The Washington herald., 1908-03-13
HEARING ON SUNDAY CLOSING
Commissioners to Listen to Prot
estants Against Legislation.
Secretary COIcOrd, of Religious Lib
erty Bureau, Promises Hot
Fight Against Bills.

Hearing wtn BE granted this morning
to citizens and residents OF Washington
on bills before Congress relating 10 the
proposed Sunday closing laws.
Commissioner Macfarland viii call the
meeting TO order in the board room OF
the District Building at 10 O'Clock Ex-
pressions Of opinion viii be heard by
the Commissioners in the same way in
which the prohibition hearing was con-
Quoted
w n CoIcord. secretary OF the Re
ligious Liberty Bureau. has written 70
the Commissioners. saying he has inter-
viewed Jewish Rabbis Stern and Simon.
Of this city. Or. J. J. Shirley. president
Of the Secular League and Kurt Voelck-
ner. president OF the United German So
cieties. These societies viii all have rep
resentatives 10 speak against bills pend
ing. Mr.. Colcord requests that he be
put down on the schedule as the first
speaker for the negative at the hearing.
Senator Johnston. Representative Allen
and Langley, and others. have intro
duced bills in Congress bearing upon the
subject Of Sunday closing Il is TO de-
termlHe public sentiment in the District
that the Commissioners are holding the
hearing to-day.
Representative Aliens bill provides that
il is unlawful for any person TO keep
open any place of business or maintain
stand for the sale Of any articles Of
profit during Sunday. excepting the ven
ders of books and newspapers, and apoth-
ecaries for dispensing Of medicines. and
undertakers for the purpose of providing
for the dead.
The bill also provides that no public
playing of football or baseball. or any
other kind Of playing sports. psstimes
or diversions disturbing the peace and
quiet of the day shall be practiced by anv
persons in the District on Sunday. nor
shall any building operations or work
upon railroad construction be lawful on
Sunday.
For violation OF the act the person
offending is liable to fine of not less
than s., nor more than SO. In the case
OF corporation. there shall be a like
fine for every person employed in viola
tion OF the act, laid upon the corporation
offending.
II shall be sufficient defense 10 "A
prosecution for labor on the first day Of
the week that the defendant uniformly
keeps another day OF the week as the
day Of rest, and that the labor complained
of was done in such a manner as not
to interrupt or disturb other persons
in observing the first day OF the week
as day Of rest
The sale OF refreshments, liquors. to-
bacco, cigars, railroad and steamboat
tickets will not be prevented by any pro-
visions of this act. nor shall the collec-
ton OF baggage be impeded
House of Representatives bin No 1s4S3
provides that 10 keep open any place OF
business for the sale or delivery of gro
ceries, meats. vegetables, or other pro-
visions on Sunday is unlawful, except
that between June and October l meats
sold before Sunday may be delivered be
fore 10 o'clock on that day
This bill is the same as House bill No.
1873. Both Of these bills have been rec
commended by the Commissioners.
House bill No. 1929 provides that no
labor on buildings or railroads shall be
undertaken on Sunday House bill No.
13471 provides that to labor or compel
or permit others to do so. except work of
necessity or charity. or TO expose goods
for sale or keep a shop open on Sunday,
shall be unlawful. -
Senator Johnston's bill is identical with
House bill No. 1888