The course of study in the Kendall School remained the same as during the year before. Special attention, however, has been given to tone and rhythm work, with some gratifying results. Near the close of the year the hearing of the children of the primary department was tested, and a number were selected for special aural instruction during the coming year.

NEEDS OF THE INSTITUTION

The granting by Congress of increased appropriations of $3,000 for 1925 for current expenses has made possible a small increase in the salaries of the more poorly paid employees. Rates of pay for our teachers are not yet what they should be in comparison with those paid in good schools for the deaf in this country.

The value of an additional typesetting machine has already been mentioned. The sum of $4,400 is needed for this.

For the past few years attention has been called to the need of an administration building for our institution. This building should contain a room for social gatherings, library, offices, and classrooms. Its erection would enable the authorities of the institution to accommodate a considerably larger number of young men in the present main dormitory of the college, which is used for young men's sleeping quarters, for recitation rooms for both young men and young women, for offices, and for a library, which must be used both by the young men and the young women of the college.

At a meeting of the Conference of Superintendents and Principals of American Schools for the Deaf, held at St. Augustine, Fla., during January, 1924, the institution was urged to enlarge its normal training department, which was established with the agreement of Congress in 1891. This department has trained each year a very limited number of young men and young women of high educational qualifications to become teachers of the deaf. Their services have been much in demand and they have finally taken high positions in our profession throughout the country. This class also has supplied a number of excellent teachers for the faculty of our institution. The demand for well-equipped teachers has for years been larger than the supply and has resulted in the taking into our profession of a number of young people who have not had extensive training. Our training class should consist of 8 or 10 young people instead of the 5 or 6 now usually training, and one member of our teaching force should be definitely assigned to the charge of this important work, with a commensurate salary.

CONFERENCE OF SUPERINTENDENTS AND PRINCIPALS OF AMERICAN SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF

A regular meeting of the Conference of Superintendents and Principals of American Schools for the Deaf was held at St. Augustine, Fla., from January 14 to 17, 1924. Over 30 executive heads of schools were present. The State school for the deaf and the blind at St. Augustine was open to the visits of the members of the conference, and they were delightfully entertained socially at the school.

A number of important topics were discussed at the meeting, among them pension plans for teachers, auricular training, supervi

sion of children out of school, a survey of schools for the deaf, and the obtaining of a sufficient supply of well-trained teachers. In this connection the Columbia Institution for the Deaf was urged to enlarge its normal training department. The conference unanimously urged upon the Columbia Institution for the Deaf the establishment of research work. A resolution was unanimously adopted by the conference urging a careful survey of schools for the deaf throughout the country in order to study and compare methods of instruction, equipment, and methods of management of the most important schools.

The president of the institution and Assistant Professor Fusfeld attended the meetings of the conference.

RESEARCH WORK AT THE COLUMBIA INSTITUTION FOR THE DEAF

During the year the National Research Council agreed to send to our institution during the coming school year Dr. Robert H. Gault, of Northwestern University, to conduct special investigations into the possibilities of understanding spoken sounds through the sense of touch. He is to be assisted in this work by Asst. Prof. Irving S. Fusfeld.

The National Research Council has also undertaken a survey of schools for the deaf to take place during the coming year and has appointed Prof. Herbert E. Day chief investigator and Asst. Prof. Irving S. Fusfeld assistant investigator. Leave of absence for the coming year has been granted Professor Day and leave of absence. for the time necessary to assist in the work has been granted Assistant Professor Fusfeld.

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION TO PROMOTE THE TEACHING OF SPEECH TO THE DEAF

An interesting and helpful meeting of the American Association to Promote the Teaching of Speech to the Deaf was held at the Institution for the Improved Instruction of Deaf Mutes in New York City from June 30 to July 5, 1924. The president of the institution and Miss Grace D. Coleman, in charge of speech work in the college department, were present at the meeting.

ALUMNI REUNION

The alumni of the college department accepted the invitation of the board of directors of the institution to hold an alumni reunion at the institution in June, 1924. Many of them drove themselves and families to Washington from distant points in their own automobiles. Nearly 200 graduates and ex-students were present at this reunion. The authorities of the college were urged to expand scientific instruction, to promote the use of English through the further employment of the manual alphabet, and were promised the increasing interest of the alumni in an effort to provide a memorial building in honor of Edward Miner Gallaudet, president of the institution for over 50 years.

An interesting feature of the alumni meeting was the awarding of honorary degrees as follows:

Doctor of Science

Cadwallader Washburn, well-known artist and author, whose etchings of Mexican and South Sea Island subjects have won high praise from very well-known art critics.

Isaac Goldberg, a successful chemist of Brooklyn, N. Y., inventor of a number of paints, perfumes, and toilet articles.

Master of Science

John Clark, successful civil engineer of Panguitch, Utah; formerly employed in the United States Forest Service and now an independent engineer, engaged in the construction of roads, dams, and other projects.

Thomas S. Marr, a well-known and successful architect of Nashville, Tenn., who has recently completed the building of the new State School for the Deaf at Knoxville.

Master of Arts

James M. Stewart, a successful principal and teacher in the Michigan School for the Deaf for over 30 years.