The Washington herald., 1908-07-18

Like mysterious meeting Of the old
time Ku-Klux EIlan in the unknown re-
cesses Of a fearful wood. fifteen trusty
men and true Of the southeast section Of
the city. gathered by ones and twOs and
threes in the shadows Of their chosen
rendezvous. a haIf-fnished store at the
corner Of Eleventh and 5 street south
corner of Eleventh and 5 streets south
east. last night 10 hold an indignation
meeting against the new District dog
muzzlc law.
Seated on boards. saw-horses. and nall
kegs, with the uncertain CLEANS Of a
lantern for the only light, and a carpen-
ter's bench for the press table. these de-
termined Cog owners ragged and stormed
about the injustice Of the law and the
inegauty Of the practice OF impounding
licensed dogs and then charging for their
redemption
This is the second meeting Of this pro
testing organization but Il will not con-
tinue as an entity in itself. as il was
voted last night 10 affiliate with the Dog
Owners Association, OF the northwest
section, an organization which has been
ir existence for several years.
Attorney Bradley on Hand.
T Edward Clark. a prominent lumber
merchant and president OF the old asso-
ciation. acted as chairman Of the meet
ing Thomas c. Bradley, attorney for Mr.
Clark and the association. was present
also for the purpose Of enlightening the
sOU'easters Of the points OF law involved
in the matter Of muzzIss-
The object Of the meeting was plainly
expressed by speeches from six or eight
Of those present They are protesting
against the muzzle law and the system
OF fines for impOunded animals They
say that If a dog owner can prove that
he put muzzle on his dog. and then the
dog. getting out on the street gets that
mUzzle of and IS taken up by the pound
wagon, the District has not the right to 50
act. and certainly not 10 extort a fine.
a further claim was that ia the 4irst
place the owners are Overchargad. for
they are obliged 10 pay taxes on their
dogs as personal property and then re-
quired to pay for a license.
Several letters indorsInE the objects OF
the meeting were read from citizens
unable 70 be present one in particUlar
contained a scathing deuUnciaricu Of the
District Commissioners and the state
meEt that no court would uphold their
side OF the question if a case was
brought up The writer declared that the
Commissioners are an administrative
body, anyway. and the legislative power
IS an assumption
Once When the Dog Won.
One OF the oldest members Of the asso-
ciation called attention TO the time. some
twenty years OF more ago. when a muz-
zle law was enacted, 10 be in force dur
ing the supposedly dangerous months for
the dogs At that time a case was
brought into court. and The dog owner
sustained IN his claim against the order
The main action or the meeting. outside
OF the motion 10 affiliate with the older
association, was the appointment Of a
committee OF three attorneys. who were
delegated 10 consider the whole muzzIe
question. confer with the Commissioners
on the matter. and report 10 q meeting
whicI viii be called in the near future
This VIII be a meeting Of the affiliated
bodies. at which some definite action viii
be taken
Meanwhile the committee named which
consists OF Thomas c Bradley. George
c Gertman. and 4 Winship Wheatley-
IS directed TO take charge Of any legal
proceedings which may arise involving
any member Of the association who might
be called before the courts for violation
OF the muzzIe order
AIr- Bradley said. after the meeting ad-
3ourned. subject to the call OF the presi-
dent that a good case can probably be
made against the new law. The only
case ever brought into the District courts
was lost by the government. and he
thinks that the old decision would likely
Be upheld