The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-11

The Union Ministers association today
appointed a committee 10 investigate tn,
proposed establishment OF a theatre In
Roger Williams park, and II deemed ad
visable to appear before the city council
In opposition TO IT,
Resolutions favoring Fairgrounds and
other matters were adopted. and a com
mittee was appointed to appear before
the city council committee in favor of
establishing an eight-hour day for city
laborers.
Rev. ]. " Osterhout said he understood
there was a proposition to establish a
vaudeville show at Roger Williams Park
and that perhaps later IL would be open
on Sundays. He said that II was proposed
by Jules Jordan, who stands high in
musical circles, but he thought IL the
theatre was allowed II would cause him
10 lose the respect OF many.
Mr.. Osterhout said that the theatre
would be a Sabbath desecration. a jeo-
pardy 10 the young and disgrace 10 the
city, and In his motion DR. Archibald
McCord Rev. j. V. Osterhout and Rev.
f. +. Studley were appointed committee
as before stated TO oppose the proposition.
The meeting was then devoted to the
consideration OF the park and playground
and the public comfort station questions.
Rev. A. B. Cristy outlined what had
faid that these things would tend to keep
men out OF the saloons. Reading and
coffee rooms had been tried. but had
proved no real substitute for the saloons.
He said that Fairgrounds. where the
parents could go with the children, and a
Saturday half-hollday for working people
would do much to prevent Sabbath desc
Grafton by those who now use Sunday
for recreative purposes.
Mr. Cristy then introduced w. L. Coop.
who described the playground movement In
other cities, and said that the playground
idea had come 10 stay and that Provi-
dence should be educated 10 1t.
Mr. Cristy then introduced Thomas Car
ney of the Central Labor union, who said
that the average workingman had made
up his mind that he must work for a
living and that in order to secure some
benefits OF social recreation they had
taken up the question OF public play
grounds and small parks. and had already
begun an effort 10 secure Saturday half
holiday.
He said that the man who works 10
hours each day has but little opportunity
for social Improvement, and he believed
that the working people should have
proper leisure IL they did not they
would have but little use for other small
parks or a large one.
Mr.. Carney spoke In favor OF public
comfort stations. and said that IL at
every lamp post there was a drinking
fountain of ice water there would be less
resort TO saloons.
He also suggested that the saloons be
required 10 close on every holiday and
advocated that the streets in the congest-
ed districts should be watered TO give the
people who have to seek air by sitting on
the doorstep or the curbing relief from
the heat and dust.
Mr.. Cristy called attention 10 the fact
that In August the national convention of
the Total Abstinence union will be held
in this city. He believed Il would do moro
for the temperance cause in this city and
state than anything yet done. AS about
1000 delegates would be here. there would
be difficulty in providing commodations
for so many, and he suggested that the
association do what II could to assist
Mr.. Cristy then presented the follow
fng resolutions, which were adopted:
Resolved. That the union ministers
meeting Of Providence and vicinity heart
fly endorses the plans OF His Honor Mayor
Dyer for providing public comfort sta
tions at convenient points and for using
the school yards and small parks In the
populous sections for the use of the fam
flies Of such neighborhoods and for
watering the streets In such neighbor-
hoods during the summer-and we ask
for the hearty support OF all officials and
citizens for such plans that our city may
enjoy the benent at as early date as
possible.
Resolved, That we recommend that all
employers OF labor should so arrange the
lawful hours which constitute full week $
work as TO permit a half holiday on n
week day. especially during the months
from May 10 October. and that we thus
recommend In order that such laborers
may have no reasonable excuse for turn
Ing Sunday into a day for public sports
Resolved That we learn with pleasure
OF the coming meeting In August OF the
national convention OF the Catholic Total
Abstinence societies In this city. and that
we extend hearty welcome to its dele
gates and that we trust that great good
may result TO our city and state from
this great meeting.
Daniel Coleman OF the Building Trades
Council then spoke Of the effort 10 secure
an eight-hour day that II would allow
them to have a Saturday half holiday and
secure the benefits OF the public parks
and he asked the cooperation OF the as
sociation.
II was then voted that committee Of
three be appointed 10 speak at the public
hearing by the city council committee on
Thursday evening in favor Of the eight
hour day: and Dr McCord and Messrs.
Wright and Marvey were appointed