381 



During the past 150 years the rate of extermination (of mammals) has in- 

 creased 55-fold. If the killing goes on at this pace, in about 30 years all the 

 remaining 4,062 species of mammals will be gone. 



It is time, gentlemen, that the citizens of this Nation and the peoples 

 of the world, reevaluate the rationale upon which we base our right 

 to destroy other life forms. Except for man, there is no other living 

 organism on the face of this earth that has the power to act as its own 

 destroyer. And there is no other animal or mammal on the face of 

 this earth that acts to destroy other animals except toward the end 

 of sustaining its own life. Yet, man, throughout history, has acted to 

 destroy both himself and other life forms, often for reasons that have 

 no bearing on his own necessity or will for survival. Even today, we 

 destroy some of the world's most splendid creatures for sport, recrea- 

 tion, pleasure, and luxury. To destroy another living creature as a 

 necessary means to survival is one thing. But to destroy any living 

 creature as a matter of whim is to contribute to our own destruction. 

 As the late Joseph Wood Krutch once said, "To be truly human has 

 always meant to be compassionate." 



Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the committee, I thank you for 

 permitting Mr. McMahon and me to appear before you today on 

 this most important subject. If you have any questions, we will be 

 happy to attempt to answer them for you. 



Mr. DiNGELL. Gentlemen, you have given the committee a most help- 

 ful and interesting statement. 



Mr. Ho3rt, we are most grateful for your testimony. 



You indicated some suggestion with regard to the language. 



You have also suggested some additional language and if you have 

 any additional language, we would be appreciative in receiving that. 



The Chair recognizes my good friend, Mr. Pelly. 



Mr. Pelly. No questions. 



Mr. DiNGELL. Mr. Anderson ? 



Mr. Anderson. No questions. 



Mr. DiNGELL. Gentlemen, one question that will be helpful to the 

 committee : Can you explain to us the difference between the American 

 Humane Association and the Humane Society of the United States? 



I assume you are both busy doing the same good work, but I would 

 like to know the difference. 



Mr. HoYT. The American Humane Association, as Mr. Denney 

 said, is mainly a federation of local humane societies across the 

 country. 



The Humane Society of the United States is an individual member- 

 ship society, essentially numbering approximately 40,000 members. 



We do also, however, have affiliated societies, some of which are 

 affiliated dually with the American Humane Association and the Hu- 

 mane Society of the United States and some which make a preference. 



As well, we work very closely with many, many of the local humane 

 societies across the country in consulting with and assisting them in 

 their programs for animal welfare. 



Mr. Chairman, we also work closely with various city and county 

 governments across the country in that same regard. 



Mr. DiNGELL. Mr. Potter? 



Mr. Potter. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



