Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-03-17
Alderman Maddox Will
Introduce Ordinance
Today Prohibiting
Sunday Motion Pic
lures in Churches and
Nickel Shows.
Film Managers M a y
Reply by Insisting
That Lid Also Be.
CIamped On Cigars,
Soda and Cigarettes


Alderman James W Maddox Of this
Fifth ward. announced late today that
he would introduce an ordinance in
council this afternoon prohibiting Sun
dav motion pictures. He said his ordi-
nance would apply to churches as well
as lueaters
Authentic reports are that the or
ganization Of motion picture managers
will insist that all other Sunday bite
laws" be enforced if they are not per-
mirted to run Sunday movies.
They were unable to announce tho
amount Of contributions received yes
terday at the free" shows for the Wild
ows and orphans Of the two fremen
who were recently killed. one Of them
pointed to a clipping from theatrical
magazine stating that London, the
home city of DR.. Len 6. Broughton.
had Just permitted the opening OF mo-
ton picture theaters on Sunday.
Spirited Fight Expected.
Even some OF the leading councilnan
assert tina: all Sunday laws should ne
enforced. including the banning Of
sales Of cigars, soda water and news
papers. The movement viii reach -
climax al the meeting OF council this
afternoon and aysplrited fight is suro
to develop
Councilman Charles W Smith de-
clared that there was no doubt abour
the fact that council would put a stop
to the Sunday movies. The state law
absolutely prohibits the doors Of such
institutions being opened on Sunday,
ne said.
Demands Sunday For Rest.
He was asked what be Thought
about soda water and cigars.
Il am opposed TO their sale" he as
serted. II believe in Sunday as a dog
Of rest. Let the people visit the parks
on Sunday. That is all right; but we
must stop violating the law"
He said he had not considered the
matter deliberately enough to state
just what action he would take at the
meeting Of council this afternoon, bus
that he believed council was firmly de-
cided upon the principle OF the issue.
Another advocate of strict enforce
ment Of the law is Alderman James e.
Warren. He said today that he waa
sure enough members Of council wera
ride veto Of Mayor Woodward TO stou
them He added that he believed couu-
Gil would vote to prohibit them
Alderman John s. Gambler said he
knew Of no plan to act against the
motion picture shows, but he was ao-
solutely opposed to them.
Expect Veto by Mayor.
Mayor Woodward. il is generally pre-
dicJed, will veto any action Of council
tending toward a "bluer" Sunday. HIS
whole policy is liberaIity On the Others
hand, the attitude OF council endan-
gers the status Of all locker clubs In
the city
Il would hate to go before the peo-
pie after voting as some of these coun-
cilmen announce theys will vote" SAID
Alderman A. H. VanDyke. Some OF
them seem to want to put the lilo on
and sit on it, The attitude OF 10000
people yesterday does not seem to
mean anything to them.
There is but one way to settle this
question properly. Let il be the main
issue in the next municipal election.
1t was the issue IN the last mayors
race Councilmcn should be included
also.
Ministers Opposed.
The Methodist Ministers association
and the Baptist Ministers association
today condemned the Sunday moving
picture plan in strong resolutions at
morning meetings.
Marion Jackson, OF the Men and Re-
ligion Forward Movement, also de-
clared his organization would keep
strict watch from now on that the city
laws are not violated by the amuse-
ment house owners.
Decisive Verdict Seen.
Supporters of Sunday moving pic
lures today hail as a decisive referen-
dunn verdict the attendance Of nearly
5000 persons who yesterday visited the
nine moving picture establishments
which opened their doors for beneflt
performances
Moving picture house owners de-
clared this attendance was the wanted
indication that Atlantans as a majority
are for sunday moving pictures
on the other hand, leaders OF the o..
position pointed 70 The great croNds
who united in protest at the variou,
churches of the city ~ the afternoon