New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-05
CLERGY UP In ARMS.
See Corporation Counsel about
!Sunday Theatricals.

Clergymen opposed to Sunday theatrcals made
things lively yesterday in the corporation Coun-
sells Office. The gentlemen OF the cloth de-
manded of Mr.. Ellison that he give Commissioners
Bingham Main instructions with reference to the
uphoIding Of the law prohibiting theatrical per-
formances on Sunday. The clergymen We're not en-
tirely satisfied with the result OF their visit Ihe
committee which called on the Corporation counsel
yesterday was authorized at a mass meeting IN
January 10 protest against Sunday theatrcalS, and
the subcommittee was named 10 lay its side of the
case before Mr. Ellison who had taken up the case
against Oscar Hammerstein in connection with the
performances at the Victoria Theatre
Justice Giegerich had referred the Hammerstein
case to a referee, and the ministers through the
INSTRUMENTATION committee had determined to
wage a war on all Sunday amusements after the
Hammerstein case had been decided i'm SO far as
sending 1t to a referee was concerned.
The Rev. Edward Niles, Of THE White Church
or the BushRick Reformed Church. at Bushwick
avenue and Himrod street, Brooklyn, headed the
Subcommittee yesterday.
The committee consisted Of Canon W. s. Chase.
OF Christ Episcopal Church; the Rev. DIR. G. ID.
Case. Hanson Place baptist Church; the Rev. DR..
j. O. Wilson, Nostrand Avenue Methodist Episcopal
Church and the Rev. w A, Alexander, represent
ing the Negro clergy. all of Brooklyn; the Rev.
DR. Frank Hall. Church OF the Divine Paternity.
and the Rev F. o. Foster. Fourth Reformed
Presbyterian Church. Manhattan, and the Rev
O. P. BarnhilI First Presbyterian Church OF Sta
pleton Staten Island.
Il can interpret the law for General Bingham,
said Mr. Ellison, 'is he asks me- but to the
way in which wants to perform the duties of his
office you must excuse me from interfering"
Canon Chase said Commissioner Bingham had in
structed his inspectors and captains not to arrest
any. one on the stage in any Of the theatres. and
he said the Commissioner had been instructed oy
the Corporation Counsel not to take any more
cases to magistrates
I'VE are handicapped there" said he. We've
had convictions in Brooklyn in four cases, and If
we can go on It viii help. Would you be willing
to instruct the Commissioner to let 90 To the
magistrates"
Mr. Ellison said General Bingham had complained
Of the small fines subordinates in theatres had had
to pay. and on consultation he had decided TO go
after revocation OF the licenses lie told the min
isters If any more civil were started the
managers could get stays. and the efforts would be
futile until the present case is decided lie said he
would not interfere In any way with criminal cases
Canon Chase then criticised Mayor Mcclellan,
saying no could stop the whole business in FIVE
minutes.
I'VE feel the Mayor could and ought 20 act" said
he by even simply intimating that he wants
these places closed no could have Il done without
further DELAY and without expense. The citizens
- the city look 10 him 10 do IT, and the citizens
know that he can 90 H..
Counsel and Commissioner Bingham for what ne
termed delay IN bringing the cases 70 court and
rad stopped tteatrica!s Staten Island when the
police ard other officials would not interfere. He
said they went 20 the managers and told them they
would move against them, and the managers
one OF TIE ministers wanted to have all the
and actresses arrested. but MIR. Ellison said.
when asked that he could not advise the Police
Commissioner 20 do that ana the Commissioners
could do it II he wanted TO on his own RESPONSE
hty