THE ANTI-STEEL-TRAP LEAGUE
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—The friends of animals in Great Britain will be interested to know that the Anti-Steel-Trap League, through its State Division, has scored another victory against the use of the steel-trap for catching fur-bearing animals. The Commonwealth, by a direct vote of the people, outlawed this barbarous instrument on November 4th, 1980. It is the most important step in humane legislation since the first law passed by the British Parliament in 1822 for the pre- vention of 'cruelty to animals, and is a just rebuke to those members of the State Conservation Committee who blocked its passage three times in as many years. Believing that the Committee was not rightly interpreting the will of the people, the Anti-Steel-Trap League had recourse to the popular Initiative and Referendum, which allows of pre-
seating a question direct to the voters after defeat by the Legislature.
On September 24th, 1929, the Attorney-General of Massa- chusetts certified the preliminary petition of ten citizens of Massachusetts to place the Bill on the ballot. During the period between the certification and December 4th, 1929, it was required to obtain 20,000 certified signatures of qualified voters over a territory of several counties. Nearly 40,000 were presented to the Secretary of State by the President of the League. At a later date the Bill had a hearing before the same Conservation Committee which had rejected it in 1928 and 1929. Again it was rejected, but a minority and a majority report were given to the Legislature which debated it, finally giving an adverse report. It then became necessary for the proponents of the Bill to obtain 5,000 more certified signatures. For good measure 10,000 were presented, and the question was assured of being put on the ballot the following November. According to the law it was necessary to secure 30 per cent. of the total votes cast and a majority " Yes " vote over the " No " vote. We secured not only 80 per cent. of the entire vote, but 50 per cent. Our majority was 829,999.
The victory is an enduring monument to the vision of Edward Breck, who made the first organized effort to abolish the steel-trap. Flush with plans for the success of the Anti- Steel-Trap League and at the high tide of endeavour, Com- mander Breck paid the price of overwork and ceaseless labour. He died for his four-footed friends as gallantly and courageously as he had lived for them—but if " to live in the hearts of men is not to die," he has truly entered into life.—I am,
President, The Anti-Steel-Trap League, 1731 K Street Northwest, Washington, D.C., U.S.A.
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