Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-08
Poultry and Pigeon Law in
Effect Tuesday Next.
PROVISION FOR PERMITS
Delay Until Parties Interested. Have
Time to Apply.
u TEST PROBABLE
Police Anticipate Trouble in En-
forcing the New Statute.
Pigeons May Be Barred.

Anticipating rush on the part OF ap-
plicants for permits for the keeping of
domestic fowls and pigeons under the
law, which becomes effective Tuesday
morning, Health Oflcer woodward has
ordered several thousand blank forms
for that purpose. The law was officially
published a month ago. and copies of
it have already been distributed to men,
bers Of the police force, as heretofore
stated, but in all probability no effort
will be made to enforce its provisions
until owners of fowls and pigeons have
had an opportunity to make application
for permits.
Relating to the houses in which chick,
ems are to be kept, the law says they
are to be dry, well ventilated and with
window SO placed as If possible. to adj
NIT sunlight.
To be kept we'll whitewashed within.
To be cleaned at least once q week
between November 1 and May 1, twice
week between May 1 and November 1.
and oftener If necessary.
Perches-To be movable and kept
clean.
Nests-To be movable and cleaned,
aired and summed at frequent intervals.
supplied at all times with clean water.
Yard-Surface to be kept clean and yard
kept free from Odor.
No roosters are to be kept on the
premises. without the consent of a
majority of the householders in that
square or block.
Relating to Pigeons.
1t is thought the law will bar pigeons
unless they are held in confinement, it
being specified that fowls and pigeons
shall not be permitted to run, fly or
stray within fifty feet Of a residence
structure owned by q person other than
their owner.
While the law makes certain excep-
tions. such as the keeping of fowls
in stores and permitting them to be
kept not more than twenty-four hours
by consumers, 1t contains the provision
that no fowls or pigeons shall be kept
in any square or block having Is per
cent of its lots improved. without a
permit from the health officer of the
District of Columbia. nor otherwise than
in compliance with the law.
It IL said there are thousands Of fowls
within the city limits which will not be
permitted to be retained under the pro-
visions Of the new regulation, and what
is to become of them Is a question that Is
puzzling some Of the more deeply inter-
ested ones. number of owners OF chick
ems, It is stated, have already been ap-
preached by persons who are anxious to
make purchases.
Proposes to Test Law.
But" said one owner to a prospective
BUYER II am not so certain that I am
going to sell out. All laws and regula-
tfons do not stand the test OF the courts.
and am not going to do away with my
chickens without making a test.
And" he added. Il am not alone in
the matter The authorities must remem-
Der the fate OF the old law. and before
we submit to the provisions of the new
one we are going to give 1t a judicial
test l believe there should be law reg
ulating the keeping of fowls In the city,
but such law should be reasonable one.
and am not prepared to admit that such
Is the case with the new law"
Maj. Sylvester expects the enforcement
of the law will mean that members OF
his force will be kept busy all the fall
and winter. There are hundreds OF chick
en- owners In the city and county and the
superintendent OF police sees that dihicul-
ties are likely to be encountered in the en-
forcement OF the law. He also realizes
that 1t will be difficult matter for the
men to enforce the provision OF the law
which forbids the straying Of the fowls to
points within fifty feet of homes OF per-
sons other than their owners.
On The Anxious Seat.
Poultry raisers are taking a deep inter-
est in the enactment and enforcement Of
the provisions of the new law. some of
them being Of the opinion they will have
to leave the city and procure small farms
outside the city limits. Many complaints
have been made to the police from time
to time about fowls being kept in the city
and the annoyances they have caused. and
such persons will welcome the enforce
ment Of the law.
ut is almost certain" remarked a po-
lice Official last evening. that there will
be very few roosters left in the city II
the court holds that the law is valid"