The morning times., 1896-05-12

The advocates of Sunday observance have
the Endorsement of the Commissioners In
their efforts to secure enactment of the
provisions embodied in Senate bill No. PASS,
entitled, "a bill to further protect the
first day of the week as a day OF rest in
the District. The board, however, sug-
gests certain amendments which it is be-
leved should be made before it is adapted.
Should the bill become a law as amended,
stores which now keep open in the early
hours of Sunday for the benefit of beated
customers, will have to be kept closed from
midnight on Saturday until Monday MORN
ing, and aside from the prevention of bali
playing, that seems to be about the ex-
tent of its effect. The drug stores may
sell cigars, tobacco and soda water, ard
the cigar and tobacco stands are not re-
quired TO close.
The operation of the excise law is not in
anywise interfered with, hotels being per
mitted as heretofore To serve liquids 10
guests on Sunday.
The bill as originally dra awn provides
that ii shall be unia wful for any person TO
keep open any place of business or main-
tain stand for the sale of any article or
articles of profit during Sunday, except
MS apOtlCNGiiSS, Ioi tliS uiSpStSiu6 VI
medicines, and undertakers, for the pur-
pose OF providing for the dead, or others
for the purposes of charity or necessity.
BALL PLAYING PROHIBITED
II prohibits public playing on Sunday OF
football or baseball and any other kind
of playing, sports, pastimes or diversions
disturbing the peace and quiet OF the day,
anywhere within the District.
Building operations, and work upon rail-
road construction upon that day, is de-
clared also to be unla wful, and any one
violating the provisions of the act, upon
conviction, shall be punished by a fine
of not less than So nor more than $50 for
each offense In the case OF corporations
the fines are TO be multiplied TO GORE
spond with the number of persons employed
in violation of the act.
The second section OF the bill stipulates
that ii shall be sufficient defense 10
prosecution for servile labor ON the first day
of the week that the defendant uniformly
keeps another day of the week as day Of
rest, and that the labor complained OF was
done In such manner as not 10 interrupt
or disturb other persons in their observance
of Sunday as day OF rest.
The Commissioners amend the bill by
adding to the list OF exceptions in the first
section the vendors of books and news
papers. The words suggested as necessary
" Dt IHtIOuutSb III iit iiIsl SttIiOii
advance of the word apothecaries' They
also suggest that the word 'servile' lie
stricken out where it occurs in advance
of the word labor
ADD A PROyIsO
Section is also amended by adding
clause as follows: provided, This act
shall not be construed to prevent the sale
ofrefreshmentS. other than malt or Spiritunus
liquors, or 10 prevent the sale of malt
| or spirituous liquors as now provided FOR by
| law, or tobacco, cigars, railroad and boat
| tickets, or the collection and delivery CT
| baggage"
| The Commissioners yesterday recommend
| ed adverse action upon that part or an
| amendment which Senator Perkins pro-
poses to have added 10 the appropria ton bill,
relating to the manner Of providing designs
| for public buildings, basing their objections
upona statementmadeb by Building Inspector
| Brady.
The amendment which Senator Perkins
wants adopted provides that designs for
| the schoolbouse and station-houses men
| toned in the appropria ton bill shall be
| obtained from private architects in com
| petition. instead of having them prepared
in the office of the building inspector.
To this Building Inspector Brady objects
| upon the grounds thatit will add to the ex-
| pense of the structures and cause de-
| iclenCy III tne appropriations. heretofore
in construction more attention has been
paid to the provision for floor space, air
and light and the comfort Of occupants
than to architectural effect on the exterior
| of the buildings.
School buildings, he says, have moreover
| been representative of the ideas of men
| experienced in that class Of work, and au-
thorities on light and ventilation.
Mr. Brady adds that since the year 1888
Q q n II
on public buildings, and had the plans of
the buildings been designed outside of the
| building departme Mt it would have cost in
architectural fees $126, 461. as against
| S31 ,4G9 under the present, a saving TO the
| District of nearly 100000.
The Commissioners approve Senator Per-
kins' proposition, also proposed as an
amendme ut. which authorizes the munich
| pal authorities TO obtain squares in the
county suitable for the future location OF
| schoolhouses and recreation grounds, but
| suggest that 1t should only be applicable
| whenever the condition Of the District rev.
enues shall warrant the expenditures