The Washington times., 1910-02-21
Horse Owners Association
Arraigned in Bold
Terms.
POLICE NEGLIGENCE
is ANOTHER CHARGE
= Commissioners Ask for Specific
Cases of Neglect by
Police.

Alleging negligence on the part Of the
police force and the officers OF the Horse
Owners Association in the enforcement
Of tie humane laws, c. a. Snow, former
president of the Washington Humane
Society, appeared before the Commits
sioners this morning in opposition to the
proposed bill taking from the society
the fines imposed in the Police Court in
cruelty 20 animals cases and removing
from the agents authority 10 make ar
rests except upon warrant
Walter Sulson Hutchins, president Of
The association, also addressed the Com
missloners. replying 10 the recent argu-
ments in favor Of the measure presented
70 the board by the Horse Owners As
sociation.
Greater Activity Ordered.
Recently the president of The r4,-
name Society and I called AT the office
Of Commissioner West" said Mr.
Snow, 'and on our representation Of the
necessity Of greater activity in the sup
preston of cruelty 10 animals by the
Metropolitan police force, he issued a
special order which was carried into Of
IN the ten precincts. directing the can
tains Of the precincts to have their men
arrest and prosecute those guilty of
cruelty 20 animals
If this order had been carried ont
and obeyed in the spirit in which we
urged II, every policeman would have
become an agent for the enforcement
oL me law. 50 far as we know, the
special order has not resulted in in Z
creased activity on the part Of the I
That the so-called Horse O,,,s,,,.
Association, does not desire The acffvftv
OF the police force is evident bv their
opposition 70 the distribution Of prizes
or medals, as expressed i'm "a bill p-itb
which you are familiar
Inactivity Said to Be Wanted.
These people fear activity on the
part Of the police. They want inactivity
In the cruelty to animals cause.
Now with reference 10 prizes and
medals, permit me to say that all kinds
or orga niZatiOnS, civil religions mill 3
tary. naval, scientific and educational
oHer and award prizes Presidents, SOW
ereisns. soldiers and Sunday school chill
dren wear them with honor and pride .
i have never heard opposition to 'tbe-7
except by these horse owners. nanv of
Wnom have records Of conviction i'm the
Police Court.
II the eX-reSidents of Sing Sing and
Moundsville should present a bil! for
Ine suppression OF prevention OF mur-
der burglary, and forgery do NOT
think your honorable body would con-
slder II. nor do we believe that the ex-
residents OF such institutions would have ,
the eHrontery 10 present such a bill ,
me Horse Owners. Association is not
wanting in such effrontery"
Replying to the criticisms Of the no.
lice force, Commissioner Johnston asked '
Mr.. Snow 10 furnish 70 him concrete I
instances or inactivity on the part of
policemen.
Specific Cases Asked.
cit is easy TO prefer charge Of {
neglect Of duty against tho force. but
such charges should be substantiated. % !
said the Commissioner. Criticisms :
should not be directed against what is =
regarded as a fine body Of men with :
est facts 70 uphold them. II there is !
sEouEht TO my attention specific in
stances of inactivity on the part Of I ,
memb bers OF he force they will he in
yestigated and the proper action taken. % =
Denial Of the statement OF the Horse
Owners Association. that the activity OF
tho agents of the Humane Society is
due 70 the fact that the fines resulting =
from conviction in cruelty 20 animsFI 4
Eases go 10 the support Of the society
was made by Mr.. Hutchins Similar
avs are in force, he said, in New York
Philadelphia, Boston, and all the large
cities, and 70 take the fines from the
Washington Humane Society would he
establishing a precedent The agents, he e.,
said, are paid a fixed salary and receive
no emoluments for the number Of ar I
-eSts made. 4
The society. he declared. would prefer =
he imposition OF a Jail sentence instead =
u a ine' as this would go farther to