The sun., 1908-12-27
70 EAFGH SUNDAY SHOWS
POLICE GET ORDER FROM BING-
HAM TO ENFORCE THELAW.
But Jast What the Law IL He Adults lie
Doeen't know-viated by the Man
agers, Headed by Percy Williams
The Corporation Counsel Consulted.

Doesn't know-visited by the Man.
agers, Headed by Percy Williams
The Corporation Counsel Consulted
A small army Of theatrical managers
went TO the office Of Police Commissioners
Bingham yesterday to learn just where
they stood in regard TO their shows to-
day. When the Mayor on Thursday issued
his order to the police to close up moving
picture exhibitions the Police Commits
sioner invited theatrical managers to
meet him yesterday to talk over the
situation
The theatrical men wanted to know
what kind Of programme they could
put on to-day without police interference.
them as definitely as they expected him
to do.
He said that the. decisions of the higher
courts were not very clear on this point,
and he was trying to do the best he could
under the present condition of affairs.
| There was large delegation from the
New York theatrical Officers League.
William Grossman, counsel for the league,
acted as spokesman for the delegation,
The booking houses were represented by
Lawyer Morris Goodman.
Percy Williams. president OF the New
York Theatrical Mems Protective Asso-
citation. did much Of the talking for the
vaudeville people.
Mr.. Williams asked the Commissioner
about the moving pictures that were
sometimes exhibited as a part of the
weekday vaudeville performances. Such
al .oI.
costs $500 year; the moving picture
exhibitions are operated under license
that costs only SIS year.
The Commissioner would not give any
definite response to MIR. Williams.
Il would suggest that ycu take no
chances on Sundays. / have received
my orders and am going to carry them
out. was Gen. Bingham's reply.
"Will moving picture shows in theatres
be olosed?" asked Mr.. Williams.
Most assuredly,' was the Commits
sioner's response.
"A Supreme Court Justice has ruled
that such shows are legal" went on the
spokesman for the showmen.
The Commissioner said there was not
a very clear understanding as to what
the Courts decision prohibited and what
1t allowed. He added that he had re-
quested the Corporation Counsel to give
an opinion. He was asked IL he had any
objection to the lawyers for the theatrical
men comforting with the Corporation
Counsel ss to the Sunday, exhibitions
as defined by law and he said he had not.
The lawyers present set out for the office
Of the Corporation Counsel
Some Of the theatrical men present
said they intended to 60 ahead and give
their shows anyway. They said the
interpretations OF the Sunday law differed
so widely in the courts and the Police
- N0R.t kaA
could not follow all Of them.
Later In the afternoon the Commits
sioner received copy OF the Corporation
CounselB opinion. After going over it
carefully he had 9 general order sent out
to all the police commanders in which
was Incorporated an abstract of the opin-
ion. and he ordered that Its provisions be
enforced.
sThe provisions OF the law relating to
the observance Of Sunday are contained
in sections 263 and 277 OF tho Penal Code
and the ordinances adopted by the Board
OF Aldermen on December 1a, 1907 read
the general order.
. -, The following public performance
tragedy. comedy, opera, ballet or farce
or any part thereof. Negro minstrelsy.
Any dancing fdancing by persons who are
not performers and which forms no part
Of any exhibition but which is merely for
the pleasure OF tho participants as In the
case Of ball given by club or associa-
ton does not come within this prohibition).
Wrestling. boxing. with or without
gloves; sparring contests. trials Of
strength or any part thereof. Cirouses
OF equestrian performances, dramatic
performances or any performance OF
juggleTs. Aorobats or any club perform
ances. Rope. dancing; any theatrical
play or sketch as part thereof. with or
without theatrical costume; any vaude-
vile show; any imperponation of any
character, with or without costume; any
singing which Ia given in costume.
Any moving picture given in a play
or part Of play.
The following are permitted and should
not be interfered with by you:
Orchestra or other instrumental music
or vocal music played or sung. but not
in connection with any theatrical ex-
hibition, nor in costume. Lectures and
Rotations. forming no part Of any the
atrical piece.
Moving pictures illustrating lectures
Of an instructive or educa tional character.
"In conclusion will say that In view
of the very drastic and comprehensive
terms OF the law l think il any doubt
arises in the mind OF the officer sent to
enforce its provisions as to whether or
not any particular thing is allowable
or prohibited he should lean rather to
the latter conclusion and allow the court