New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-03
MUCH GRAFT" HE SAYS
S. p. c. Il. Honeycombed, 1t Is De
cIared-Ne1o Society Meets.

The first public meeting of the recently organized
Henry Bergh Humane Society, to- work along the
same lines the American Society for the Proven
ton of Cruelty to Animals. was held last night in
the assembly of the Hotel Nevada Broadway
and Seventieth-st. One two persons sought 10
get under way at once fight against the Society
for the Prevention Of Cruelty to Animals and its
superintendent John 2. Haines
The plan of work of the new organization was
generally outlined by David Belais of No Al John
ST. the chairman. who said it was plain that the
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
had work 10 do which il did not perform. and that
the new society proposed TO do that work. 1t
no; intended he said, to combat the other society
He announced that the temporary treasurer
Ludwig Nissen. Of Brooklyn. Mr.. Nissen is
former Civil Service Commissioner and chairman
of the Brooklyn Citizens Union.
Mr.. Belais read a statement signed by a former
agent of the Society for the Prevention Of Cruelty
TO Animals. alleging that the organization was
'honeycombed with graft" The agent recited that
the agents OF the society not eXpected-in
fact. not permitted to do much work. The state
ment alleged that the agents spent much time in
saloons and poolrooms, and made it a practice
compare notes Of complaints investigated that
IL would appear that each did equal share of
work Mr. Belais declared that the ambulance for
the smaller animals supposed TO cover all of
New-York and was laid up for repairs most OF
the time.
The plan OF work for the new organization was
headed Down with John p. Haines's Humane
contests. illustrated lectures. drinking fountains.
etc.
Miss Belle de Rivera, first vice-president OF the
New-Tork City Federation of Women's Clubs was
present. letter from her to Mr.. Belais was
read saying that the federation had discussed the
proposed new society movement. and by unanimous
consent declared in its favor. Mrs. de Rivera was
appointed to represent the federation at the meet
Ing. with power 10 act. An experience she related,
alleging that she got practically no help-in fact
met with opposition-in causing the arrest and
prosecution OF brutal driver in a city court. which
ended, she said. IN the discharge of the accused
and in her being warned by agent Of the So
ciety for the Prevention of Cruelty 10 Animals not
10 NEEDLE with such complaints in future was
similar 10 experiences related by several others
present Ella Wheeler Wilcox among those
who told Of the obstacles in the way of persons
who sought to correct the abuse OF animals through
the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Ami
mails.
Mr.. Beais's declaration that new society could
not be Incorporated the for argument by
knowledge that the scope OF work had already
been outlined. Among these was +. d S Berthune
who said he was member OF thJ Society for the
Prevention Of Cruelty to Animals. and while he
did not agree with all that had been said. he did
think there was opportunity for work which the
old society did not perform. He advocated carry
ing the fight from the inside Of the old orgarii-
Haines. He described the directors as "a lot of
dummies, who would not listen to complaints
against their superintendent, because their faith
in him blind"