The Washington herald., 1912-04-14
GIVE THOUGHT TO
RIGHTS OR BIRDS
Women Are Engaged in Ruthless
determination Of Them.
By ELLA wHEELER WILCOX.

By ELLA WHEELER WILCOX.
Now. while the agitation Of woman's
rights is going on. let all women give a
thought to the rights OF birds In Gods
beautiful world
And here is little extract from some
statistics given by Henry Salt. in his
booklet. Animals Rights" published in
London:
zone dealer in London is said to have
received as a single consignment 1900
dead thinning birds. 5000 aquatic birds,
and 10000 pairs OF wings A Partisan
dealer had a contract for 1900 birds, and
an army Of murderers were turned out TO
supply the order. No less than 1000 terms
have been sent from Long Island in one
season for millinery purposes At one
auction alone in London there were sold
l04, 80 West Indian and Brazilian bird
skins, and sass East Indian, besides
Thousands Of pheasants and birds Of
paradise"
The meaning Of such statistics is SIM
ply that the women of Europe and Amer
lea have given an order for the ruthless
determination Of birds.
Animals Have Rights.
II Is not seriously contended in any
quarter that this wholesale destruction.
effected often IN the most revolving and
heartless manner. Is capable Of excuse
or JUSTIFICATION, ytt the efforts Of those
who address themselves TO the better
feelings OF the offenders appear TO meet
with little or no success.
The cause of this failure must undoubt-
ediy be sought In the general lack Of any
clear conviction that animals have rights
and the evil Will never be thoroughly
remedied until not only this particular
abuse. but all such abuses. and the prime
source from which such abuses originate.
have been subjected TO ar impartial criu-
cISm.
In saying this do not. Of course. mean
to imply the special efforts should not
be directed against special cruelties.
/ have already remarked that the main
responsibility for the daily murders
which fashionable millinery Is instigat-
ing must lie at the door Of those who de-
mand, rather than those who supply.
these hideous and funereal ornaments.
Unfortunately, the process, ike that
Of Strengthening cattle, Is throughout
delegated TO other hands than those of
the ultimate purchaser. so that II is ex-
ceedingly dificult to bring home due
sense Of blood outlines TO the right per-
son.
Let every woman who claims to be
more than a mere skeleton upon which
fine apparel is hung, every woman who
believes she has heart and a mind,
pause and consider the enormity OF the
crime against the feathered creatures of
earth which fashionable millinery wages.
And let her resolve to use her feminine
ingenuity and taste in creating hats and
bonnets for her own use which do not
require the corpses of or feather Of dead
birds to make them beautiful
Dead Birds on Their Hats.
There is no more grotesque sight to
behold tlan a women's club luncheon.
where women wearing every manner Of
bird decorations on their heads meet to-
gether to discuss the best ways Of bring
Ag kindness into the world and lessen
ing cruelty.
Besides the cruel aspect OF this ques-
ton Subject. rather. since II is no ques-
tion), there is the appalling fact that the
decrease Of birds means the increase Of
insects and moths, and the consequent
destruction Of fruits. grains, vegetables.
and trees.
From an Industrial, as well as a hu-
name point OF View. women should or
ganize a no-bird millinery movement.
Beautiful creations in headgear are
fashioned out OF ribbons. lace. ferns,
flowers, and jet.
Analysed, the idea OF carrying a dead
struction Of life, on the head, Is mon
strous, inartistic and senseIess.
The wearing of furs can be defended
by phc argument that Wild anImaIs
would soon own the earth II not de-
stroyed, and that human beings heed
their skins to keep them from the cold.
But no such argument can be ofrered
in excuse by the women who cause
birds to be slaughtered by the millions
for their use in head decorations.
Tell your milliner, dear lady, to fash
ion you the most exquisite hat possible
out OF natures and arts inanimate ar
ticIes.
Suggest ideas to her, and endeavor 10
produce something wnrcn shall be so
beautiful II puts TO shame the NINA
ture butcher shops which other women
sport.
Aid the Cause.
Talk this subject to your friends ana
to your enemies, ana make II familiar
TO the minds OF all women.
Refuse to belong to a club that does |
not consider this question one OF i'm |
portance to the progress OF woman.
Make the women who attend your |
church ashamed or wearing their re-
ligion until they cease to aid the cause |
OF murderous millinery.