The Washington herald., 1910-01-28

The Johnston bill. providing a model
observance of Sunday in the District,
was passed with little discussion by the
Senate yesterday. AT the last moment
Senator Smoot incorporated a joker in
the measure that makes its provisions
futile
The Senator from Utah objected to
the use of the word sabbath. and Of
fered as substitute the words day Of
rest" which was readily accepted.
Just before the final reading and pas
sage Senator Dixon, Of Montana, who
has OPP osed the measure. pointed out
the latest defect, and Senator Gallinger
thought the objection was well taken.
but the amendment was not stricken out
Must Rest One Day.
As the bill now reads, persons who
are members Of a religious society who
observe as a day Of rest any other day
in the week than Sunday shall not be
held to have violated the provisions Of
the act"
Senator Dixon remarked that preachers
are the only persons now liable to prose-
cution under the terms Of the BILL for
working on Sunday, and even they may
prove that they rested any day during
the previous week, and thus be exempt
from the proposed penalty
SO many amendments were added to
the bill and various clauses inserted to
relieve certain classes from observing
Sunday as a day Of rest that numerous
members believe the measure fails to
achieve the results intended by its
author.
Senator Johnston. who framed the bnl
and has been jealous for more than two
years to have It passed, offered three
amendments yesterday to meet the OBJ
jections that developed on the previous
day
He classed bOotblacks and porters
among those who may labor on Sunday,
authorized the sale Of tobacco on the
/ first day OF the week. and also allowed
the use Of public conveyances. The PEN
atty was increased from $40 to go fine
and from ten days TO thirty days i'm
prisonment
Those Who May Labor.
Those who may labor on Sunday, aC-
eOrding 10 the proposed law. are: News
! paper publishers or their employees, en-
| ployes Of public service corporations
and household servants. Others may toll
on Sunday only in cases Of necessity OF
/ charity
Hereafter 1t shall be unlawful for any
| person TO engage IN any circus show OF
theatrical performance in this city, pro
vided. that the provisions Of this act
shall not be construed so as 10 prohibit
sacred concerts. nor the regular business
Of hotels and restaurants on said day: MOI
to the delivery OF articles OF food. in.
Guiding meats. at any time before L
/ o'clock in the morning Of said day from
! June 10 October 1; nor TO the sale Of milk
fruit, confectionery. ice, soda, and min
t eral waters, newspapers. periodicals, CT
/ gars, tobacco, drugs. medicines. and sur
gical appliances; nor 10 the business Of
livery stables or other public conveyances
/ or the use Of private conyeyances; no.
/ to tho handling and operation Of tn,
/ United States mail"
It was the general opinion expressed a
+ the CapitOl yesterday that the measur,
/ will not receive favorable consideration II
House, and efforts are likely 10 be mad,
/ to have further hearings
/ Simon Wolf, the well-known citizen
! said last evening that he had receive,
protests from various sections OF IN,
/ country urging that steps be taken I,
/ allow Congress TO learn Of the Widespread,
! opposition to the measure. He mafntaine,
/ that such a bill should not be enacted il
/ too great haste.