New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-16
S.P.C.A.MEETING GAGGED
Continued from FIRST page.
had had damaging effect by way of alternating
public confidence


In reply, HsskIns & Sells say:
As auditors of the books OF the society, we
may say that in examination no evidence
wac found of fraud or misapproprlauon on tne
part of officers or agents. that the ehtfles al
the books 70 which we called your attention
were the result OF errors in Judgment or cleEl-
cal mistakes: that the principal criticism OF
fered by US went TO the form of the accounting
and was not intended 10 imply inhdellty on the
part OF those in responsible positions
Mr.. opdycke thereupon obtained the privilege
Of the floor. He said in part:
This society is under fire. The financial man
agernent Is not adequately looked after by the
boerd Of managers There are ali sorts or
charges made against the society-that the
agents are incompetent, that the finances are
going astray. etc I personally am incompetent
70 pass judgment on these charges but have
been approached by numerous people III the last
six weeks asking for an explanation as 10 the
internal troubles in the society, but have been
unable 10 give any explanation Now l should
like 10 know something about 1t.
Mr. Bethune followed Mr.. opdycke with
specific charges OF !ncompetency in the financial
management Of the society.
At this stage Miss Irwin Martin introduced q
resolution that caused more trouble. 1t read;
move that no further presentation Of unfa-
vora BILE criticism or MISREPRESENTATION OF the
Society for the Prevention Of Cruelty to Animals
be given hearing by the chair at this meeting,
held February 10, 1906
In offering the resolution. Miss Martin said:
We have already heard too much about the
trouble in this society, and we have been brought
into disrepute by the evil tongue OF woman woman
who seems 10 delight in spreading these reports.
Let us hear no more Of IL. and stop this DEBATE
just where ii is
The, resolution evoked the applause Of the
Haines faction and the 3eers of the opposition.
A dozen persons clanored for recognition TO
debate what they called q gag law" Mr..
Coudert pounded with his gavel.
-k~- 49, Oo and "a
there was nothing personal in the feeling of the
members in bringing out certain facts, but they
are trying only 10 better the conditions Of the
society After some further debate the motion
was put and seemed lost Then, on a motion by
Nj Haines for division, vote was taken ana
the motion was carried, the mysterious twelve
just making this possible.
Are all the persons voting members or are
there some paid employees here?" asked Mrs.
Jones Bertrand T. Bell then demanded roll
call.
A typewriter LIST Of members was produced,
the roll called but the resolution was adopted
by a vote Of IS 10 IS Mrs Satterlee and Mrs.
Jones voted against 1t
In the midst OF the Juror that now prevailed
e motion was made 10 adjourn. Mr.. Opdycke
tried in vain 70 have the meeting adjourned,
but Mr. Couderr decided there could be no de-
bate on the motion. Mr.. Cpdycke appealed
from this decision
There was another division on the vote max
ing il necessary for those in favor OF the motion
10 stand on one side Of the room and those
opposed on the other. It was carried, 90 TO 4e.
Then il was that the members expressed their
indignation
NJ Haines the storm centre, remained calm.
His supporters congratulated him as though
he had won a great victory. He denied the
h bar al IA me
employees OF the society.
There were only mo present" he said. "or
perhaps three"
Later he sent for the payroll Of the society
and figured four Mr.. Iselin declared in Mr..
Haines's hearing that the meeting was packed
with nineteen employees. Among them were
drivers and hostlers. he said.
An open letter criticisIng Nj Haines was
issued from the home OF Mr. Wharton. He gave
& history Of the fight against Nj Haines out
lining the steps taken against him. II was
signed by Gordon Knox Bell. John H. Iselin.
Edward Wharton, Edith Wharton Mrs. Cad
Tvalader Jones. Marion Bell and Bertrand F.
Bel
Nessrs. Bell Wharton and Iselin issued a
statement giving the facts Of the meeting, in
Guiding. as they charged, the gagging and
packing
Mr. Bell then made personal statement. in
which he said:
The feeling Is one Of extreme disgust for the
mode Of procedure in the meeting. I arrived at
$40 2 m i is Alr. Hslnes's custom 10 call
The meeting promptly at I o'clock However, it
was 40 to-day when the meeting was called
IN The mean time I saw Mr. Haines greeting
men whom I had never before seen in my five
years experience in the society. and assigning
them 70 seats. Among them were yeterinaries
some who appeared 10 be hostlers and ex-special
officers Ct the society
I desire to state that Mr. Haines is not de-
sirabIe member Of the board He Is weak, I
know. and incompetent, 7 also know. He has
forfeited public respect, that / also know. There
Is only one thing that viii do the society any
good at present. that is. the resignation OF Mr..
Haines. Ever since 7 have been a member Of
the board ! have considered the resignation or
expulsion Of MI HaInes an absolute necessity.
M Iselin read the statement 10 reporters
and said he strongly indorsed it Nj Bell and
Mr.. Iselin said they would have something more
TO say later.