The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-11-23
KILLING CATS TO
SHOW EFFECT OF
TOBACCO HABITS
This Is Latest Move of Anti
Soldier Comfort Crusaders.
Demonstration Before School
Children Is Nauseating.
AUTHORITIES ARE UP IN ARMS
School Officers Did Not Know
of DIR. POIand's Actions.
Warrant Has Been Issued for
Arrest by Mayor House.

Arrest by Mayor House.
The anti-tobacco crusade in Topeka
reached a crisis this afternoon when
the public was advised of the use of
live cats for educational demonstra-
tions" against the use of nicotine.
Citv. educational and humane officials,
as we'll as the military committee of
the Chamber of Commerce, have pro-
tested. Mayor House this afternoon
declared warrants had been issued TOT
DIR. NJ. Il. Poland and DR.. Il. W. Ior-
don, West Virginia anti-tobacco cru
saders. who have given lectures ana
demonstrations in Topeka schools.
Children in the Lafayette school
were nauseated and became SICK IL
was declared, as the result of dem
onstration at that school by DR.. Pol
and Humane officers are lnVestlgat-
ing the case. Members of the Doard
of administration have protested. The
crusaders have been notified to cease
demonstrations on live subjects.
Have Issued Warrant.
Topeka's big row over the tobacco
fund for soldiers eliminated in to-
DAVIS developments. 1t was reVeaIeu
that public school officials, without
consent or approval of the board OIL
education as body, approved the 70
bacco lectures. At the Laiayette
school. a live cat was killed for the
"education" of the children. Dr 70
land told Of his demonstration TINS
afternoon in a lecture before puplis
in the Quincy school ..,o.oo
Mavor House directed the issuance
of a complaint and warrant FOR the
anti tobacco educational leaders. IoI-
lowing complaints by officers OF the
humane society.
The humane society mace COM
nlaint and asked for a warrant" sara
the mayor. Il think under the ordl-
nance against inhumane treatment OF
dumb animals. the warrant is Jusu-
fled and it was issued. don't know
whether il has been served by TINS
time But it will bes'is,
supt. Wilson Calls Halt.
Not in months has Topeka kicked
mn such a row as has been gathered
in the wake of the killing OF kittens
before school children in the demon
stration of the evils of tobacco II
appeared some one had let down thS
bars and opened the school rooms OF
Topeka. to the anti-tobacco crusaders
No authority was asked or secured
from the board of education. Even
Superintendent Wilson, who approved
the tobacco lectures. admitted sense
of nausea over the Poland plan of kill
ing kittens with nicotine for the edu-
cation and enlightenment of school
children. He declared he called halt
as soon as ne heard Of the matter.
l. NJ Penwell, a member of the
board Of education, was never advised
of the educational demonstrations.
He received his first knowledge Of the
Poland-Gordon uplift campaign thru
the State Journal today.
Fool Stufr'-PenweII.
Doesn't that made you sick?" com
mented Penwell' You say just flatly
for me that the board never approved
of these actions. 1t never heard of
them, so far as 1 know. 1 am not in
favor of this fool stuff. We have too
much tommyrot already. People are
being imposed upon thru our schools
and churches and L am opposed to it.
] don't know why anyone needs to
try to regulate our business and our
affairs thru educational demonstra-
tons by killing cats before our school
children. We can regulate our own
affairs without volunteer outside in
reference. These people should keep
their noses out and l would be very
glad to tell them So"
Even Superintendent Wilson Judged
on an extension of the tobacco morals
thru the killing of kittens before the
eyes of the school children.
No More Live Subjects.
Il sent DR.. Poland to see Mrs
Evans. president of the board" said
Wilson. Il approved his lectures an6
do now. They were also approved by
the president of the board and by the
chairman of the teachers committee
But when I heard of the demonstra-
tions on cats, 1 called a halt. l told
DR.. Poland today not to use more live
subjects for demonstrations"
Row i'm Sight.
Now there is an opening wedge
for gala trouble day over the dem
onstration Superintendent Wilson
declared the anti-tobacCo crusader
had spoken in a number of thu
schools of the city "at the request o
the principals" Charles Todd il
principal of the lafayette school
where a kitten was killed. That Pen
well and his following on the board o
education will take look into th'
matter is most evident.
Humane Society Object.
Behind the uprising of the variou
organizations protesting against tn
Poland-GordOn educational demon
strations" is the force and following
of the Humane society. Kilmaur
King of the society, went to Count
Attorney Carver today to protes
against the use of live cats in demon
stration of horrible effects of the US
of tobacco. Nor does King propos
to stop with few protests. He mad
clear today that the Humane societ
was behind any movement that pu
a such demonstrations in proper Hgh
before the public
Children Become Sick.
"Such demonstrations are demoral
izing and tear down the very spirit O
the campaign of human educatio
sought to be established in the school
of this country" said King. 'Thes
demonstrations tear down the yer
foundation of our work. l don't kno7
who sanctioned these demonstration
or approved them. I wish knew
On lau.