The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1912-07-16
Theaters, Moving Picture Shows and
Dance Halls Must Not Operate
On the Sabbath.
GUNSALUS LICENSE ATTACKED
Charges Filed That He has Been a
Violator of Laws and Not Fit to
Run a Saloon.

Calling for the closing on Sunday
OF all moving picture shows, theaters,
dance halls, and other places of pub
lie amusement to which an admission
fee is charged, an ordinance to regu-
late the theater, moving picture and
dance hall business in Bemidii was
introduced into the council Monday
night.
The ordinance is drastic and was
drawn by City Attorney Russell with
view of correcting existing abuses
which have grown up in connection
with these amusements. If passed.
the ordinance will prohibit the show
ing OF any moving pictures, of any
prize tight, or boxing match, or any
ieWd, immoral or suggestive pictures
or play or scene. 1t will also prohibit
pictures of stage coach hold-ups or
Tue pursuit or capture of robbers.
A section of the ordinance provides
that girls under the age of sixteen
shall not be allowed to attend dances
under any circumstances, nor if she
is between the ages of sixteen and
eighteen unless accompanied bv
parent or older member of the family
or male escort of known good moral
character. The turkey trot. bunnv
mug grizzly bear and other indecent
dances are fatty prohibited. Failure
10 observe the ordinance and convic-
ton will carry a fine of NOT mara
IMAM 500 nor more than sixty DAYS
IN the county Jail.
E. w. Hannah came ont Aat1v
against the provision calling for the
closing of theaters and other amuse-
ments on Sunday and suggested that
the ordinance be made over into two
one regulating dance halls and one
moving pictures. The suggestion did
not meet with the approval of the
otner members as it was learned that
amendments would accomplish the
same purposes. 1t seemed to be the
general opinion of the council men,
oers that such an ordinance is needed
in Bemidji.
Gunsalus License Attacked.
Presenting complaint chargine
Harry Gunsalus with selling Iiouor
to Indians, keeping open on Sunday.
selling to minors, habitual drunkards.
and otherwise violating state and citv
laws, u. II. Fisk, as attorney for Will
liam Begsley, asked that no action be
taken in the application of Gunsalus
Tor a transfer of liquor license until
the matter was settled. The council
decided to lay the application on the
table until the next meeting.
The charges against Gunsalus ara
that on January 2, 1912, he sold and
delivered liquor to John C. Rogers.
an Indian, and received payment
therefor; and that on June 8, 1912.
ne again sold liquor to the same said
Rogers. The complaint was accom-
panied by aftidavits from Rogers stat
ing that he was an Indian and that
he had received the liquor as stated.
IN the complaint. The complaint fur
Their alleged that Gunsalus was unfit
to engage in the saloon h,,c;Dose o,5
asked that his license be revoked.
"Begsley is no better than the In
dian that got that liquor said Tom
Smart. "He was sued on a note and
is. just trying to get even" Mr..
Smart's statement started a discus-
sion which ended by the laying on
the table of the application for trans
fer 1t appeared to be the opinion of
the council that the charges should
be investigated by the MAYOR and
Gunsalus' name either cleared or
his license revoked.
Boat Houses to Be Regulated.
An ordinance was introduced
which If passed will limit the build
ing OF boat houses to the shore south
OF Fourth street and north of Fiji
tenth. street. It also provides that
boat houses that are now in the for
hidden territory shall be moved il
vacant at the time of the passage of