El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-01-25
ASK TARIFF To
BAN PLUMES
Of BIRDS
Strong Fight Is Being Made
Against Bird Slaughter
For Millinery.
BIG INTERESTS ARE
OPPOSING THE FIGHT

-EW YORK, Jan. 25.-Backed by
Nj farmers, sportsmen and wom-
\ ems clubs in every section of
the country, officers of the National
Association Of Audubon Societies have
today demanded of the ways and means
committee OF congress an opportunity
TO urge q prOhibitive tariff on egret
feathers at the hearing on schedule n.
which will be held before the end OF
this month. Opposing the monied in
terests Of the millinery wholesalers,
whose inrOads on the valuable bird
life Of New York, Louisiana. Missouri,
New Jersey, Oregon and California
have forced these states to pass laws
making cOntraband the sales of these
plumeS, the national Audubon delega-
ton viii ask that they be excluded
from the whole country in the interest
Of everyone dependent upon its agri-
cultural prosperity.
Movement Has Strong Support.
The Federation of Women's clubs and
organizations of grangers in almost
every state, as well as the Campfire
club, the New York Geological society.
the Long Island SpOrtsmen's assOcia-
ton, the American Game Protective as
sociatiOn and other bodies of sports
men have pledged their support to this
movement.
Data. compiled from scientific obser-
walton of a flock of the few herOns that
professional plume hunters in an Audi
bon breeding roOkery in Florida, is be-
ing prepared to demonstrate to con-
greSs that these rare birds are a con-
siderable factor in the destruction of
field mice, gophers, grasshOppers and
other agricultural pests While in some
few instances they have been found to
deYOur an occasional trout their regu-
lar diet is proved to consist principally
if minnows, suckers and other useless
fish, as well as water snakes that are
known to destroy great Quantities Of
trout eggs and valuable young fish
Other proof Of the natural need OF
farmers and fishermen for the beautiful
birds that the milliners have almost
driven to extinction will be presented
by representatives Of these interests
Following the recent Introduction by
senator Root Of a resolution empower
ing the president Of the United States
TO call an international congress on
bird protection, represen tatVes Of the
world powers actively engaged IN saw
ing the rare species that is being mas
sacred for their aigrette plumes are
now expressing to the Audubon organ
ization their support Of this movement
While the whole globe is at present
secured for these trophies, taken from
butchered mother birds for market
here, q tariff ban would do much to-
ward saving the beautiful heron from
worldwide destruction, 1t is asserted.
VIII Fight Millinery Interests.
with the people OF the United
States Of almost every class united to
support US Il asking congress to bar
from our country the aigrettes Of the
unfortunate heron, we expect to meet
the big millinery interests in sole op-
position before the congressional COM
1nittee." said 7. Gilbert Pearson, secre-
tary of the National Association Of Au-
dubOn Societies, at It's headquarters,
1874 Broadway, today. THE slaughter
OF these useful aud beautiful birds is
a comereiaI matter only TO the men
who sell their s..alps in thOse states
where this shameful traffic is not al
ready forbidden by law. Congress
should certainly recognize the senti-
ment and interests of the whole people,
who ask it to end this importation as a
nomic and agricultural benefit"