Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-25
Glen Echo Sunday Closing War
Expected to Spread.
THREAT OF THE MANAGERS
Say They Will Close and Make Other
Maryland Resorts Do Same.
MAYOR ISSUES STATEMENT
Tells Of Events Leading Up to
Wholesale Arrests of Amuse- /;
ment Park Employees.

Every recreation resort in MARYLAND
from Baltimore to Cumberland. from
the Potomac river to the Pennsylvania
line, which is providing Sunday amuse-
ments for its patrons may be drawn into
the little war that is involving every
man. woman and child that dwells in Glen
Echo. Every soda water stand every
Ice cream parlor, every cigar shop
and even the drug stores that do
a Sunday business may have to get
into the fight, 1t Is declared. IL they
would keep open on the Sabbath
The amusement park at Glen Echo,
following the arrest and imposition OF
fines upon nearly every employe last
night. on the charge OF violating the
Sunday laws OF Maryland. has decided
to close up on Sunday-for the present
But that is not the end. and the amuse-
ment park authorities are bent upon
finding out, II the law is to he en-
forced at Glen Echo. why IT is not
equally the law and as imperatively
the public duty to enforce IL else
whore in the state
The law is state wide. and older than
the colonization Of Maryland prohibit
ing all manner Of Sunday business, and
can be set aside only by direct legsla
ton. It is part OF the common law
OF England, brought to the colony when
chartered. and adopted as the law of the
colony, and, later, Of the state.
Affects Whole State.
The enforcement Of the law would affect
every community in Maryland, it is ex-
planned. The possibility that this could
be done is remote and an attempt would
undoubtedly arouse a protest that would
place some form of modification on the
statute books. This is the view taken
by the Glen Echo amusement park au-
thorities, and they are consulting counsel
to see il this is not the best way TO
go about 1t to provide amusements for
the Sunday visitors.
The big resorts at various places near
Washington and Baltimore, in Maryland
would be affected. 1t is declared, by any
proposal to enforce the blue laws. Their
influence 1t Is to be expected, would be
united to oppose enforcement or to Sc
cure more liberal legislation.
John Mcmahon. press agent OF the Glen
Echo Park, told today Of the plan under
consideration by the park management.
The ways and means are not yet deter
mined and are q matter OF consultation
with counsel The park management 10
said to be amply provided with funds ano
able advisers to carry the fight to con-
clusion.
voir that supplies the dwellings in the
town Of Glen Echo and the amusement
park reported by Mayor Witkowski to
be in an insanitary condition, does not
to visitors at the amusement park. as
serts Mr.. Mcmahon.
District Water Imported.
Carloads Of barreled water are being
brought daily to the park from Washing
ton, says Mr.. Mcmahon. and not a drop
of the Glen Echo supply has been used
for drinking purposes Even the pump
near the big pavilion, so popular on hot
nights, has been disconnected since last
Wednesday, is his assurance.
Seventy-two warrants were issued
for employees of the amusement park
last night. and all but five Of them
served. Fifty-three were assessed fines
that aggregated s59360. Those VIII"
have not yet been served with war
rants will be served tonight, it IS de-
clared, and their cases disposed OF.
Charles A. Winslow, proprietor OF
the soda fountain and ice cream stand
at the park. put up 500 collateral Tor
himself and thirteen employees. and
says he will fight the charge against
them. He takes the position that ice
cream and soda water is lawfully sold
all over the state and elsewhere in
Montgomery county, and will oppose
punishment that does not include all
engaged in the same business.
Mayor Issues Statement.
A statement OF his part in the fight
of Sunday, when he claims to have
been roughly handled by three town
councilmen and the town clerk Of Glen
Echo while attempting to turn of the
water supply. is made today by Mayor
Witkowski. He says:
so much has appeared in the news
papers regarding the condition and dis
turbance at Glen Echo. Nd, Sunday and
Monday that I deem 1t necessary that a
statement be made by me mayor OF
the town calling attention to the true
condition of affairs. | would ask that the
public suspend judgment until both sides
OF the case are presented In court and
the real and true facts are thus legally
brought out.
For days during the two weeks pre-
ceding Sunday, July %. the town was
without water in many Of the homes or
the citizens, and it was necessary for
water to be carried from Washington for
purposes and sold at the village
store Water was also brought from
springs located some distance away by
the town people for drinking and cooking.
Many Washington people who live in
Glen Echo found II necessary to come to
the city to battle, 1t being entirely out OF
the question to get sufficient water for
this purpose.
DIR j. B. Hubbel. secretary to Clara
Barton, former head OF the Red Cross,
with me to take steps to do
to relieve the situation. as he
feared there might be an epidemic Of ty-
phoid or other contagious disease II We
did not get more water. He, as the larg
est property owner in the town. urged
me to take steps to get sufficient water
supply, and other citizens appealed to me
In this connection. Last Friday, as the
water had given out completely. Robby
Husband accompanied me to the source
of the Glen Dcho water supply.
Found Reservoir Empty.
"The reservoir, which is fed by springs.
was found to be entirely empty. with the
exception of a puddle Of muddy water in
the center Of the basin. The only water
that was running into II was running
iown a v-shaped trough from the pipe
where the water flows into the reservoir
20 a box in the center, where Il empties
nto the pipes supplying Glen Echo town
and park. This trough was leaking SO
,adly that il was necessary for myself