFB. ... After all the States which rejected the conditions surrender their charters, the National Federation cannot hope to recover from its self-inflicted wound. It may be able to claim some thirty-odd affiliates, but most of them are too small or too poorly organized to serve any useful purpose, except to furnish the administration with a vote at conventions. ... The internal troubles of the NFB will not end with the current purge. Freedom loving people are allergic to the brand of 'unity and stability' favored by NFB leaders. ..." ***** ** From North Dakota (Editor's Note: The following are condensed excerpts from the report of president Darrell Kline printed in the North Dakota Association magazine, the Promoter.) "Immediately after the National Convention, the executive board of this Association and your president were placed in a difficult position. A mandate from this membership had been ignored and violated by a member of this Association. We reviewed the bylaws and felt that we were obliged to hold a hearing to determine whether the unauthorized delegate to the National Federation Convention should be expelled or suspended from our Association. "We gave that person proper notice of the hearing which was held on August 5, 1961 at 8 p.m. at the Graver Hotel in Fargo; Dr. Bjornseth was invited to attend and be heard. He failed to attend and was indefinitely suspended by a four-to-one vote of the executive board. He was immediately notified of his indefinite suspension and advised of his rights under the bylaws of your Association. "The next event occurred when we heard from the National Federation ordering us to reinstate Dr. Bjornseth, pay his expenses to the National Convention, and expel Mr. George Card from our Association. We immediately advised the National Federation that we had some obligations to our own membership and that the suspension of Dr. Bjornseth had been done in accordance with our constitution. ... "We questioned how the National Federation could legitimately refuse to seat our delegate when a board member and the president of our Association had vouched for his credentials at the National Convention, besides the reading of telegrams from the secretary, another board member, and an election judge and other members of our Association attesting to the same fact. We reminded the National Federation that this Association always had the right to choose a delegate to the National Convention by a majority vote. Their final excuse for not seating our delegate was out-of-state votes, which of course is asinine and only a supposition as the ballot was secret. ... "We respectfully requested that the National Federation delay any action on this until our regular June 1962 convention. ... We had no reply to our request until we received a letter from Russell Kletzing saying we were expelled. This letter came five days before the National Federation meeting of the executive board at Des Moines, Iowa. This leads one to wonder who makes the decisions, the executive board or Mr. Kletzing. ..." **From California (From ABC DIGEST California: By Juliet Bindt, president of the Associated Blind of California and one of the directors of the American Council of the Blind.) At its November 11, 1961, meeting in Oakland, California, the East Bay Club of Blind Women may have attained the doubtful honor of being the first organization to expel members in order to conform with the NFB's affiliate standards. At its September meeting, this same organization had voted by secret ballot, 13 to 5, to reject these same affiliate standards and had instructed its delegate to the California Council of the Blind to vote against them at the October 20, 1961, convention. But in November, after reinstating three inactive members (one of whom did not attend) and a roll call vote that intimidated some, the Club voted 11 to 8 to remain with the California Council of the Blind. Members understood that this meant that all members of the Associated Blind of California and of the American Council of the Blind would be expelled from the Club. These included the two immediate past presidents and the current corresponding secretary. Some felt aggrieved that I, as ABC State President and a member of this Club, refused to give them a list of ABC members. But they felt sure that they could be expelled. They were able to name five Club members who acknowledged ABC membership. It might be well to explain that these ABC members had wanted to remain in the East Bay Club of Blind Women, and had accepted various Club responsibilities, because this Club is also affiliated with the General Federation of Women's Clubs and they wished to continue this association. It was pointed out that if this Club were no longer in the California Council, it could concentrate on Federation of Women's Club activities and that individual members could join the local affiliate of whichever