The Moving Picture World (1907)

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684 THE MOVING PTCTURE WORLD. tainment of the stage,' meant them. But every Sunday show before the inevitable shutdown meant money. To their surprise we kept pegging away. Some theaters, to their credit, refused to tje lawbreakers from the start. Others came to tardy repent- ance. Twelve in Brooklyn were persistent criminals. "Pending a final decision, the city officials have only acted when nagged beyond endurance. It has taken a year to get it To-day we are to have the law enforced. "We are told that the Sunday theater is an aid to temper- ance. I notice that the saloon owners are rendering no aid to us, however, in closing their rivals. Although treasurer of the movement and much in need of funds, I have not received a cent from such a source." * * * It was discovered November Ii that the Aldermanic Com- mittee, to which the proposed ordinance for relief from the Sunday "blue laws" has been referred, may report its conclusions when it pleases. If it elects to do so it may make the remaining Sundays in December "closed" ones. The question may be left for the new board that comes in.on January I. The only way the Board of Aldermen can circumvent the com- mittee, should its members indicate a purpose of keeping the matter hanging fire, is to discharge it. This would not be easy, as such action would require a two-thirds vote. When the committee was appointed by the board it was be- lieved by Alderman Reginald S. Doull that he had moved it should make a report at the regular meeting to be held Tuesday, 17th. An examination of the minutes failed to show any such provision. Doull could not understand how such a mistake had been made. He said he was positive that he had moved the committee report next Tuesday. He said that somebody had "blundered seriously." The minutes of aldermanic meetings are taken stenograpphically. Doull asserted that he would find a way to make the committee report on Tuesday. It can be stated authoritatively that Mayor McClellan will sign the Doull amendment to the Sunday "blue laws" or any similar measure which may be adopted by the Board of Aldermen. It is known that he has examined the amendment, which is to be given a public hearing in committee, and approves of it in spirit and in form. Mayor McClellan said that he did not wish to discuss the matter, as it would finally be submitted to him and he must deal with it in a judicial capacity. Leslie Willis Sprague, associate leader of Prof. Felix Adler, of the Society of Ethical Culture, and who is at the head of the society in Brooklyn, expressed these views on the "closed" Sun- day question: The motive of Sunday legislation in this State, as elsewhere, is not worthy. It is mainly expressive of traditional views and attempts to impose ideas of a part of the community upon the rest of the public. "It is at bottom religious legislation. Therefore it is not in keeping with the true spirit of our government "The immediate cause of the temporary enforcement of the present law is also representative of the determination of a few ecclesiastically minded people to dominate our institutions. This attempt is worthy only in so far as it represents a determination to enforce the law. But it is unworthy in so far as it represents Sabbatarian rather than humanitarian purposes. "It is desirable that there should be Sunday laws, but some- how a legal distinction must be made between educational and up- lifting art and degrading amusement; a separation of the whole- some from the vicious. "Sunday legislation is needed, but not of the. kind which shall be dictated by a few. It must be predicated on the desires of the many. I think the outcome of this present condition might easily sweep away all legislation. This would be lamentable. "No thought .has been given to the good of the people. Their morals must be safeguarded and walls of legislation must be reared. But they must be different walls and of far more hon- est material than they have known." ALDERMEN WIPE BLUE SUNDAY OFF THE CALENDAR. Adopt by Vote of 47 to 18 the World's Ordinance Legalizing Enjoyment of Harmless Amusements. There will not be another "blue" Sunday in New York. The Board of Aldermen adopted, by a vote of 47 to 18, The World's' ordinance, which was drafted by Alderman Reginald S. Doull, to relieve the public from the puritanical code forbidding any amusement or popular form of recreation on Sunday. The ordinance will-go to Mayor McClellan, and it can be said authoritatively that he will sign it Before it was introduced in the Board of Aldermen two weeks ago the Mayor signified that it represented his views. The Corporation Counsel also approved its legality. The Aldermanic meeting was a peppery session literally and figuratively. .Soon