New-York tribune., 1907-12-18
BROADER SUNDAY NOW.
PASS DOULL ORDINANCE
Aldermen Haze LiUely Meetin=
Peters Has to Back Dorm

Py a vote of Al to IS the Board of Aldermen
Yesterday afternoon passed the original Doull
ordnance regulating Sunday amusements in
spite of the fact that the majority report of the
Committee Laws and Legislation offered q
substitute which those interested in Sunday
observance believe made some vital changes in
The original.
The DOull ordinance does meet the an
rroval Of the Interdenominational Committee
If t7a Clergy of Greater New York for the Sup
pression of Sunday Vaudeville and after its
rassage the Rev. F. NJ Foster the chairman
and Canon Chase went TO the office of Mayor
Mcclellan TO get him TO hold a public hearing
on the ordinance The Mayor had gone for the
day. but letter to him. They hope
~ public hearing to show such a sentiment
AGAINST the ordinance that the Mayor will re-
fuse to sign il. But if it is signed and becomes
= law Canon Chase will at once apply for
injunction restraining the Police Department
from enforcing the ordinance,
I believe the ordinance is not legal" said
Canon Chase last night. "as it seems to violate
Section 26s of the Penal Code forbidding all
labor on Sunday except works of necessity and
charity. / feel sure that Christian sentiment is
with US. / know that OF the Aldermen
were instructed by their district leaders how
vote That may be the voice of the people. but
doubt it The majority report of the COM
1nittee this afternoon tested the sincerity of the
DouIl ordinance The committee favored
actly what Mr.. Doull said he wanted but took
pains that nothing else should be permitted.
think that under the Doull ordinance a mild
form Of vaudeville will be allowed. but will
never get back again the wide open stage
performances
The DouIl ordinance is a copy of the present
charter provision Sunday amusements. with
the addition of a clause permitting sacred or
educational concerts, lectures and entertain
rnents that do not disturb the peace, and with
the omission In the prohibitions of the phrase
"or any other entertainment of the stage" 1t
was this omission that the ministers believed
would give q loophole for vaudeville and other
stage shows.
One Of the features of the meeting Of the board
was the rurnpus kicked up by Alderman Henry
clav Peters when President MCGOWAN refused
him permission to speak The privileges of the
floor have not been allowed him since he made
an insulting reference 10 Mayor Mcclellan.
some weeks ago
Alderman Mullisan has the aoor," said Presi-
dent MCGOWAN blandly. when Alderman Peters
sought to be recognized
Il demand a right TO be heardr' shouted AL
derrasn Peters.
The alderman will take his seatr' declared
President MCGOWAN. banging his gavel vigor-
ously.
y refuse to sit down" shouted Alderman
Peters.
BY this time President McGowan's gavel was
beating on the desk with the staccato effect OF
a pneumatic riveting machine. and Alderman
Peters was shouting loud that those next to
him could scarcely hear each other. sergeant
alarms on each side was trying to force him
into his seat.
Il will call a policeman and have you put
outi' said President MCGOWAN
You will do so at your peril" was the de-
fant reply. You are prostituting your Office to
abuse me. You have risen from a barkeeper to
your present position and it has turned your
head"
President MCGOWAN remained remarkably cool
through all the abuse by Alderman Peters. who
finally sat down when he a policeman COM
ing down the aisle.
Later when his reached on the roll
call, ne tried 10 explain how he wanted TO vote.
but President MCGOWAN would not listen, and
again there was contest between the stem |
torian cries of Alderman Peters and the rapid |
blows Of President McGowans gaveL Il shall |
take; legal proceedings to secure my rights, |
cried the alderman, who did not sit down until |
he was out of breath, and then he forgot to |
cast vote way or the other
The standing room only" sign was out early |
again in the aldermanic chamber, Long before |
the board had reached the consideration of the |
Sunday observance ordinance every seat in the |
gallery had been taken. and a number OF actors |
vaudeville managers and amusement hall pro- |
prietors had crowded in the ground floor. |
The clerk read the report Of the Committee on |
Laws and Legislation, of which Alderman |
Sturges is chairman. As has been said, IL mace
some changes in the Doull ordinance Then
Alderman Morris got the floor to present mi
nority report which recommended the adoption
Of the Douu ordinance as proposed. President
MCGOWAN announced the question was on the
consideration Of the minority report. the adop-
ton OF which would carry with 1t the passage
Of the Doul ordinance
Alderman Morris said the changes made by
the majority report were merely In phraseology,
not in substance Alderman Sturges said there
some vital omissions IN the Doull ordi-
nance, which his report had tried TO make good.
Alderman Doul contended that the substitute
conficted with the Penal Code. and he did not
believe it would receive the sanction of the Cor
poration Counsel. his ordinance had done
u have received here a letter which seems to
be an attempt TO intimidate me-" said Alderman
George Everson of Brooklyn. jumping to his
feet He then read the letter which pointed
out how Alderman Mooney, who had introduced
the ordinance permitting Sunday baseball two
years ago. had been defeated for reelection
II you vote for Sunday vaudeville you will have
. chance TO regret it." the letter concluded. 1t
was signed by Canon Chase, who later said his
object in writing IL had been 20 appeal TO the
Aldernan's conscience
Not all the many letters I have received are
u favor Of closing things tight said Alder
man Everson- We have thousands OF people
who want innocent amusement on Sunday
fhis brought out hearty applause from certain