statewide organization for the blind that she preferred. ***** ** Stalemate in Vermont (By Alaric G. Nichols, president of the Vermont Council of the Blind and an ACB Director) At the November 11, 1961, meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) it was erroneously reported that Vermont had complied with the ultimatum to the Vermont Council of the Blind, Inc., (VCB) from Russell Kletzing, the NFB Secretary. Both Kletzing and John Taylor, NFB President, knew that this was not the truth, for I have never been legally expelled from the VCB. Permit me to relate the facts to you in their chronological order. In July, 1961, three weeks after the Kansas City convention of NFB, I called a meeting of the Board of Directors of the VCB. At this meeting I read a new "conditions" for NFB affiliation and stated that I had accepted a position on the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind. Edward Burgoyne, our First Vice-President and Taylor's father-in-law, stated that he was not willing to give up his freedom and submit to these "conditions." Burgoyne made the motion that, due to the uncertainty of the future of NFB, we not send any of our White Cane Week receipts to NFB. This motion passed by a unanimous vote. Early in August I received a "poison pen" letter from Kletzing stating that if the VCB was to remain a member of NFB I must be expelled from membership by either "a regular or special convention" before November 1. (Our regular convention was scheduled for October, almost three weeks before the deadline for compliance with the ultimatum.) About 10: 30 P.M., Thursday, August 24, I received a phone call from Burgoyne informing me that there would be a Board of Directors meeting at his home in Burlington at 3 P.M., Saturday, August 26. He further stated that my expulsion was to be considered. I was being invited to attend as a matter of courtesy although I would not be allowed to say a single word. He said that the meeting would be presided over by a person who had no interest in the case whatsoever. When I reminded him that the ultimatum stated that the matter was to be considered by either a "special or regular convention," he said that he had been on the phone with Taylor that very night and that Taylor said the matter was too urgent to wait for a "special or regular convention." Burgoyne stated that Taylor told him he could act if four persons showed up for the meeting. In Vermont we have ten members on the Board of Directors, and a majority of the members must be present to constitute a quorum. I told Burgoyne that I had to work Saturday morning and that I had a previous commitment here in Bellows Falls that afternoon. (Burlington is some 125 miles from my home.) The meeting was held. The presiding person who had "no interest in the case" turned out to be Franklin Van Vliet, Treasurer of NFB and a resident of New Hampshire. The lady attending the meeting from the Montpelier Chapter was not its legally elected member of the Board of Directors. The gentleman attending the meeting to represent the Burlington Chapter was not even a member of the organization. Although six Directors are required to call a meeting in lieu of the President, all but three of the nine people present later signed affidavits that they had not requested the meeting. Burgoyne had called the meeting without any authority at all. He did, however, have Taylor's backing all the way. Immediately after the Burlington meeting there was an exchange of correspondence, and, for a man who hasn't written very much for more than 45 years, Burgoyne writes remarkably well. At times his style is very much like that of Van Vliet, and at other times like that of Taylor. Very few people have the ability to duplicate other people's style of writing so consistently. Meanwhile, Burgoyne appointed his wife, Eva, to act as Secretary-Treasurer. This information was relayed by him to the bank where our funds are deposited, causing confusion there. As a result, our account was frozen. Needless to say, the general membership of the VCB chose to ignore the Burlington meeting, and the regular convention was held in Montpelier on October 7 as planned. The Burgoynes stayed home. Money to defray the expenses of the convention was obtained elsewhere. We had a very nice convention. All action taken at the August 26 fiasco was repudiated; the VCB withdrew from NFB; a committee was authorized to rewrite our Constitution to conform to our present thinking. The motion to disaffiliate from NFB was sent verbatim to Kletzing with a copy to Taylor o Officers were elected to serve for the ensuing two-year period. Burgoyne was nominated for nothing. The bank still would not release our funds. Early in January of this year a petition for declaratory judgment was filed in Rutland County Court of Chancery. The case is still pending. Burgoyne, through his attorneys, is now asking for a