Regarding Betty Bartholomew's letter to the editor in the Jet City Maven's November issue titled "Seattle Mayor Paul Schell's proposal to ban circuses is misguided," we are speaking for the voiceless who cannot speak for themselves to thank Mayor Schell for his stand against performing animals in circuses.

Here is some research for Betty:

More and more circuses are performing without animals. The world famous Moscow Circus, now touring in Great Britain, has discontinued their performing animals. The international Cirque du Soleil (performed in Seattle) plays to sold-out houses every day in Las Vegas without animals.

Vancouver, B.C., and all suburbs but one has outlawed any circus with performing animals. Redmond, Wash., has just banned animals in circuses.

Many articles have appeared praising Mayor Schell for his stand against performing animals in circuses. The most compelling from former Woodland Park Zoo Director David Hancocks, now director of Victoria Open Range Zoo in Werribee, Australia ... Mr. Hancocks (in a letter to Mayor Schell) says "Circus animals may be well fed and watered, but every other detail of their lives is completely unnatural, and to what end? Are our children's lives in any way enriched by watching bears dance like crazy men? Do we understand anything more by dressing them in princely regalia and parading them in lines? They corrupt our children promoting the notion that exploitation and degradation is acceptable."

Many humane organizations and concerned citizens have spoken out for years against the use of performing animals in circuses. For one, the Humane Society of the United States and for another, the brilliant humanitarian judge of the Municipal Court of Los Angeles Noel Cannon who said, in part, "Where animals are concerned, humanity seems to have switched off its morals and aesthetics."

We must speak up for the rights and protection of voiceless and helpless animals. It is our moral duty to do so.

The last time we went to a circus we looked into those animals' eyes and wondered if they felt as though we had participated in their capture, (and loss of) freedom and dignity.

No, we weren't laughing and clapping - we left.

And, no, we are not members of PETA or PAWS. However, we are longtime membrs of many humanitarian organizations.

We saw animal cruelty firsthand when an elephant was exhibited in our parking lot area to promote the circus. This was many years ago, but we never forgot the way the trainer prodded that animal with an electric shock stick. This practice still goes on today.

Good luck, Mayor Schell.

- HARRY & JUNE DELALOYE,

Autos Limited (on Aurora)