The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-05-27

MemDeTS or the BrldSeport PaS- tors association have ordained that Bridgeport workingmen are to have not summer resort this season.
 The management of Steeplechase Island announced today that thanks to the efforts of certain members of the Pastors Association, the island has rescinded all its plans and will not open this season. The pur- chasers of concessions were called to- gether today and their money re- funeded to them.
 The closing of the island was or dered by Owner George c. Tilyou morrow's ball game has been forbid den.
 Believing from past experience that this is but the forerunner of a whole season of interference upon the part the Bridgeport dominies MT. Tilyou decided to call off the whole matter.
 Two months ago the Board of Trade urgently solicited MT. Tilyou to open the summer resort. They believe that it means a great deal to Bridgeport, both to the business men and to the working, people, who are cooped up in factories all the week
 
 on the seventh day.
 Plans were laid accordingly and a force of men set to work laying out the island for the reopening. Extra attractions were to be brought here and nothing spared to make the fs- land a bright and pleasing summer resort.
 Upon being notified that the pro- posed baseball game tomorrow at Steeplechase Island would be stop ped by the local authorities, Capt. Paul Boyton, representative of Own once to MT. Tilyou at Coney Island relative to the matter.
 Capt. Boyton, after the conversa- tion called all the concessionaires to- gether and announced that the is- land will not be opened this season. He said:
 'Mr Tilyou has decided that Steeplechase Island will not be open ed this season although he has al- ready spent several thousands of dollars making improvem He said that he was induced to come here on the invitation of the Bridge port Board of Trade. He felt that there is a need for a family resort at Bridgeport but if we cannot run the island as we like without brook ing outside interference, it is better to close early in the game and call it off
 "Mr. Tilyou supposed that the in- vitation of the Board of Trade meant that he would have local support and could proceed to run such amuse- ments as were clean and profitable. MT. Tilyou Is at a loss to know why Steeplechase Island should be picked out by the Pastors Association as the only place in Bridgeport where base ball cannot be played on Sunday afternoon.
 'In and about the city in a dozen places games are played on Sunday where there is not either a charge or a contribution taken up to sup port the sport. This protest comes before the Island even is opened up and is undoubtedly a forerunner of trouble that would be experienced all through the season if the place were to be opened.
 MT. Tilyou has instructed me to return to you gentlemen and all the other concessionaires the full amount of money which you have, paid for your privileges here and he regrets very much that he has offered you inducements that he is unable to full fill.
 President Gerald H. Beard of the To- cal Pastors Association, pastor of the Park Street Congregational church. when asked today if the Pastors As- soclat1on made the protest against Sunday baseball which has resulted in the closing of Steeplechase Island for the summer said:
 ''The association does not meet until Monday, and has not taken action as an Organization. It intended to do so, however, and it is quite likely that protests have been made by individual members
 MT. Beard was asked if he had made any personal protest He replied, laughingly:
 ''I have made no public protest, but of course the authorities know where I stand in the matter"
 Rev. George M. Brown, pastor of the First M. E. church, corroborated MT Boards statement He said that the association has not taken cognizance of the proposed Sunday games at the island. He didn't know whether in dividUal members had done so or not