The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-17

Inc announcement or commissioner -.
o. Lane on Saturday that under a board
of censorship he favored the opening of
the moving picture theatres on Sunday
provoked lot of favorable comment yes
terday among the civic and other leaders
of the city.
The opposition was mainly confined to
the ministers of the city, and even this
was not very pronounced when they real
lied that Judge Lane had mentioned that
he favored the moving pictures ON Sunday
only with proper restrictions-that is with
a board of censors on which leaders of
civic bodies and women should have a
place. The Rev. John S. Foster, pastor
OF the First Presbyterian church and pres
ident of the Pastors union refused to
be quoted on the matter as he had not
read Judge Lanes announcements 1t
was gathered, however, from his conver
sation that his mind was open on the
question. 1T is a matter that would need
careful consideration, and my mind at
present is open on the subject How
ever. | do not wish to be quoted ON the
matter as expressing an opinion either
way"
Various Leaders interviewed
Many business and financial leaders
were interviewed on the matter. 1t was
sought to get the opinion of men and
women in the various spheres of life IN
the city. The opinion they expressed on
having moving pictures on Sunday was in
the main favorable. The majority of
them were of the opinion that people
would not stop going to church just be-
cause there was an open picture theatre
In the city. Others expressed sympathy
for the operators and musicians In these
theatres who are already working long
hours six days of the week. They
averred. however. that If better hours
were granted to the operators and the
musicians the einematograph on Sunday
afternoons would be a source of education
and recreation as well as innocent amuse-
ment.
Ramsay Favors Plan
Erskine Ramsay, vice president of the
Pratt Consolidated Coal company. when
querled ON the question. said: Il am
heartily in favor of Judge Lanes PROPOSE
ton of opening the moving picture the
atres on Sunday. | believe that under
the proper regulations it will be beneficial
for the general public"
Kaul Gives Approval
John l.. Kaul. president of the Kaul
Lumber company, and q leader in the
city beautiful idea and other civic pro-
jects, said: Il am thoroughly in accord
with Judge Lane on this proposition. Nov
ing pictures on Sunday will be a great
boon if properly regulated. / certainly
r.l.4 t,tf.
lures under the censorship would provide
innocent amusement, at the same time
beneficial films of great educational value.
think the ministers of Birmingham will
take this view of 1t after they thorough
1y understand the situation"
Earding In Favor OF IT
W. p. q. Harding. president of the First
National bank and also president Of the
Chamber OF Commerce, said. II favor,
under the proper regulations, the opening
OF the moving picture theatres on sun
day afternoons"
Mrs. Orr Approves
Mrs c. Z. Orr. prominent social work.
er, said: Under the restrictions outlined
by Judge Lane, with women on the board
of censorship, ] heartily favor the moving
pictures on SuRday afternoons. / wish to
state, however, that some relief should
be thought OF for the operators and mu-
sicians of these theatres who work long
sic urs throughout the week. is these men
and women can b., let off on Sundays and
substitutes proyised in their places | do
not believe that there will be much oppo-
sltion in Birmingham to the opensg OF the
picture theatres or Sundays under the
regulations outlined by Judge Lane"
Rev. Johnson Opposes Idea
The Rev. ]. w. johnson, pastor of the
First Methodist church, was about the
only pastor that would be quoted ON the
matter yesterday. Or. Johnson had not
read Judge Lanes announcement, but he
was opposed to the idea on general prin-
ciples He said:
II have not read Judge Lanes article
in the morning paper. but from what you
tell me / am not in sympathy with It..
That other cities have the shows on Sun
day does not settle the question for us.
A great many cities do many things 1
would hate to see Birmingham do and
besides that. I have not heard of any
popular demand for the Sunday shows.
have understood that the operators
do not want them for they would necessi-
tate the spending of seven days instead
Of six without sufficient oxygen. The
SIX days are hard enough on them. This
is the way / feel about the matter on
first blush.
Rev. Bells Opinion
Rev. Robert l.. Bell, pastor OF the
Hdndley Memorial church and a promi-
nent lecturer about the city. said: "The
idea of Judge Lane of opening the pic
turc theatres ON Sunday afternoon under
the proper regulations might be a good
thing. In my opinion. however 1t is not.
To me it looks az the opening wedge
for bigger things. That is--if the moving
pictures are opened soon the regular vau-
deyille theatres win want TO he opened.
say let the churches and the pastors
devise 1t for them. IL they want recrea-
ton let them go out and walk in the fresh
air Ii will do them a lot more good
than being cooped up In dmoving picture
theatre
Miss Jessie A. Ballard OF New York.
publicity secretary of the National Board
of the Young Women's Christian assoc,a-
tions. now conducting an education cam
paign In Birmingham, said; II do not
wish to be meddling in the affairs of
your city, but believe with your city
commissioner. Judge Lane. that under the
proper regulations. moving pictures on
Sunday afternoons will be a good thing
for the general public
DIR. Eayes Favorable
Rev. DIR. George Eavcs, secretary Of
the Jefferson County Anti-Tuberculosis
association and : prominent civic worker.