The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-04-13
Mayor Billiard FaYOrs Allowing
Theatres to Run.
Would Let Working People See
Shows on Sabbath.
HE WILL AID CAUSE.
City's Head to Fight for Change
in Present Law.
Farce" Chief Executive Terms
Law Enforcement.

I stand for open theaters on Sun
day. believe that the working peo-
pie of this city have right to go to
the theater on Sunday. If a show is
bad on Sunday it is bad on Tuesday or
Wednesday. 1 understand that petit
tions are being circulated just now to
bring this matter before the commits
sion for action. If the matter is
brought to my attention, I shall be
glad to do anything in my power to
secure open theaters on Sunday for
the people of Topeka
There is Mayor Billiards. answer to
the question propounded to him this
morning by a State Journal man.
What will you do with regard to open
theaters on Sunday?"
That the mayor meant what he said
with reference to the same subject
Mayor Billiard said: This town is no
longer a village-it'S a city. Within
its limits are thousands of working
people-men who toll from Monday
morning until Saturday night. These
people have no time to go to any place
of amusement during the week, for
the reason that they are never away
from their work except at night and
then they are worn out. The only day
that is their own to do with as they
will, within the bounds of law and
order and good citizenship, is Sunday.
day they have to seek pleasure with
their wives and children. These peo-
pie have as much right to see play
on Sunday. as the man of means and
position has to witness it on Tuesday.
And what's more, they are going to
have the opportunity if I have any
thing to say Sunday is a day of rest
and should be one of pleasure and
happiness. We are living in the goth
century today. Blue laws were the
order of the day in the 18th century,
but they are failures today. There
is no more harm in seeing good
show on Sunday than in taking
walk
Sunday Closing Farce.
II understand that the law gov
erning labor on Sunday keeps the
theaters closed, that they are shut
because actors and others connected
with them, have to work. also
further know that that law declares
that no manner of work shall be done
on Sunday except such as is absolutely
required All other labor is in viola
ton of the law. Now 1 stand for the
absolute enforcement of every law. l
am sworn to enforce them, and shall
do nv duty. The law as it is at pres
ent carried out is a farce-tt is en-
against another. I shall not allow
this condition of affairs. The opera
ton of soda fountains is not necessary
ON Sunday nor is the selling of cigars
vet they are all sold every Sunday.
Street cars are not necessary on sum
day in any sense of the word as view
the matter. If it is all right for
drug clerk to sell cigars and soda and
for motorrnen to operate a street car,
IT is also proper for an actor to work
1.-The point I wish to make is simply
this: I am going to enforce that law
to the letter If one class has the right
tc. violate the law then all have. L am
going TO enforce this Sunday. closing
ordinance to the limit. shall give all
square deal. If one opens they all 90
If orc closes they all do. L consider this
sunday closing measure very bad
law. The best way to repeal a bad
law is TO enforce it. That's what pro-
pose to do.
is presented to me. shall present the
matter TO the commission and do every
thing in my power to secure Tor the
working people and for everybody the
right to go to a theater on Sunday.
I have not looked closely into the mat
ter as vet but / shall do so and expect
to succeed in making some change IN
existing conditions
Will Have Good Support.
That the mayor will have the abso-
iuteiy solid support of the liberal ele-
ment of Topeka is certain. He has a
strong Importer in Commissioner Mil
Ter, who stated in his platform before
the recent election that he favored a
change in the present law. 1t is ex-
pected that now that the mayor has
publicly stated his position in the
treulises, immediate action will be ta-
ken in the matter of rushing the sign
known that hundreds of names have
been signed to them and 1t is under
stood that many more will be added
before they are completed.
Mayor Billiard will have bitter oppo-
sition from the church people in this
fight to reopen the theaters. They re-
gard the matter as a moral issue and
are. it is declared, going to fight the
proposition to the last ditch. In view
OF the mayors announcement that he
will let the people enjoy a real tight
Sunday il something is not done, it
will be interesting to learn what posi-
ton the church folks take in the mat
ter.
RaIston Steers Clear.
City Attorney Ralston steered clear
of direct answer of the question of
law enforcement. when asked about the
Sunday law this morning. Is the op
Grafton of a street car necessary in the
eyes of tho law?" Ralston was asked.
-"rhat is a question for the courts
to decide replied the city's legal rep
resentative. with a smile.
Some action is expected to be taken
in the matter within the next few days
and a warm fight may be hooked for.
A rather quiet session was held this |
morning by the mayor and board of
commissioners. Introduction of an
ordinance providing for the appoint |
rnent of a civil service board, by the |
board was the feature of the meeting. |
Commissioner Tandy is the author of
the proposed measure. Under its terms |
the board is to consist of three menu |
bers, who are to serve without pay and |
who are to be appointed by the COM
rnissioners. This is the first step to- |