Los Angeles herald., 1910-09-26
CLERGYMEN CRITICIZE
SUNDAY THEATER VETO
Picture Shows Open in Pasadena
and CenSorS May Watch
All Performances

PASADENA, Sept 26.-As a result
of Mayor Earley's veto of the proposed
ordinance putting the lid on Sunday
shows and other amusements the two
local picture theaters opened their
doors last evening, minus the usual
vaudeville turns, and played to crowd
ed houses. 1t is considered doubtful
whether the vetoed measure will be
brought before the city council tomor-
row. for 1t is thought Councilman
Hotaling, whose vote will be necessary
TO pass the ordinance over Mayor
Earley's head, providing the other
councilmen vote as before, Will not
return from his vacation in time for
the council session. Mayor Farley is
in favor of allowing Sunday shows and
appointing a board of censors with
power to stop all performances which
are not in accordance with the city's
idea of morality
While many working people and
others were at the theaters DR. Matt
S. Hughes of the First Methodist
church was preaching to large con-
gregation against the Sunday shows
and the action Of Mayor Farley in al
lowing them to run. He said in sub
stance:
''I think, but I don't know for sure,
that Mayor Farley listened to the voice
of the city billposters when he vetoed
that ordinance. 1 have regard for the
energy of the billposters, but 1 don't
like the application of their energy.
It is up to the churehmen to become
as active as the billposters.
II have confidence in the mayor, but
not in his judgment in this case. 1
irIr ba hn yhnn
he vetoed the ordinance represents
Mayor Farley any more than 1T rep
resents the city. It is not a matter
of character but of judgment and at
titude in this case"
DR.. Hughes took as his subject 1.-THE
Economics of Christianity" He re-
piled at length to q recent communi-
cation in a local paper which stated
that the churches nave never contrib
uted a nickel to building up the COM
munity. On the basis that the mem
bership constitutes the church DR..
Hughes told of how the church ele-
ment has contributed largely to the
material welfare of the city.
He excused his handling of the ques-
ton from the standpoint of economics
rather than from a moral or intellec-
tuaI viewpoint with the statement that
local conditions necessitate such a
presentation" He declared that 1.-The
church cannot criticize of late without
being subject to abuse, printed or
spoken" and that "the only class not
entitled to an equitable hearing in mu-
nicipal affairs seems TO be the church
class" He advocated the church
members becoming more active in mu-'
nicipal affairs.
BEST USES OF SABBATH
DR.. Daniel F. Fox of the First Con-
In
terday morning spoke on 1.-THE Best
Use Of the Sabbath" He said in part:
1.-The consideration of this subject is
suggested by the conditions as they OBJ
tain at present in Pasadena, namely,
the observance of the Sabbath. But II
is in no sense a matter of personality.
We have here to consider a great fun
damental principle. There are two
great laws of life. One emphasizes
the dignity of toll and the other the
duty Of rest. 1t is with the second
we have to deal. Where man fail to
observe the second law, scientists tell
us, physical exhaustion and demoral-
ization inevitably follow"
DIR. Fox cited illustrations to prove
that a man working seven days a week
cannot recover himself. Machinery
which is run night and day throughout
the year" he continued, wears out be-
cause cohesion is lessened and the par
ticles of steel disintegrate. If mans
mind is unrelieved of constant work 1t
worries and wears until the temper be-
comes irritable and a breakdown fol-
lows. The result is less work. and
what is done Is not done well and man
dies before his time.
SUNDAY REST REQUIRED
"In other words, the law of Sun
day rest is not an arbitrary command.
1t is a beneficent provision and man
who defies it flies in the face Of all
the best elements of life. The old
fashioned Sunday quickened the brain
and created an intelligent and educated
people of moral fiber and spiritual Wis
ion. In its solitude, sanctity and sa-
credness it gave to the country that
which we most prize today.
"The peril of the present day is lack
of solitude. We will never fulfill our
mission as a nation If we turn the Chris
tian Sunday into a merry go-round and
Punch and Judy show. Let Pasadena
be a city of homes, schools, libraries,
parks and churches. These are what
made it what 1t is.
mot any of us here have a quarrel
with the theater If it presents a good
play on weekday nights, but to do so
on Sunday commentaries the day and
produces spiritual decentralization. 1t
is not needed and not wanted"
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