The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1923-08-03
BY EDWARD B. CLARK


lovers OF the Wild life generally hop'
that soon means may be found b.
which the government can at least hell
In the plan TO save the fur-bearfnl
animals of the world from being sacrf
feed on the altar OF fashion.
Uncle Sam has proved his power In
the bird case and 1t may be that he
can prove his pow er in the case of the
mammal. Signs point to the consuKs-
nation OF a plan to prevent the whole
sale slaughter OF the innocents of the
field and forest and to force woman to
give over her desire to wear furs In
sweltering hot weather as well as In
winter. the said woman being willing
to sacrifice her comfort for the purpose
of being In style.
The government has a great many
naturalists In its employment and.
while they have not as yet associated
themselves In any movement to check
the killing OF fur-bearing animals. II
Is known that naturalists In other
places are considering such a move
tnthA- %%tttcoohhl II pan - Ia bifOotif
1t will find support in certain bureaus
of the Agriculture department. and la
ter probably will find its way into the
halls Of congress for action.
Pioneer Of Anti-cruelty.
Two centuries ago Rev. James Gran
ger. a clergyman Of the Church OF
England. preached sermon against
cruelty TO the brute creation. He spoke
OF the sufferings that the fur trade in
volved. and he censured generally the
abuse of animals. The practitioners Of
Mr.. Granger said the sermon was Inn
pertinent and. in formal protest. they
declared that II was altogether derog-
atory to the dignity of the Church Of
England. that horses. dogs and other
should be mentioned In the
pulpit and that cruelty should be main
tanned as contrary to Christian mercy"
The history Of this particular case
shows In one place that the parishlon-
ers rather liked Parson Granger. and
so. after rapping him over the |
they apologized to the rest |
Of England for his conduct by saying !
that he should be held blameless be- |
,ause he simply lost his temper. That |
vas two centuries ago, but the sound. |
ng OF note of protest against cruelty /
wen In this day and generation occa-
ionally Is considered as sufficient evil
ence that the sounder ought to be
ocked up In a lunatic asylum.
The American Museum OF Natural
History Is today attempting to secure
rom different parts OF the world a few
pecimens Of some Of the mammals
'hich are vanishing with incredible
apidity. The museum authorities fear
hat all these animals will be gone in
hort order. and their desire is not
, hasten that extinction but to secure
few specimens which, anyway, would
e killed by the agents Of fashion. In
rder that posterity may know what
iese creatures looked like when they
we'd upon the earth.
Slaughter Should Be Checked.
II Is from the American Museum OF
atural History that there comes the
arning Of the extinction of the fur
caring animals Of the world. and with
the appeal for some kind of an or
Inization or movement which NAV
leck the slaughter and save TO the
Gods and fields some of the inhabi-
nts which add to their charm and TO
cir living interest.
Prof. Henry Fairfield Osborn. the
esident OF the museum, quoting from
report on the subject. has just said
Is:
Nothing in the history Of creation
5 paralleled the ravages Of the fur
d hide trade. which. with the bone
rtilizer trade, now threatens the en- :
e vertebrate kingdom. The legiti- =
tie use Of furs for protection in cold \
ather has long since passed. Furs j..
now a fashion. just as feathers ,
re 80 years ago. The trade has {
ssed almost entirely into the hands "
people of Oriental and Asiatic ORR =
l. Furs are worn in midsummer IL
rely for ornament and personal
ornment. or TO make a display Of q
alth and luxury" a
n the art gallery OF the National u
scum In Washington there hung re- o
lily an oil painting at which. at tc
time or another. thousands upon IN
usands of fur-wearing women pl
pped TO look. The picture repre- "
ted a snow scene in the north. with
OK In the foreground with one leg ar
fixed In steel trap. The snow m
blood-covered. for the plain in st
ance was that the animal had strug.
and lad torn his leg cruelty to tn
II from the trap. Washington on
uralists and lovers OF the Wild vi
orally have been wondering ever so
e II this picture had the remotest IN
q on fhe uouaan s.rhn fo..t-sa -.