Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-05-02
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OMAHA, May Ito the Editor OF The
Bee: A very practical letter appeared
last week in one Of the papers. headed
'Misdirected Energy" and signed evil
IDENTIFY by friend of the cat OF course
II was aimed at the society which Is
trying to legislate against harmless,
necessary pussy in the supposed inter-
est OF birds.
In common with millions OF other peo-
pie, | Ike and admire birds, but / like
cats ten times better. and in this ! am
also one OF millions What right has
any group OF people to slaughter our
chosen pet in the possible interest OF
their chosen pet2 Did God make them
both or not7 Nor are we talking OF
Wild beasts. but Of species which. when
not neglected or abused is perhaps the
most charming and companionable Of
created things, and one which gives
pleasure unbounded 10 hosts Of lonely
human beings, as well as 10 those who.
like myself we're born infatuated with
the feline kind. suppose we are all
born with liking for some special form
Of animal life, But what supreme SELFISH
meas II IL 10 plan the determination or
even the limitation Of species because
II 10 not the one We personally preferi
The Audubon society Is quite within
is rights and very admirable IN seeking
70 preserve its favored species. but what
shall we think Of the cruel and blood
thirsty spirit shown by some Of It's mem-
bers toward another spscies7 AZ their
last meeting one of them Clearing
nains long identified with the Humane
society, calmly advocated the wholesale
poisoning Of cats. and even proposed Of
fering bounty for those brought in
This, without already considering the al
ready murherous instinct OF the average
small boy, who would be glad 70 kill
most anything. birds included, II you
gave him 10 cents for it-and often
doesn't need that incentive. or course
II was only suggestion, but II shows
10 what extremes "misdirected energy"
may carry It's victims.
Contrast this with the real humanity
shown by Mr.. Kugel, who lately submit
ted an ordinance against offering poison
to any animal. cat or otherwise. And
with tho kindly stand Of Mrs. Baxter,
who would have stray cats taken care Of
by humane societies. "8s in other cities"
A society which champions the gentle
featherod things that inhabit our woods
and gardens should not indulge barbarous
impulses even toward tho furry things
that sometimes modest birds. but have
very little chance to do 10 in town.
where ths rats and mice are their spe-
cialty. Many men Of many minds" Of
course but ! am not the only one who.
while friendly 10 the bird society per
&c. draws the line right where they
begin 10 play arbiter over the destlnles
Of other species, unless they do 70 In the
benign way that kind Providence may
smile upon.
As TO "misdirected energy" Omaha II
certainly banner town IN that. II
can build you hotels and apartment
houses at the rate OF about one to each
lnhabitsnt; II can start societies innuin-
cradle and soak you for picture buying
and for art-castles-in -the-air, while II
cannot raise money for decent pave
ments, nor for anywhere near adequate
police protection. nor for sanitary city
cleanliness, nor for proper disposal OF
refuse nor for n lot more things that
level-headed community insists upon, as
safety first" SO Il II not strange that
the Audubons have let their zeal IN q
good cause lead them TO propose steps
that are happily impossible. But let
them confine their cat activities TO the
"blrd reserve" and not try TO leglslate
away the comfort and happiness Of the
city's cat owners.
And, whatever they do. may they at
least not be barbarous. For
lie praveth hest who loyeth best
All things. both great and small,
For the dear God who loveth U.S.
He made and loveth ell.
TABBY.