The Washington herald., 1908-04-16
REST
Johnson Bill Argued Pro and
Con at Hearing.
PROFESSOR AND LABOR TILT
Johnston's AdmOnitiOn Spells Only
Promising Feature of sessiOn-see-
uIar League and seyenth-day Ad-
yentists Oppose Bills, but business
Men. and Labor Men Urge Adoption.

Whether Sunday shall be made by law
day Of rest in the District of Columbia
interested large number Of persons who
appeared at a hearing given yesterday
by Senators Johnston and Gamble. az a
subcommittee of the Ssnate District Gem
mIttee, on two bills which Mr.. Johnston
has introduced TO prohibit unnecessary
work on the first day OF the week in the
District
seventh-day Adventists were in the ma
joiaty among the opponents Of the meas
ure, but the Secular League had a large
representation present. and some warm
speeches We're made against the bill, rely
ing mainly on the contention that such
legislation as Is proposed is prohibited by
the Constitution. Business men and mer-
chants Of this city were present as advo-
Gates OF the measures, as were representa-
tives Of organized labor in the District
Churehmen Rest on Oars.
The INSTRUMENTATION League was
represented, but did not present any argu-
ment upon the bills, feeling pretty well
assured, It is understood. that some legis-
Iation to restrict Sunday work in the
District will be recommended by the Dis
triet Committee.
Mr.. F. P. B. Sands, representing the
Business Mems Association; Mr.. Charles
F. Ulggs. representing the Retail Grocers'
Protective Association. and Mr.. James L.
Feeney, representing the Central Labor
Union. favored the enactment of the pro-
posed legislation. Those who opposed It
included Mr.. William w. Prescott, Mr.
w. A. Colcord. Mr.. K. G. Russell. and
Prof David Eeeles.
Prof. Eccles, who represented himself
as q member Of the martyr class Of men
who base their belief upon the experience
Of the world rather than upon the world $
traditions, and mentioned as among his
compatroits such illustrious names as
Herbert Spencer. Darwin. and Huxley, not
TO list a number Of others, of almost
equal prominence, made an iIapas-
stoned speech. and spoke in very
sighting terms OF Senator Johnston's S
bills. considering that the Senator from
Alabama constituted half Of the tribunal
before which the professor, as repre-
sentative of the Secular League. made his
plea for Sunday license which he termed
religious liberty.
ROuses LabOr's Champion.
The professor referred 10 the labor
unions as opposed to such legislation, and
said that they had found a way to solve
the Sunday work problem by charging
time-and-a-half or double-time for work
done on the Sabbath and on holidays. He
ourled his lip in scorn as he remarked
that the pending bills proposed 10 turn
Sunday in the District from holiday"
into a holy day"
The reference TO labor unions brought
Mr.. Feeney 10 his feet, and his first words
pTeCiDitated a situation which was the
only one during the entire hearing which
did not incline the disinterested listener
TO drowsiness. Mr.. Feeney had a glitter
In his eyes as he declared that not only
was Mr.. Eccles not empowered TO repre-
sent union labor before the committee.
but the professor had made a statement
which was incorrect" Labor unions
were. he said, among the warmest friends
OF the Sunday rest bills. and he was
there 10 say so. Mr.. Eccles rose and
Senator JOhnstons Intervention spoiled
the promise OF as pretty and as spicy a
debate as one would care TO hear.
VIII Report 10 Committee.
The hearing began at O'Clock and
would have gone on ali night perhaps.
had not Senator Johnston decided about
5 O'Clock that ne had heard all that was
necessary to aid him in reaching a con-
clusiOn. Senator Gamble coincided in this
view, and the committee rose. Every
body parted IN high good humor, and the
Senators viii probably report the result
OF the hearing to the District Committee
tomorrow.