Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-03-24
SUNDAY 1HEATERS
IN SALT LAKE
Councilman Wells Ordinance
Still SIumbers in the
Committee.
LEGISLATURE WILL BE ASKED
TO Enact Laws IL City Council Re-
fuses to Pass Proposed
Ordinance.

The News" IL In receipt of many
inquiries regarding the fate Of the
proposed ordinance introduced into the
city council months ago on the closing
OF theaters on Sunday. Investigation
develops the fact that the ordinance
was introduced By Councilman Wells
last fall; several hearings were given
in the committee. but the election came
on and the ordinance was either
smothered, or allowed to die natural
death. on March 9th Councilman
Wells re-introduced his ordinance. and
II was referred to the committee on
municipal laws with the city attorney
associated The proposed ordinance
does not restrict sacred concerts,
held on the Sabbath and II was the
intention to have the city attorney
render an opinion az to what consti-
tutes a sacred concert. As yet no opin-
ion has been rendered on the matter.
and the ordinance still lies peacefully
In the committees pouch IN the city
recorders office.
II is reported that the local minister
ial associat ton, as well as other citi-
zens who believe that Salt Lake CITY
should observe a Christian sabbath
will demand that action be taken, ana
that the loud and disorderly shows
seen in the cheaper theaters Sunday
nights should be prohibited here, as
they are In New York, Philadelphia
Boston. Cleveland, and other places.
Mr. Wells states that he VIII Insist on
having the matter disposed Of and he
hopes that all citizens Interested viii
attend the hearings SO that the best
representative opinion can be obtained.
As far as the show houses them
selves are concerned. the matter stands
thus.
The Salt Lake Theater has always
refused to open its doors on Sundays
for any theatrical Purposes
The Grand claims that IL Is forced Ia
open by the action of its competitors.
but II would be more than pleased Ia
give its employees rest on Sunday II
| other houses would do the same.
The Orpheum has thus far opposed
| sunday night performances but the
management frankly say that II the
| city council allows other houses 10 run
and is willing TO license them for sesven
| nights a week, the Orpheum will make
It's bookings TO that end next year.
The Lyric management run openly
y Nuu ChltI w Nlt phnLh1 hibAN AptAlh-
, gent, while the cheap ten-eent houses
do the same.
The question is one on which there Is
q great deal Of public feeling and the
strong religious sentiment Of the COM
muniiy 1t Is expected will crystalline
into some form OF action. Just what
that action will be seems as yet un-
certain, but leading citizens say that
the Legislature viii be appealed TO II
the city council disregards the senti-
ment against wide open" Sundays.
The following Is a copy Of Mr.. Wells
proposed ordinance, as II now slum-
| bers:
An ordinance concerning theaters and
| theatrical productions.
Be It ordained by the city council OF
| Salt Lake City, Utah:
Section Whoever shall on Sunday
| take part In. or In any manner aid
| abet or promote any theatrical or tra-
matic performance. or any secular show
| or exhibition In any thester. hall. play
house or public place OF amusement
| shall be deemed guilty OF mlsdemean-
or. This ordinance does not include
| sacred concerts.
Section 2-This ordinance shall take
| effect upon approval