The San Francisco call., 1906-07-08
THEATERS SHOULD
CLOSE SUNDAYS.
Mayor Thinks Actorsand
Musicians Require a
Day Off Every Week
Favors an Ordinance
Compelling Managers
to Observe Sabbath

Mayor Schmitz yesterday expressed
himself strongly in favor of closing all
theaters on Sunday. His Honor is in
receipt of a communication from the
Actors Church Alliance of America,
which has been making strenuous ef-
forts for some time to close all theaters
on Sunday. Speaking of the letter the
Mayor said:
II am of the opinion that all those
who are obliged to work for their liv-
ing should have one day of rest each
week. The life of the actor is hard
one and he is entitled to his day of
recreation the same as any other man
who fights the battle of life.
Il favor this suggestion of the alli-
ance to such an extent that 1 would
recommend the drafting of an ordi-
nance compelling the management of
every 1heater in our city to close the
doors on the Sabbath. This ordinance
would also be the means of helping the
musicians to obtain a day off on Sun
day. They, like the actors. are COM
PEELED to work seven days a week"
Following is a copy of the letter
which the Actors Church Alliance has
sent to the Mayor and clergymen of
every denomination in this city:
To the Honorable the Mayor of San
Francisco:
Dear Sir-You will remember per-
haps that the Actors Church Alliance
had the melancholy pleasure of sending
you words of sympathy in the awful
disaster that overlook your beautiful
city. The world looked on with ad-
miration at the noble bravery of your
people in meeting their sorrows, en-
ample and that of your municipal coun-
Gil and your fellow citizens generally.
The object of this letter is to con-
my official capacity by prominent
actor, which has since been indorsed
by the action of the National Council
of Actors Church Alliance. namely. that
your beautiful opera house and thea
ters will be rebuilt. you should, on is
ances, insert a clause prohibiting Sun
day performances-except actual con-
certs of elevating music mot the So
called illegal Sunday concerts of New
York. steps to stop which are now be-
ing actively taken).
Now, this proposition is not made to
you on the religious or Sabbatarian
ground (however much some of our
members might feel on this question:
but solely In response to the most earn
est appeal from the players them
selves to be given the Sunday rest. Men
and women who are working in stock
and other companies seven days a
week throughout the West for months
| together become broken down in body
and mind and is it any wonder when
| the usual strain of their work is con-
sidered, added to which is the vast
amount OF travelling lndI the sunday
rest is a positive necessity to them?
1t is only the greed for gold of the
managers that causes said action
which is in most cases a mistaken
! policy. as a full house Sunday means a
! poor house Saturday and a slim house
! Monday. The players dare not protest
/ to the managers, as such action would
mean dismissal and blacklisting
1 throughout the country.
! This society, the A. c. A, has for its
/ primary object the aiding of the play
er to obtain a Sunday rest Surely. sir,
as leader of organized labor In city
that is famous for its development of
organized labor and the splendid con.
dition of the working people, you will
sympathize with this cry from fellow
laborers whose desire is to cheer and
brighten the minds of their fellow
citizens.
l trust you will give this matter
your most careful consideration and
express the assurance that If in any
way the alliance can help in this mat
ter you have only to command the SER
vices of yours faithfully,
F. j. CLAY MORAN, B. D.,
Chairman National Law Committee,
Actors Church Alliance.