after it began a man in the crowded gallery sifted about a pound of cayenne pepper among the throng of spectators standing below. Sneezing and coughing and the wip ing away of tears became the occupation of everybody in the rear of the chamber. The shuffling 01 feet and general commotion sent some of the fiery particles up to the gallery, and the dis- turbance which ensued was suppressed only after repeated threats by President McGowan to have every spectator ejected. It was following the reading of the report of the Committee on Laws and Legislation to which the Doull amendment was referred and which held a public hearing. The committee rec- ommended a substitute ordinance. The word "wholly" was in- serted before the words "sacred and educational concerts," and the phrase "or any other performances of the stage" was in- serted. Besides these changes it was provided that upon the complaint of two citizens the Corporation Counsel must sue for a $500 fine and the revocation of the license of any manager or proprietor of any public placeof amusement violating the law. The moment Alderman Frank K. Sturges, chairman of_the committee, had read this report, Alderman Morris was on his feet with a minority report, recommending the Doull ordinance as it stood. This question was put and arguments became gen- eral. Morris said that the Sturges substitute would be in con- flict with the Penal Code. Alderman Doull said his ordinance permitted what the Penal Code did not prohibit and he doubted that the Corporation Counsel would approve the substitute. He urged that his ordi nance was one whose language could not be misunderstood. Alderman Dr. George Everson, of Brooklyn, read a letter from Canon William Sheafe Chase, who is the leader in the forces desirous Of a "closed" Sunday. The communication di- rected the Alderman's attention to. the defeat of a candidate for Alderman in Everson's neighborhood and then continued: "Your district is opposed to vaudeville and moving-picture shows on Sunday. If you vote to shut out moving-pictures and .vaudeville you will never be sorry, but you will regret it if you don't" The gallery whooped and clapped its approval of these senti- ments. It quieted down only when the. chairman threatened to have everybody put out Alderman Meyers led the Republican wing against the ordi- nance and Alderman Sullivan moved to close the debate. Here Alderman Mulligan was recognized by the Chair, but Henry Clay Peters wanted the floor. He demanded to be heard, but every word he uttered was met with a crash of McGowan's gaveL Five minutes later the calling of the roll on the adoption of the_ Doull ordinance reached Peters. Other—Alermen had ex- plained their votes. He left his seat and said he wanted to ex- plain his vote. "You cannot speak," said President McGowan. "How does the Alderman vote? State your vote." Peter's face became distorted by rage. "I shall take legal steps to get my rights!" he shouted. "This is blackguardism?' He said a lot more which was lost in the commotion which reigned. Hisses and cat calls and groans filled the chamber. The sergeants-at-arms .were ordered to suppress him, but he brushed them aside. He became so excited finally that he. could not speak and slouched into his seat, forgetting to record his vote. These are the essential provisions of the Doull ordinance: "Provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be deemed to prohibit at any such place or places on the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday, sacred or educational vocal or instrumental concerts, lectures, addresses, recitations and sing- ing, provided that such above-mentioned entertainments shall be given in such a manner as not to disturb the public peace, or amount to a serious interruption of the repose and religions liberty of the community." * * * • The captain of police notified each and every manager of the five-cent and legitimate theaters in Troy, N. Y., that they would not be allowed to open on Sunday evenings. If we are allowed to ask why cannot a respectable place open on Sundays, where the poorer class of respectable working men take their families to spend one or one and one-half hours of enjoyment, and still all the saloons in town do a flourishing business with moving pictures and illustrated songs right under the captain's nose, what's the answer? C. L. Lasher and son, of the Bijou Moving Picture Show, Albert Lea, Minn., have leased the theater at Little Falls, Mirn., and besides their show here and out at Bemidji, will conduct a like entertainment at the former chy; . * * * As the result of two and a half years' labor, George A. Knaak, Oshkosh, Wis^ has perfected a moving picture machine, which he has named the "Peerless Kinetograph," and has or- .ganized a company, which has just been-incorporated under the