special convention of the VCB to straighten out the mess. Negotiations are now in the feeling out stage. If there is an affiliate of NFB in Vermont, it consists of three members as far as we can ascertain. Only one is blind. The Vermont Council of the Blind, Inc., is an organization of Vermonters for Vermonters. We shall remain that way! ***** (from ABC Digest - continued from page 14) The willingness to accomplish their ends regardless of parliamentary law or their own Club's constitution provides that membership is open "... to any interested woman. ...". The five expelled were "interested." The President attempted to say that members were just being "suspended until they relinquished ABC membership," but finally it was agreed that "suspension" was not enough to conform. It was pointed out that the California Council of the Blind could no longer claim to be the only statewide organization for the blind that is open "to any blind person." I believe that the strategists had hoped that "suspension" would entitle them to continue this claim. * From Pennsylvania (From "On the Carpet," in WE THE BLIND, Published by the Pennsylvania Federation of the Blind) An interview with Frank Lugiano, State President, PFB the following questions were submitted to President Lugiano by Joy Day, Roving Reporter for WE THE BLIND, concerning the November 11, 1961, meeting at Des Moines, Iowa, of the Executive Committee of the National Federation of the Blind. Question: First of all, why was the meeting called? Answer: The meeting was called to plan the future of the NFB and find ways and means of strengthening ito Question: Were all the members in attendance, or was there not enough excitement generated? Answer: Yes, everyone was in attendance except Clyde Ross, who was recovering from surgery, and I wish you had been there, Joy, Day, because I could never put into words that which would describe adequately what happened. Question: Was the discussion hampered in any way by one-sided opinion or dictatorship? What were the results? Answer: There was no attempt at dictatorship. John Taylor NFB President did his best to maintain order -- but with little success with regards to the morning session. This session erupted violently when your State President objected to the Vermont Resolution which gave the NFB the right to go into any State and organize NFB affiliates. I felt this was not just -- that it would only serve to aggravate the situation, I further stated that, if the "Architects" who brought about the disgraceful situation in the ORGANIZED movement had spent their time in trying to heal the breach instead of bringing it to its destruction, we might be united today. With George Burck of New Jersey and me, a small minority hopelessly outvoted by the "trained seals," the argument waxed hot and furious to a new pitch, in that your State President was threatened with physical violence and to be dragged into the hall to finish the beating if I didn't shut up and stop accusing the NFB for the present plight in which we find ourselves. I remained standing trying to have my words heard while this uncouth Texas mustang, (T.F. Moody) continued to shout me down in spite of our host, and NFB President (Taylor) tried to silence this ill-bred imp with no respect for parliamentary procedure, let alone embarrassment to our host. I said I was ready to go out in the hall any time he was, but he remained seated. Another creature made itself heard, this time from the State of Connecticut. (William Hogan) reminiscent of a Lower East Side, small town, two-bit, cheap politician. Also shouting about the vacant chair in our midst. It sure was a terrible let-down in view of this barroom brawl type of behavior by these two, and to think it was Armistice Day where so many of our boys lost their lives to preserve freedom of speech. The National Executive Committee has surely struck a new low. The others did not support George Burck and me, but at least I can say that they did not try to prevent our speaking. Finally, "Where do we go from here?" Frankly, I don't know; God only knows. I only hope that all the blind who were at the Kansas City convention will show up in Detroit and express their opinions, and demand unity and vote their conscience; we may not have another chance. "Sandy" (Sandford E.) Allerton and his Michigan organization deserve our support, and we must not let them down. They have made commitments, and if we fail them, it will be a terrible reflection on the blind. Would you say, Joy Day, that there was enough excitement generated? Nothing was accomplished, I don't think, except to say that when the blind shout about being given their rights as a minority, they better think of how they themselves are bitterly attacking and denying their own blind minorities and unless our National President takes the bull by the horns and retraces some of these steps and throws off the