Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-03-22
INDICTMENT FOR
MOVIES, THREAT
Of PREACHERS
Ministers Will Visit Shows to
Secure EvidenCe-TOday'S
Conference Fails.

The Evangelical Ministers Assocla-
ton announced to-day, through DR..
John E. White. that it would ask for
indictment Of the owners Of moving
picture houses which operate to-mor-
row, claiming a violation of the state
statute covering Sunday amusements.
The moving picture managers ana
representatives of the church forces
held a meeting this afternoon in a flu
tile effort 10 solve the question. The
movie men suggested compromise
by which they would close during eve
ming church hours. The churchmen-
DR.. White. Second Baptist; DR., Daniel
First Baptist and DR.. Bricker Flis'
Christian-stood pat in their demand
for entire observance Of the Sabbath.
The movie men likewise stood firm
and the conference ended with the
ministers intimating strongly that
their congregations felt strongly
enough about the mattre to put
complete ban on moving pictures Wheh
that step is deemed necessary.
I'VE shall make a tour Of the NOV
ing picture houses tomorrow salu
Rev. John E. White. pastor Of the sec
ond Baptist church, land gather eVl-
dence to present to the grand jury
next week. We shall ask the lndlct-
ment of the house owners, if their the
aters are being operated, claiming they
have violated the state law.
I'VE are thoroughly convinced that
these theater owners are in league with
other powers that seek to destroy the
sanctity of the Sabbath. They nave
refused to listen to appeal. Now we
will call in the law"
Frank Hammond, spokesman for the
moving picture men, declared to-day
that the contemplated action of the
ministers was mere conversation.
I'VE can not be stopped from operat-
ing our picture houses so long as we
devote the proceeds of such entertain
ment to charity" declared Hammond
Let the ministers come to the Sun
day shows. Instead Of coming to in
vestigate they may stay to be edu-
Gated"
Declare Plea Was Ignored.
The Ave members of the Ministerial
Association who appeared before rep
resentatives of the moving picture
houses yesterday and presented resolu-
tions requesting the closing of the
houses on Sunday to-day declare their
appeal went for naught.
The ministers told the moving pic
ture men that if they operated without
the law they would be prosecuted, but
If they operated within the law through
some subterfuge 100000 church peo-
pie of Atlanta would be asked at once
to boycott the movies even on week
days
I'VE shall endeavor TO attract such
moving picture house owners to this
city" said DR.. White to-day, that will
not oppose our plan to keep the Sab
bath sacred in this city These men
will be supported by our congregations
il the picture men insist on opening or
Sunday"
The warning factions will get to-
gether again late to-day at which time
the last word on the part of the pic
ture men will be spoken. They have
already framed their answer, according
to Frank Hammond, spokesman for the
picture house owners.
More Men Are Defiant.
we. shall open our houses to-mor-
row and conduct them the same way
as we did last week." declared Ham
mond to-day.
The request of the ministers is not
within reason. We do not seek to
desecrate the Sabbath. All we ask is
the patronage of those persons 10
whom the Sabbath is a day of rest and
who have no other time in the week
to seek innocent diversion"