The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-05
Contrary to State Law
Editor of The Age-Herald ::

contrary tO otdtc LAW
 To the Editor of The Age-Herald;
 There is not now and never has been, and never will be any law In this land against educational, beneficent and char itable concerns operating on Sunday. On the contrary the law gives to such insti- tutions special privileges in view of their charitable, benevolent and edificational nature; and provides for the incorporation of such enterprises and their exemption from taxes and other burdens imposed on ordinary business concerns. Now If any picture theatre is so overwhelmed with zeal for doing for the public charitable, beneficent and educational work, what Is there to hinder them from incorporating as such institutions under the law and giving their whole energies to their bene- ficent ends? Nothing under heaven. They need not ask the commission of the city for this privilege. It Is theirs already.
 But it is not as a charitable concern, subject to the limitations of such con cerns under the law that they are asking from the commission the privilege of op- erating on Sunday; but they want to op- crate as business enterprises on that N
 prietors. This is why they worry the commission so often and so persistently. That day can be used by them to great pecuniary benefit to their shareholders' Now the law closes such business on Sunday just as it does all other kinds of theatre and show business; though they too, could greatly profit by commercials izng the Sabbath, and exploiting 1t TOT private gain The only thing the Sunday law denies to these picture theatre pro prietors is that they shall not operate as business concern on that day; bui this seems to be to them a condition precedent to their performing their char jtable purposes, and they respond to the appeals of charity only when 1t IS vel seasoned with the anticipation or dlVi- dends This disguise no longer fools any one.
 The effort to prize open the Sunday laws by the device of devotng the pro- ceeds of their Sunday business to charity (which disposal of the proceeds they can revoke at their pleasure) is too piain tc deceive the commission into granting then privileges denied similar and equally I'm portant businesses. This effort to extrac' a dimes worth of charity from their pa irons by offering 10 cents worth oi amusement therefor is possibly in the eyes of some morbid benevolence; ana Il is in the long run of doubtful worth In the ethical culture of the community. bu' it is not long likely to continue wher once it ceases to serve the hope that II may open the way to extract a dime worth of income for the business and its proprietors The concerns operating, ever in the interest of this morbid charity ano with the express consent of the commls sion could have been stopped by tho sheriff, and those so violating the law
 i,,li 1fab hXr grand jury; but I suppose no one will bt solicitous thus to vindicate the law o1 inc state. since this effort is so patiently a disguise that it will die of its own in herent unla wfulness.
 The pastors of this city are unanimous in desiring to protect the American Sab bath for the promotion of our American life in the line this institution was intend ed to serve; and for this reason they stand as one man against it's further i'm pairment and infringement by those II pursuit of gain. We have religious lib erty in this land; and every man ha' the right to worship God according to th' dictates of his own conscience. But O what value is a liberty or right to th people when they are not given any op portunity to exercise their rights? Henc' with the civil Sabbath goes religious lib erty and the right to worship; and to pre- empt every day in the week for busines is in the most effective and practica way to deny that liberty and right. Le ns not destroy this institution which pro tects our rights and liberties of the mos sacred character
 A J. DICKINSON.
 Birmingham, February 3, 1sl5
 To the Editor of The Age-H Herald
 We notice in the morning paper tha the Birmingham Pastors union goes ol record as opposing Sunday pictures" fo charity or any other purpose. Even I had the right, I would be far iron questioning the ministers sincerity l any matter But I do have the right an do question their theology and consist ency in this particular instance. And do desire to enter protest against tn ministers of this city interfering wit the relief work of those who are incline to help the unfortunates of this com munity. My protest, however, is nc made against the ministers. but rathe in favor of the poor and unfortunate who need and are entitled to all the hel ttey can get from any honorable source and on any day in the week. Now, c course, the ministers will not agree wit me altogether, but think l have as muc of humanity on my side as they hav' and I know ] have divinity on my sid' because Christ is divine and He said is lawful to do well on the Sabbath day! Moreover, Christ Himself worked on tn Eabbath days. healing, blessing and uI lifting humanity. He did not stop relieve suffering humanity on any da, And if the great city of Birmingham never gets any further off the track tha allowing the picture shows to run o Sunday for the relief of suffering human ity, believe we will all get home in tn sweet by and by. Yours very truly,
 ROB ADAMS.
 Birmingham, February ?, 1915.
 No Haru, in Sunday Mnxies