New-York tribune., 1905-01-26
RIVAL OF S. P. c. A.
Henry Bergb Society disks for Legal
Right to Protect AnimoLS.

Senator Armstrong introduced into the legis-
isture 81 Albany yesterday a biIl TO permit the
Henry Bergh Humane Society 20 provide effective
means 1o- the prevention OF cruelty 10 animals.
u passed. this biu VIII legalze the society in
whose behalf it had been put forward. enabling st
NJ once 70 begin practical work for the prevention
OF cruelty 20 animals IN this city.
That Il has not been IN 8 position TO do so be-
fore Is dus 70 The fact that the Society for the
Preve1ton OF Cruelty 10 Animals OF which John
Haynes is president Is at present the only agency
legally empowered 10 carry relief work among
the animals OF New-York City.
The Henry Bergh society had no sooner become
an entity than It at onoe encountered the opposi-
ton o: the older society, the ground that the
newcomer had no legal right TO operate. BY the
advice of counsel the Henry Bergh society con-
cluaed Ike Bre'r Rabbit 10 LAY low and SAY
uufan" until the legislature convened at Albany,
and then 20 en6eavor 20 obtain the legal right TO
act n pursuance OF this policy the bill empower
ing Il 10 provide effective means for the Pre-
venton OF cruelty 20 Hni-nals' WAS introduced by
Senator Armstrong.
The legal right 20 exercise humanity when we
rec ft-that Is the purpose OF this BILL" said
David BelaIss the president OF the Henry Bergh
society. I'VE believe that the legal right 70 have
such society should not be restricted Every
-lon OF the city should have such g society, with
women IN it well men"
Asked II he believed President Haynes would offer
any organized opposition at Albany 20 the new
Ill., AIr. Belsis replied:
on what grounds could II be opposed? We be-
Lsye there Is q great 6sal TO be done IN New-YoTk
1or the protection OF animals. The daily papers
have contained succession OF reports OF great
cruelty 10 animals. think il was IN The Tribune
read not long ago of horse being left for eight
hours the bridge.
We don't claim the Society for the Prevention OF
Cruelty 70 Animals is derelct only that there IS
more than & can Go. Il says itself. There IS
immense territory Il has 10 cover-an immense
territory. It cannot cover al OF it
We have Introduced this bill 10 give Us the legal
right 10 combine society Tor the protection of
EniaIls. Private individuals already doing it.
but must have the law behind one
What want is the right OF any American citI-
zen 10 exercise humanity II he is inclined, and
10 exercise It legally"
Ludwig Nissen- the treasurer Of the Henry Bergh
society who IS said 10 have been the particular
butt o. Mr. Haynes's Rnirnadversions regarding
the new society, the ground that he had never
contributed anything TO the old one said speak
ing Of the bill
80 Ear as am personally concerned, know
nothing 70 the truth Of the criticisms that have
been made OF the Society for the Prevention OF
Cruelty TO Animals. But Go know that IN many
Instances that have come under my own observa-
ton. the work of preventing cruelty 10 animals
cannot always have been efficient
IN asking the legislature 20 permit the
society provide effective means for preventing
cruelty 70 animals take the ground simply that
there is no reason why monopoly 70 do good
should be restricted 10 enjoyed By a single So
ciety.
so far as know, every county in the State has
some such society yet this Society for the Preven-
tss the right 10 operate IN greater NeW-EOrk,
which IS composed OF five counties We think the
more societies OF that kind permitted 70 operate
-lAleT Jle laws 10 prevent cruelty, the more each
organization viii be put on its mette."
.. Alr. Alssen declined 10 say whether fight over
The OIL was expected
~ - ne old society ooss strenuously oppose IT,
1e SAID that would seem 70 be the very best rea-
eel ~ The world Tor the creation OF new sOci-
ts II the ;. p 6. A is being conducted simply in
l-e interests of dumb animals Il should welcome
. Lllcl help as II could get
NY position is simply that Of lover OF animals.
&c while Will admit that never contributed TO
sAe Work OF the S. P {. A., that should not debar
-.s rom trying 20 90 the same thing u IS doing
ne E1eury Bsrgh Humane Society was organized
"a response 20 letters which were printed in the
~ press last March Mr. Belais wrote TO one Of
Sspers, saying he would organize society for
- -S-lsllLGflsn work among animals II enough peo-
sSs were interested. The organization now has
MI eighty members men and women II. 3.
sslfer is the secretary; John c. Coleman, counsel
~ me West End Association, IS counsel. The
-tligs are held IN the Navarro
III belais denied that the bill proposed Civ
ts 1y portion OF the subscriptions. contributions
-liIolr1aIluns which the :. =. q. A now en-
~ % the Henry BeTgh Humane Society
-. wtet we want Is the right to work once we
mat We stand own feet
Iessage OF the bin. ne declined to express himself
- - to tne Likelihood Of its passing Il was very
tosA Eieasec' he said IN this connection, to see
-.et Alr Haynes, in his speech al the annual
IN nae done 2 per cent more work thlssyear than
- =. PREVIOUS years. I pleased 10 see that inc
i--<llon ot our society had given him such an
.i..Pelus X shows that we need 70 have cOinpe-
..ttllOL. even IN the humane field. Whether We get
s .s 1.ll through or not. we shall have done some