The Washington times., 1909-02-14
Society for Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals Op-
poses Measure.
CHAMBER HOLDS
ALONG SESSION
Law Having Sanction of Body Will
Represent Most Progressive
Idea.

The recommendatiou OF the Chamber
OF Commerce with respect 10 the rejer-
tiqSl q. passage of The bin In Congress
for the punishment and prevention of
Cruelty 10 animals will be the most
representative expression OF the citizens
or the District ON the merits Of the pIU-
posed leEisl.t -E.
Tins was daHni,sIy decided a a meet
ing Of the law and legislation commit
tee OF the Chamber last night which
lasted until nearly midnight. and before
which views were submitted by a num-
Der of persons, not affiliated with the
organization. both for and against the
measure.
The meeting served TO bring out the
fact that the Chamber is regarded as
being the best organized opdy through
which 10 bring TO the notice of Con
gTess the desire of q majority OF the
citizens for an effective humane bill.
which Will meet all of the needs and
requirements of the District.
Both Sides Heard.
number Of speeches were made by
the advocates and opponents of the
BILL whose object is TO transfer to the
police department the powers now
vested in the District Society for the
Prevention Of Cruelty to Animals Il
was stated that another hearing will he
held within a few days, after which
the committee viii formulate report
10 be submitted 10 the board of direc-
tors Of the Chamber.
From the tenor OF the speeches made
and the views expressed by several
hen Of he
little probability Of the BILL IL its pres
eut form. being recommended for pas
sage Representatives of the local hue
manc organization characterized the
measure as being a blow at the con-
tlnuanCe OF thar society. Members of
the Horse Owners Association, through /
whom the bin originated, admitted de
1ects with respect 10 certain of its
provisions. and, it is generally agreed .
That the report 10 be submitted by the
committee 10 the directors will recon-
mend the enactment of the proposed /
legislation in considerably amended +
form.
The First Inning.
Advocates of the bill were given tho T.
first inning Of the discussion last night, .
and a large number of them were pres .
ent 20 present their views. The speakers /
Who took this side OF the proposition F.
were Carl c. Mueller, representing the f.
fectioner; Benjamin r Edwards, Frank /
4. Sebring. clerk of the Police Court: /
A. S. Trundle. H F. Anstine, C.. Barn
well Robinson, District veterinarians f.
~. s. FIoge, FRANK +. May A D. " /
Burr. Thomas w smith, and e.. j. /
Lancaster. Letters strongly urging the +
passage OF the bill were read from Viii
liam T. DOwuey and Ross p. Andrews. /
The representative of the Society for /
HfaFTF |af 'aHHEl Ami
were President G.. s.. Snow. Treasurer /
". Clarence Duyall and Attorney Ken
nedy. President Snow set forth the de- /
tails OF the working Of the humane /
At the opening Of the meeting. Nh
Mueller presented statistics showing /
that more arrests for cruelty TO animals
nave Deen made IN washington Tor the F.
past several years than in New York. +
he said that the DeCuuiaTy factor was
potent IN the workings OF the local hui /
name society and that it was being run
ss graft organization the view OF
the agents being TO collect fines and
collateral rather than prevent tuhuuau
treatment. The organization. he insist /
ed, had outlived its usefulness
Explained in Detail.
The same opinion was expressed more .
IN detail by the other speakers who .
followed Mr.. Mueller, experiences be-
ing narrated to show the workings of
the agents Of the society and figures
quoted 10 set forth the amoant iu fines
the organization has been annually /
collecting. which, IL was asserted. was
paid 10 its agents
President Snow stated that FIVE agents
were now in the employ OF the society. /
he gave numerous instances of the .
good that has been accomplished and /
denied that graft In any form had made
It's appearance in the management OF
FsHr MI.
been introduced, he declared. was not
only for the purpose OF dIsbaudlug tine .
society but had been gotten mp for the .
benefit of veterinarians and to allow /
owners OF horses 90 be less e0uelderste /
~ the care and treatment of their
stock
Attorney Andrews presented srarIs-
tics showing that one agent Of The So
clety had made Z2 Investigations OF /
alleged inhumaE treatment TO animals, [
had caused lt5 arrests TO be made. of
which 1872 Of the defendants iu the .
cases had been found guilty and fined
BY the court.