Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-25

THERE will be medical salvation
for ailing Tiges and DobbinS OF
Washington. even though their
i owners cannot foot the bill.
The Washington Animal Res
cue League has announced the organi-
zation of a free clinic for pets whose
masters are unable to AFFORD veterinary
costs Built with funds the Govern
ment paid for the leagues former nome
at MARYLAND avenue and Four-and-a-
half street southwest, the new institu--
ton on o street between North Capitol
and First streets will be manned oy
competent staff Of veterinary surgeons
cooperating with the organization.
The contract for the construction oil
the haven has been awarded to Banen
a. Wright, and r. w. Berry is the archi-
tect Actual operations will begin
within a month and formal dedication
probably will be made by early winter.
Conceived in 1914.
The foundation, growth and develop
ment of the Animal Rescue League are
so intimately associated with 20 many
Washingtonians that 1t Is now recog-
nized as ranking among the community
ORGANIZATIONS doing a useful ana neces-
sary work It was conceived curing
1914 by a small band OF washington
men and women. They drew their IN
SEPARATION partly from the success OF the
Animal Rescue League In Boston ana
partly from their chagrin at seeing the
CAPITAL of the United States tagging SO
far behind in O movement which was
economic as well as Humanitarian.
The roster OF the founders reads ike
a page from the book Of Washingtons
most public-spirited. But Whatever
tinge OF sentimentality may have &C
companied their plans and their action.
they were guided throughout by the
strictest sense of practical humans
tarianism. There were existing then In
the Capital to be sure, the Humane
society. doing a splendid work within
its field, and the municipality operated
dog pound. But friends OF both Will
concede that neither covered the whole
field of animal shelter and rescue pro-
viding the practical relief so sorely
needed The Humane Society was en-
gagged principally in enforcing the laws
against brutality and cruelty to AMI
mails. The dog pound was engaged
principally in enforcing the law requir-
ing the licensing and tagging Of dogs.
Either, of course, was ready to respond
to the extent of its capacity, when
called upon. for relief Of animal dis
tress, but neither protested ability to
provide direct relief on its own 1nltia-
tive.
The inspiration of the founders of
the Animal Rescue League was rescue
the animal" Prosecution for violations
OF existing laws. they felt, might well
| BE- tlt 70 tnOSc agencies AITeRdy IN G'
istence. But they felt that there should
ing.
FOR the animals themselves the AMI
NAL Rescue League asked only fair
chance, rescue from homelessness and
hunger, relief from disease and distress
and hope from inhumanity.
Seek Cleaner City.
And in carrying out their work the
founders had not alone the rescue and
relief Of animals for their objective;
they were thinking of the work Of max
ing the Nations Capital q cleaner,
more beautiful city and more health
full place to live.
On March %, 1914. Mrs. Thomas
F. Bayard, Mrs. william Slater, Mrs.
S. M. Ackley, Mrs. Frank E. Smith,
Miss Martha Goldman, Miss Nancy
Johnson and Mrs George A. Becker met
at the home OF Miss Lydia Biddle. with
Boston Animal Rescue League. to ar
range for public meeting to form the
Washington Animal Rescue League. 1t
was determined to hold public meet
ing at Woodward q Lothrop's audi
forum on March 81, to be presided
over by Rear Admiral 8. A. Staunton.
At that meeting the washington An
final Rescue League was born. Walter
Stilson Hutchins president OF the HUI
name Society. was one of those at
tending and gave to the movement his
stated that while the Humane Society
was doing its best. the work needed to
be done was great and that he was
convinced that an animal rescue
league was what Washington needed.
As result of the meeting, at which
there was a full discussion. Mrs. Peter
Goelet Gerry, Miss johnson, Miss
Biddle. Miss Goldman. Mrs. Ackley. Mrs.
Becker and Mrs. Smith were appointed
as a committee to organize the league.
Finally, at meeting at the Shore
ham Hotel on April "a, 1914. with
Admiral StauRton in the chair. the pro-
posed charter of the league was read
and accepted. The following ofncers
of the Washington Animal Rescue
League were elected:
OfRcers of League.
President. Mrs Peter Gcelet Gerry;
vice presidents, Arthur d. Addison, Rev.
c. Ernest Smith, r. Ross Perry, John
r. Mclean, Mr. Ben johnson, Mrs.
Duncan U. Fletcher Mrs. James E.
MARITIME. Mrs Charles Boughton Wood:
secretary. Mrs. Frank Z. Smith; treas
urer. Rear Admiral S. A. Staunton;
directors. Mrs. George S. Becker, Mrs.
s. M Ackley. Miss Martha Goldman
Miss Lydia Biddle, Miss Nancy john
son, Mrs David Foster. Mrs. H. 2.
Moses. Mrs Gordon Cumming, Nine
HuSsein Bey, and Mrs. Thomas z.
Bayard
The names. it will be noted, resem-
BILE a page from the social register. the
ofhcial life, and the best OF Washington
of years ago.
Beginnings were modest. money was
scarce. discouragementS were many,
obstacles were great. A less determined
band OF men and women would have
abandoned their project. Headquarters
were established in room over a stable
on Decatur court northwest between
N and Q streets One cciored man.
his only equipment a basket, and a
strip of car tickets Cthen used in Wash
ganization. He "toted" what distressed
when they became too large or too
numerous he called for help. and SONS
member who owned q coach and pair
or, as occasionally was the case, q
"horseless carriage" turned out TO help
For matron Of the establishment the
League brought from Boston Miss Mary
r0rraav who uvaa exnerfeneed In the