The Washington times., 1914-05-22
open SUNDAY" FOES
PLAN LEGAL FIGHT
Commissioners Will Lead in
Campaign to Make Wash
ington ModdeI for Sabbath.

The advocates of the open Sunday
Ia Washington have won a partial vic
Tory. The injunction to prevent inter-
ference with a baseball game has been
made permanent.
But tine fight is to be carried OF. in
the courts until the highest tribunal has
handed down its decision-whatever that
NAY be. And the forces that are op-
posed TO what they term a desecration
OF tie Sabbath are more than ever de-
tCrIniEed to go ahead with the fight and
make Washington a model city for Sun
day observance.
That is the situation this afternoon.
The Commissioner are not yet de-
Cided rs 10 how they will act under
ne decision of Justice Gould with re-
sard TO forms OF amusement other than
ssebaIl. This means that they have
ct to determine upon a policy with
-efefence 10 grand opera and other
.uTsns of theatrical entertainments. A
TCeetinR of the board will he held this
'.fterncon and Corporation Counsel
Svme will be called IN to give his ad-
vics. The Commissioners viii then de-
termine just what will be lone.
This much is certain. The Edmond
ston case is to be appealed. Commits
SIoner Siddons intimated as much in a
Ststement he made the day the first
ase was brought. He said that the
ase involved such a complicated point
Of law that il was the determination of
me Commissioners to take il to the
cry highest court for an opinion.
Beyond that-as has been stated-noth-
lnR has been decided. But ii is the
general belief of officials of the District
mat no action whatever will be taken
with regard to any other form of
amusement until a court of competent
Jurisdiction sets aside the decision of
Justice Gould. This means that for
he present at least Washington will
be a ''wide-open" town so far as amuse-
ments are concerned. Opera, vaudeville,
or any other form of theatrical enter
Iainment permitted on week day viii!
be legal here. The upsetting of the
baseball ruling of the authorities by
the court has had the effect. in the
minds OF these officials, of upsetting
the entire regulation
OF course. there has been no official
announcement to this effect-thcrc
could not be until the Commissioners
and Corporation Counsel have ield
their meeting. But the general opinion
is that the policy adopted will be along
the lines indicated.
4. '.lt is not possible for the Cortmis-
sioners to state what they will 90 in
this case at this time" said Commis-
sioner Newman, when asked for a state
rnent Of the attitude Of the board. We
nave just learned of Justice Gould's de-
cision, and have had no opportunity
for consultation or for really inform
ing ourselves as TO what we will do.
We will appeal the case, of course. and
have the oIinion of the highest court.
nst what form this appeal will take 1
CCuld not saw at this moment. i do
not understand that the decision affects
anything but the baseball proposition.
would not care to offer an opinion as
10 anything else.
The news was received without COM
ment by the several theatrical managers
II the city. Manager Rapley, of the
National Theater, made his plans for
The production of Carmen Sunday
night. He has not considered any other
possibility than that he would carry
"ut his program.
Manager Robbins of Keith's states
nat the decision of the court will in no
The management Of Keith's has never
mad any objections to the law that has
always been in force. Mr.. Robbins
states. The Sunday concerts that have
been given at this theater since last
September are given in strict accordance
and were not started until after consul |
'ation had been had with the leading
District officials.
Manager Berger. OF the Columbia |
Theater, does not believe that his house |
VII be affected in the least bv anv
new Interpretation of the Sunday Law. |
II is not in accordance with the policy |
of the Columbia to deprive the members
OF its stock company Of the day Of
est which the opening Of the house
o. Sunda; night would mean.
The sane situation exists at Polls |
Isnager Thatcher believes the senti-
rnent of the people of the District
should be the law Of the theatrical man
/: gers. He VIII not be affected by the
rew INTERPRETATION OF the lay. In the
a b.encc OF any definite statoins Mt Of the
s-tuation it is impossible for any OF the
tHsnsgers 10 state what they might do
Fhen the regular season opens