New-York tribune., 1909-05-18
MAYOR TAXES A HAND
y CONEY ISLAND SHOWS.
Limits Licenses to Sir Days to Test
Justice Carr's Decision.

Nfavor Mcclellan. to obtain from the courts an
early decision on whether common Sunday SHOWS
are permissible in Coney Island under the law mas
directed Frank oliver. chief of the LicensS Bureau
NOT TO issue license for than six days Mr.
oliver issued four licenses yesterday, and in each
OF them this clausei
In consideration of receiving this license, The IN
dersiened lcensee hereby stipulates and covenants
not, to operate or open the above mentioned show
on Sundays
1T is the deliberate intention Of the Mayor TO
test the decision under which the show people at
Coney Island have managed to run their shows on
Sunday" =" said Mr oliver last night THE theat-
rjcal people who are bound by the Sunday law, In
sisted that the city treat all theatrical interests
alike. and for that reason the Mayor determined
to limit the shows at Coney Island to six days a
week
The peopIe operating Ferris wheels switchbacks
and other Ike amusements think that they do not
under the head Of theatrical exhibitions The
Mayor in doubt about the classification OF theat-
rcal exhibitions. and to get an early decision re-
quested 20 limit licenses 70 six days
Justice Carr decided recently, in effect that the
Mayor could not issue six day licenses This de-
csion the Mayor intends to test.
Police Commissioner Bingham. when asked yes
terday about the enforcement of the Sunday law
at Coney Island, said
From what can find out, the Sunday law was
properly enforced. NY orders were TO enforce the
law. The big places generally obey, but old give
orders to have the little places obey the law
strictly There were especial instructions dis
tinguishinE one place from another. The orders
were 10 stop drinking after hours and cut the
gambling out, IL possible. There was no especial
desire to close up Coney Island
Gambling at the island has got to stop and the
excise law has got to be enforced. regardless Of
what the violators may say Deputy Commits
soner Hanson, the Corporation Counsels office and
Inspector Russell now working on the matter
Of the policing Of the Bowery. and they will decide
upon something very shortly"
TbOmDEOn the DVOpTietOT of Luna Park,
said yesterday:
II had posted the entire city Of New York as
well Brooklyn. with announcement to the effect
that Luna Park is The place for your wife, YOUR
mother your sister and your sweetheart. This is
not a policy. II has been the policy of Luna
Park ever since the creation OF the place. and the
fact that have always closed at u p. proves
that patronage does not wish to remain later
A meeting was held in the administration building
OF Drcamand yesterday with representatives OF
every important amusement place island
present. Samuel W. Gumpertz. general manager OF
Dreamland. presided. He said that the police had
shut up the circuses in spite of the fact that they
free. and that the highhanded methods
had been used elsewhere.
1t decided 10 join with the 3Ist Ward Board
Of Trade in personal appeal to Mayor Mcclellan
on Thursday morning They will ask that inter
ference with the orderly conduct Of the concessions
be stopped and that the Bowery, sidewalks and
beaches receive police protection Unless this action
is taken by the Mayor and Commissioner Bingham
It Is planned get court orders forcing them TO
show why they should not sccede to the de-
mands Of the show proprietors
About two hundred Of those who control privileges
along the Bowery formed organization yesterday
to stand a unit in whatever action may be
decided on They discussed the withdrawal Of the
police with regard TO protection from fire The
police carry keys to the boxes. and the showmen
say that In case of FIRE damage and loss of life
might result because Of failure 10 turn in ar alarm
promptly. Insurance rates are already prohbitive
they say, and will go higher II the present plan OF
action is continued.