Evening star., 1917-11-11
Thinks Dogs a Nuisance.

Ne the Editor Of The Star:
In Thursdays issue of The Star no.
kice an editorial protesting against the
suggested increase In the dos icehse
on the ground that such an increase
could be justified only on the ground
of public safety.
In view Of recent remarks made IN
your editorial columns regarding the
conservation of the food supply and
the suppression of unnecessary street
noises it is difficult to understand now
you could have overlooked the fact that
both would be much benefited by the
elimination of the canine in the city.
dog is undoubtedly useful In GER
kain places. but in the city he is not
only absolutely useless. but public
nuisance and an unnecessaly f St eApens ISa sver-
age dog owneN having paid his license.
considers that the animal has con-
0titutional right to split the air with
Aerve-racking walls at any time ana
feet the ability of any one In the y1cin-
aty to sleep. Protests to the owner
meet with defiance and appeals to the
police elicit the information that II
The dog is licensed they can do nothing
@the only recourse is suit In court
Iflmy children were to go out at z
jDr . o'clock in the morning and pro-
duce the noises ordinarily accompany
ing children's play. it would be con-
sidered outrageous and I would prob
ably be held for disturbing the peace.
yet the privileged canine may sally
forth and make the night hideous with
frantic barking. for hours at a stretch.
with impunity.
'- You have mentioned at times, that
khe milkman makes more noise in the
morning than he should. No doubt that
1s true. The locomotive makes even
more noise than the milkman. but the
noise of each Is produced In connec-
ton with the performance OF useful
(, work, whereas the senseless bowling Of
1hs ever-present dog is utterly useless
and without excuse.
Now, In the present crisis. it is urg-
waste and economize the food supply.
We have the wheatless day and the
| meatless day and maybe we will yet
have the eatless day. Therefore, in
{ why not have a dogless day. and then
!, another. and then some more? In
view of the fact that the noble pups
appetite is usually as good as his
been emphasized. and that the food he
consumes is utterly wasted, can you
!. deny that 1t would help?
! When framing the excess war tax
BILL Congress had under consideration.
J. at one time. the taxing of all dogs
twenty-five dollars. Why not? Why
. should not useless but expensive ami
NAL be taxed as well as useful and
s nately 1t did not go through. but If.
/. rs you say. a $40 license will be prac-
z tfcally prohibitive. all hail the day. 1t
. goes into effect and the author of its
rbeingi ]. A CLIFF.
Quotes Vests Eulogy Of Dog.
- The Editor Of The Star:
To those who propose an increase OF
xhe dog tax, as means of Kidding
7 Washington of canine pets, I commend
1 . thoughtful reading Of the classic
seulogy of the dog pronounced years
ago by the late Senator Vest of Mis-
t4Douri. IN a damage suit in which he was
counsel In Missouri:
Gentlemen Of the jury: The best
friend a man has in this world NAV
turn against him and become his enemy
+; HIS son and daughter that he has reared
! with loving care may become migrate.
I; ful Those who are nearest and dearest
I to as. those whom we trust with ou,
! happiness and our good name. may be-
come traitors to their faith The money
that man has he may Jose. It flies
AWAY from him when he may need 1,
most. Mans reputation may be sacri.
sdced in a moment of ill-considered ac.
fion. The people who are prone to fal
on their knees and do US honor wher
success Is with US may be the first tc
Throw the stone of malice when failure
.tett44 its cloud upon our heads The
one Absolutely unselflsh friend a mar
itnay have in this selfish world, the on.
Shat mover deserts him. tho one tina,