yoke of his "Architects" who are behind the scenes, the future of the NFB is dark. ** From Other States * Indiana The Indiana Council of the Blind held its annual convention on October 7 -8 and accepted the six new conditions for affiliation with the National Federation of the Blind by the narrowest possible vote -- four chapters to three. Ray J. Dinsmore, 131 East 10th St., Indianapolis, was elected President. * New Jersey On the same weekend the New Jersey affiliate of the NFB re-elected George E. Burck as its President and took no action with respect to the NFB conditions. * Oregon And still another October 7th convention met in Oregon. The Oregon Council of the Blind rejected the NFB conditions and refused to expel George Howeiler by a unanimous vote! Ron Warner was re-elected President. * Kansas and South Dakota An October 14th convention was that of the Kansas Association for the Blind, This organization voted unanimously to disaffiliate from the NFB. The South Dakota Association of the Blind holds its conventions in June but on October 14 its Board of Directors voted, without a dissenting voice, to return its charter to the NFB. Thus Kansas and South Dakota became the fifth and sixth states since to surrender their charters and with draw from the NFB. * Illinois The following weekend the Illinois Federation of the Blind held its convention in Springfield. This convention voted unanimously to reject the NFB conditions and by the same vote refused to expel anybody. Robert McMullen, 2048 West 69th St., Chicago, was elected President and Victor Buttram, of Peoria, First Vice-President. Robert "Bob" O'Shaughnessy, who had served as President for six years, was not a candidate for re-election. He said: "When I began my first term, I was a young man. Now I am very old -- 30 years, to be exact -- and age must give way to youth." * Massachusetts News Notes Another October convention, that of the Associated Blind of Massachusetts, elected Manuel Rubin, 24 Pearl St., East Bridgewater, as its President, The officer personnel is the same as before but the individual officers have changed places. * California News Notes At its October 21-23 convention, Russell Kletzing, who is still Secretary of the National Federation of the Blind, announced his resignation as President of the California Council of the Blind, effective January 1, 1962. James McGinnis, 16146 Van Owen Blvd., Van Nuys, was elected as his successor. Since the first of the year, the address of the new Council office has been 16048 Van Owen St., Suite 7, Van Nuys. * Alabama News Notes The Alabama Federation of the Blind also met in October. Its president, Mrs. Gordon Hardenbergh, maneuvered the suspension of the Mobile Chapter. At a called meeting several days later, the Mobile Chapter disaffiliated. ***** ** Three Editions of the Braille Forum This magazine is published in braille, print, and on tape. June Goldsmith, 652 East Mallory Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee, is the Circulation secretary. All requests for inclusion of names on any mailing list for one of the three editions should be sent directly to her. The tape edition is provided on a circulating loan basis through Tape Library for the Blind, Atlanta, Georgia, through the generosity and interest of Mr. Melvin D. Cohen. Braille copies are sent regularly to the circulating libraries. Copies of the other editions also will be provided in the same manner when the demand justifies it. Readers not wishing to keep braille or ink print copies may return them to the Circulation Secretary to permit their use for new readers. Braille copies can be mailed as free reading matter for the blind. A reader who is not interested in receiving the magazine may write the word "Refused" on the outside. The magazine will be returned to the sender and the reader's name will be removed from the mailing list. Persons wishing to remain on the braille list should send in the special card which appeared with the braille edition of the April issue. ***** *** American Council of the Blind ** Officers * President: Ned Freeman Route 3 Conyers, Georgia * First Vice-President: Dean Sumner 1187 Mayfair Drive Watertown, South Dakota * Second Vice-President: David Krause 4628 Livingston Road Washington, D.C. * Secretary: Mrs. Alma Murphey 4103 Castleman Avenue St. Louis, Missouri * Treasurer: Reese Robrahn 210 Crawford Building Topeka, Kansas ** Directors Mrs. Juliet Bindt 2709 Derby Street Berkeley, California Mrs. Marie M. Boring 1113 Camden Avenue Durham, North Carolina George Card 605 South Few Street Madison, Wisconsin A.H. Drake Duval Hotel Tallahassee, Florida Mrs. Mary Jane Hills 74 Falstaff Road Rochester 9, New York Durward McDaniel 305 Midwest Building Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Alaric G. Nichols 30 Henry Street Bellows Falls, Vermont F. Winfield Orrell 5209 Alabama Avenue Chattanooga, Tennessee ###