Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-14
Regarded as Too Stringent.

~ OF HeCeSSlty.
Regarded as Too Stringent.
Commissioner Macfarland moved favor
able report, but the other two Commission
ers think the bill a little too stringent for
Colonel Biddle, the Engineer Commissioner,
concurs in the following expressions by
Commissioner Ross:
when a bill similar to the present one
was under consideration by the board Of
Commissioners in 1896, Commissioner Trues-
dell offered an amendment thereto which, in
my Judgment, would be a very appropriate
amendment to the present bill, and would
tend in a great measure to allay the OBJ
jections of a vast number of people who
would regard the bill in it's present form as
intolerably oppressive. l move, therefore,
that the Commissioners recommend that
the following amendment be made to the
accompanying bill: Strike out lines Z, g. 0
and 10, beginning with the word excepting
and ending with the word necessity, and in
sert in lieu thereof the following: Except
for the sale of medicines, cigars, toba Geo.
newspapers, meals and refreshments. other
than malt or spurious liquors, and for the
purposes of charity and necessity.
In Another Form.
A few days ago the Commissioners re-
ceived a copy of a later bill introduced in
the Senate, numbered 5563, and entitled "A
bill to further protect the first day of the
week as a day of rest in the District of
Columbia" This bill, while excepting vend-
ors of books or newspapers. and apotheca-
ries and undertakers. prohibits the playing
of base ball or foot ball or any other kind
of playing, sports, paStimeS diversions
disturbing the peace and quiet of the day:
also building operations and railway con-
struction. Commissioner Mcfarland again
recommended a favorable report on the
measure, while Commissioners Ross and
Biddle have expressed their views, as stated
by the former in the following Endorsement:
For many years there has been prac-
tically no Sunday law in existence in this
District, except those which prohibit the
sale of liquor and the one which prohibits
the opening of barber shops. The liquor
law is strictly observed. l believe that the
law prohibiting the opening of barber shops
should be modified so as to permit such
shops to open, in hotels at least, until noon
on Sundays.
Throughout the entire District the first
day of the week is respected; and no voca-
tons are carried on to my knowledge which
cause complaint or annoyance to the peo-
pie. 7 have not heard that the public play
ing of base ball or foot ball has caused
annoyance to any one. Building operations
or work upon railroad construction do not
prevail except in cases of emergency; and
l think that such exceptions should be per-
mitted to continue
I'm othet words. without any law the
people of the District of Columbia respect
the Sabbath day, and do not engage in
which seem to be in accord with public
sentiment such the opening of tobacco
stores, florist establishments, news stands,
apothecaries, etc. 1t seems to me that that
condition is preferable which secures such
creditable state of affairs without punt
tive legislation.
"My own conclusion is that there is not
now situation grave enough to demand
this proposed legislation"
There the matters rests. It may be that
at the Forthcoming hearing some new facts
will be deduced which will cause a change
of views, but from present indications it
appears majority of the District board is
opposed to the proposed legislation.
The Circular Letters.
The circular letters which the Commits
sioners are receiving from various sources
through the agency of the Retail Clerks
Association are as follows:
1--WE respectfully call your attention to
the large number of dry goods clothing
shoe and gentlemen's furnishing stores who
keep their places of business open on Sun
day This action cannot be justified by the
proprietorc Of these establishments as an
emergency, as the different lines of goods
which they handle are sold throughout the
entire week. and until late hour on Sat
urday night.
1--WE protest against this species Of Sab-
withdrawing, and ask your honorahIe
body to take such steps as may be neces-
sary to eliminate this evil.
I'VE feel assured that yourselves as uaIl
as the general public of Washington. have
no idea Of the extent to which this Sunday
business is carried on. and believe that an
investigation on your part will be startling
in the extreme"
Copies Of this letter have been sent to the
Commissioners by the following oreaniza-
tons: International Brotherhood of Book
binders. Local Union. No. f. Bakers Union.
118; United Brotherhood of Carpenters
Local Union, 100; Iron Molders' Union. No
215; International Union Stationary En-
glneers, Local. II; Musicians Protective
Union, Local. 1871; Wood, Wire and Metal
Lathers' International Union, No. o.
Ministers Interested.
The following ministers have sent in cop-
les Of the letter: Rev. Teunis s. Hamlin,
pastor of the Church Of the Covenant, who
does not commit himself to the association.
but earnestly favors Sunday closing; Ger
hart A. Wilson. pastor Western Presbyte-
rian Church: c. H. Butler, pastor Keller
Memorial Lutheran Church: Rev j. @. But
Ter, Luther Place Memorial Church; Rev.
Donald c. Macleod, pastor First Presbyte-
rian Church; Rev. D. W. Skellenger pastor
Sixth Presbyterian Church; Rev. F. l.. Day.
pastor West Washington M. E. Church:
Rev. w. L. Alexander, pastor Of West
Street Presbyterian Church; Rev. A. III.
Thompson. pastor Wilson Memorial NJ e.
Church; Rev. A. Norman Ward, pastor
North Carolina Avenue NJ. p. Church;