Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-05-31
THE MODE OF KILLING DOGS.
Mayor ShortlidRe Recommends the
Philadelphia Plan.


humane Feelings Suggest Change The
Mayor Communicates with city Council
-lhe Case of eS'Eusineer Layman.
In an address at Thursdays session of
City Council Mayor Shortlidge suE-
gested the adoption Of more humane
way Of killing dogs. The method fol-
lowed in this city, he said, was adopted
IN ls65. lie recommended the plan
which has been in vogue in Philadel-
phia since 1874. He had corresponded
with the mayors of large cities and had
come to the conclusion that Phiadcl.
phia has one OF the best systems in the
country. Other cities have adopted it,
among them Cincinnati, whose mavor
had written him that he is greatly
pleased with it. In Philadelphia dogs
are exterminated by means of carbonic
acid. The exterminator is II feet long,
feet wide and 2 feet inches high.
The gas is generated by burning char.
coal in a small stove. The dogs do not
seem to suffer at all. They are put in
the exterminator one at time and only
minute is required To kill dog. Il
seemed TO him very humane and mex
pensiye way Of getting rid of dogs. The
exterminator is cemented and perfectly
alright. The stove is egg.shape and in
expensive. Last year more than 1000
dogs were killed in Philadelphia and
the charcoal bill was only about $50.
For persons the gas is harmless hut per.
sons should he careful not to inhale too
much of il. He thought tits high time for
change in the matter OF catching dogs
in this city, He did not think one dog
catcher is sufficient, There ought to be
a dogcatcher for the east side of town
and one for the west eide. He had
thought Of appointing an extra dog
catcher July LIST. The present cost OF
catching dogs here is $3.50 per month.
Last years registration amounted to
$1,000. This sum would amply pay
for killing dogs here in the manner they
are killed in Philadelphia The dog tax
in Philadelphia is turned over to the
Society for the Prevention Of Cruelty
to Animals. He thought II would be
wise for Wilmington to initiate Phila-
delphia in that respect. 1t would show
great magnanimity on his part to give
up his only appointment, he continued,
but he was willing, for the sake OF
humanity, to waive his privilege and
turn the matter over to the Society for
the Prevention of Cruelty TO Animals.
He hoped Council would take some
action; that it would appoint special
committee to consider his proposition.
An eXterminator could be erected ad.
joining the garbage crematory. Lets
see,' he said in conclusion, "if we cam
not keep up with the times in this
matter as we'll as in other things"
Messrs. Wainwright, Tyre and Meaney
were appointed committee to consider
the matter.
Messrs. Stats and Wainwright, part
of the committee appointed to invest.
gate the discharge Of Philip L. Layman
from his position at the garbage crema-
tory, reported that they had had u con-
ference with the Board of Health and
the board had explained that it had not
reelected him because it considered him
Incompetent and untrustworthy. Messrs.
Stats and Wainwright disagreed with
the board for the following reasons:
First-Council, in selecting a superin.
tendent. considered the qualifications Of
the applicant very closely and Mr.. Layman
furnished as good recommendation as
could be obtained.
Second-Mr. Layman has had more than
30 years experience in running both
stationary ana marine engines and, there
fore, is competent to fill the position of
superintendent at the crematory.
rhird-People who have employed Mr..
Laynlan for years speak in the highest
terms of his character and trustworthiness.
Fourth-We believe there has been
undue influence brought to bear on the
members of the Board Of Health in the
removal Of men from the crematory; we
believe their removal was unwarranted
and brought about BY prejudice.
The report was orderei received and
filed. Mr.. McNulty, the other member
of the committee, did not attend the
conference. lie had supposed that
Messrs. Stats and Wainwright would
first go to the Council chamber but in
stead they went direct to the health de.
partment.
City Treasurer Adams reported a bal.
ance Of $3l ,2S2.l3 in Union National
Bank to the credit of the city's current
expenses. He also reported the follow.
ing receipts From Collector Mitchell,
$500, city and school taxes for 1899;
from Mayor Shortlidge, 500, show
license; from Collector Sayers, $3.50.
city and school taxes for 1902, and
$500, similar taxes for 1893.
The Board of Education was allowed