DEAF MUTES’ DEMONSTRATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1923, Page 4

DEAF MUTES’ DEMONSTRATION.

SAN FRANCISCO. Aug. 21. Feeling music through their skins, twenty deal mutes Ilia relied at the lo ad of one of tile most usual parades ever held in the United States. The panic, which was arranged in Atlanta Georgia, was part of an educational programme of 2999 deal mutes gathered from ail parts of the country for a national convention probably the only convention at which not a word was spoken, even at the banquet. First in the parade went the band, playing in perfect time though every member was stone deaf. Next, passed ilie automobiles driven by deaf drivers who later went through the traffic, never mistaking traffic signals, never scenting in the least handicapped because sensitised nerves next to the skin served for their ears. At the close of the parade there were dances by deaf persons, who kept in perfect step to music they could not hear. The deaf baud, composed of students front the Tennessee School lor the Deaf at Knoxville, was led by the drummer in charge of a large bass drum. While none of the twenty members in the band run hear Die slightest sound, they contended that the impact ol Du 1 waves of air. each time the drum was struck, enabled them to keep exact time. Deaf darners are taught ryihm through the regularity of the beat of their pulses, and the music is timed eceorditigly. it was stated.