The Detroit times., 1913-02-24
HUMANITY IS
PROMPTER OF
LEGISLATION
Many Bills introduced in Lans-
ing Inspired by Human
sympathy
SENATOR OGG WOULD
PROTECT THE EGRET
Says Many Detroit Business Men
Refuse to Countenance
Slaughter
Eronl a Special Correspondent.

LANSING, Mich. Feb. 24.--Human-
itarianism Is one OF the distinct char.
acteristics OF the proposed legislation
now awaiting the decision OF the
states law makers The list OF bills
OF which Il is the sole or partial aim
would be very long, but among them
are many TO alleviate working condi-
lions OF men, women and children;
others to provide better care OF un-
fortunate classes OF persons, TO regu-
late the employment OF children, the
mothers compensation bill, one TO
provide care for blind babies, TO put
the handling OF delinquent children
under the control of the school system
so that they will not have the criminal
stamp on them, TO provide the teach
Ing of humans treatment OF domestic
and wild animals TO school children, 70
prevent improper treatment Of many
animals such as the use OF broken
down horses, to prohibit the manufac-
ture Of adulterated animal foods and
others too numerous to mention.
Recently, Senator Ogg, OF Detroit,
introduced q bill TO protect the egret
and to prohibit the sale OF its plumage.
When asked about H. he said, There
must be so fish bills In. dozen or so
to protect birds and as many more to
protect various other animals.
1T seemed TO me that one to protect
the egret would not be out OF place.
I wonder how many OF the women who
wear aigrettes In their hats know that
whenever any OF them are obtained
one OF these little birds loses It's life!
II must do so for in taking the plum
age part OF Its body must be out away.
Often the mutilated remains are ex-
posed on a post or some such place
In order that the instructive sympathy
OF its comrades which will gather
around may be made the means OF
their destruction also
This bill Is not the first action 70
be taken along this line. For instance,
did you know that three of the largest
stores of detroit do not carry
aigrettes, and for humanitarian rea-
sons? Successful business men are
coming to have more huban sympathy
and broader interests.
About two years ago, | met the
late ]. L. Hudson, OF Detroit with the
millionaire newspaperman, Milton Nc
Rae, in jackson, where they had been
going through the prison. when I
asked how they happened to be there,
Mr.. Hudson replied, Well Bob, we're
here to see IL We can't do something
for the fellows locked up inside these
Malls They were especially Inter
ested In having better cells provided
for the men.
mot only Is the world getting bet
ter, but the spirit OF ultruism Is being
shown I'm business men and even IN
the legislature. This Is my fourth
winter In the capital, and the attitude
OF the membership now Is different
from what II has been before IN that
time.
Humanitarian arguments have
weight they never had before. With
out any sentimentality about IL, the
men are coming really TO appreciate
that they are their brothers keepers.
Last week a continuous stream or
bills came forth from committees ana
they were moved up on the calendars
from day to day with pretty fair reg
nlarity. Each house thus passed a
goodly number. but most OF them are
OF small consequence. IL Is hoped
that the consideration OF the more I'M
portant measures may be begun this
week.
Chief among those got out OF the
way is, OF course, the woman suffrage |
amendment which has left, only what
ia expected TO be a perfunctory vote In |
the senate Tuesday. The Glasner mar
rage bill which has been hanging over
the house for some time also was
passed by that body.
OF interest 10 Detroit was the pas
sage by both houses Of bills to wlve II |
q third police justice. The senate, |
however. refused TO allow immediate
effect Of the one approved by It.
The Introduction OF bills has con-
tinued consistently so that the num-
Der In still breaks all records for this |
time In the session.
Numerous open hearings we're held,
the one arousing most interest Prob |
ably being that on text books for the |
public schools. The outcome OF the |
struggle Of the schoolmen against |
statewide uniformity seems likely TO |
be q compromise by which uniform |
textbooks would be provided EXCEPT In |
communities voting to have free
books. SCOTT.