Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-22
HOLD MASS MEETING
Horse Owners Severely Score
the Humane Society.
UNFAIR METHODS CHARGED
Exciting Scene When President Snow
Defends His Organization.
JUDGES ARE ALSO CRITICISED
Officers Elected by Association and
Active Reform Campaign Projected
Question of Fines.
UNFAIR METHODS CHARGED
JUDGES ARE ALSO CRITICISED

in Masonic Hall, 9th and F streets, last
night, the washington Humane Society was
bitterly scored by the various speakers, and
charges were made that it's officers and
agents resort to exaggeration in their eff
forts to have horse owners convicted when
before the Police Court judges. The judges,
too, came in for share of criticism. DR..
c. Barnwell Robinson, the District veterina-
rian, said: It's high time to look for the
judges. We want men in their seats who
not only have knowledge, but intelligence"
More than 200 men were present, among
them being District Attorney Baker and
Justice Gould and a number of prominent
local merchants. The meeting was inter-
esting and exciting from the moment it
was called to order by A. S. Trundle, the
temporary chairman, until it adjourned,
three hours later.
Mr.. Robinson Interrupted.
At one time even serious trouble seemed
imminent DR.. Robinson was speaking and
he had just declared Experience has
proved that the Humane Society has drifted
from a good charitable society into a finan-
cial one, and instead of doing good toward
animals, it devotes it attention to perse-
cutting horse owners and to swelling Its
own Golfers. What sort of law is it that
allows a society to make the fines that are
converted to its own selfish use," when there
was an interruption from the center Of the
hall.
That statement is false" cried C. A.
Snow, president of the Humane Society.
The court makes the fine You should
confine your"
Mr.. Snow did not get further in his re-
marks because he was interrupted by shouts
of Throw him OUT and Kisses and yells
Mr.. Snow remained in the hall and quietly
listened to the accusations against his
society for a half hour or so, and then
o nrIa
Before he left the building Mr.. Snow was
asked by Star reporter if he would an
swer the charges, and he replied affirma-
lively. Il will make a full statement to-
morrow" he said Il will say right here
that many of the accusations made here to-
night have been false and uncalled for
Need for Organization Emphasized.
In opening the meeting Mr.. Trundle stated
that the time had come for the horse own
ers to organize. He said he has been adj
vised by the best legal authorities that no
law exists by which a humane officer can
arrest man and compel him to pay a
fine We are here tonight to form an Or
ganiZation not only to seek justice. but to
take steps to have the laws relating to this
society rectitied.
I'VE want honest humane officers; We
want men who are capable to judge horses,
such as veterinarians; we want the fines
that are paid to this society turned into
the District treasury and go to the people
OF Washington. When this is done we will
be glad to cooperate with the Humane
Society. No is more eager or willing
to treat horses kindly and in a humane
manner than horse owners. The methods
of the Humane Society are unjust. Such
an imposition could exist nowhere except
in a place where the people have no vote
or voice in making the laws"
Before the meeting adjourned the horse
men accomplished formal organization.
Charles Myers was elected president and
na1 for in W
has in court against the Humane Society,
was taken as a test case to be carried to
the highest courts If necessary. The pur-
pose is to restrict the Humane Society
field More than $500 was collected to for
ward the case. DR.. c. Barnwell Robinson
was elected vice president; B. F. Edwards,
secretary and treasurer. and the following
elected executive committee: D. w.
McGrath, E. H. Pugh, Arthur Moses, Ber-
nard Knox. Howard Wilkins A. NJ. Lo-
throp, Warner Stutler, Albert Carey, G. c.
Mueller, ]. H. Mitchell, S. F. Fraser, Sam
uel Bensinger, George P. Zurhorst and T.
w. Smith.
Legal Aspect of the Question.
Following the opening address of Mr..
Trundle, Charles Myers read paper pre-
pared by Hayden Johnson, attorney, CIV
ing views upon the legal aspect of the ques-
lions under discussion. Mr.. Johnson stated
the society has no power to arrest, but the
officers should furnish information to the
police In order to cause arrests.
B. F. Edwards said the Humane Society
instead of preventing cruelty to animals
frequently inflicts cruelty upon humans"
He cited a number of cases in which he
declared he had been imposed upon and con-
cluded by saying the Humane Society is a
disgrace to the community.
The continual persecution by the Humane
Society has driven me to study law" said
Carl c. Mueller Of 2621 18th street north
west. II have been in court many times be-
Qttcn of fhnc h.rr,r of but will
say the only time 1 was given a fair trial
was last week, when l collected enough
courage to act as my own counsel. The
great trouble with the society is that it's
agents or officers over dilligent and
they are lacking in intelligence. Their one
object seems to be to make good showing
and to swell the funds of the society to in
sure the payment of their salaries.
Among others who spoke were George ].
Mueller, George w. Knox and E. H. Pugh
President Shows Statement
Mr. c. A. Snow. president of the Humane
Society, today made a statement to a Star
reporter covering the charges made against
the society at the meeting. He said while
1t was the aim Of the society to be perfectly
fair in the conduct of all it's cases, there
was no favoritism shown either on account
OF the standing of any of the defendants
In the business and social community or
the fact that they had undertaken to fight
the society in court. He pointed out par
cutions against Mr.. Myers the president of
the Horse Owners Association, since. he
made his legal fight against the Humane
Society some years ago. He said also that
the meeting last night was made up largely
of horse owners who had been fined in
the Police Court for cruelty to animals.
Their stories as told before the meeting he
said, were given with very different effect
from those they told In court with the Judge
before them and witnesses against them.
Were not many of the largest horse
owners in the city present." Mr.. Snow was
asked.
Mot very many" he replied. IT could
mention a large number of horse owners
who were not there and some who treat
their horses so well that the agents of the
Humane Society scarcely know of them.
What do you think" he was asked, ''of
the suggestion of the vice president of the
Horse Owners Association that the horse
owners should join the Humane Society and
control Its elections?"
1--WE will welcome them" said he "Our
membership book is open to ALL The an
nual dues are 81, invariably in advance
We need members and money to increase
our detective force"
lis your force not now larger than ever
before?'
Yes" he said, three times as large as
ii was five years ago; but we have now