The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08
ORDERLY CROWDS ATTEND MOTION
 PICTURE SHOWS Estimated 10000 People Swarmed Theatres Yes
 terday Afternoon POLICE RECORDS
 BEAR TRIBUTE Not An Arrest Made During After noon and Whole Day Was Ex- ceptionally Orderly From
 Police Standpoint

In spite of the cold and rather disagree able weather yesterday afternoon, enor- nous crowds thronged the downtown theatres. It was impossible last night to secure accurate figures but authorative estimates were that during the six hours of the afternoon 10000 people passed the box offices.
 The gross proceeds of the six hours operation, it was estimated, would be somewhere between $500 and $500, and the net proceeds will SC to the Birmingham Trades Council for charity purposes, it is indicated, will be even more than was secured for this purpose when the the- atres operated Sunday afternoon few weeks ago.
 More Money Than First Time
 At that time the net proceeds for the Trades Council, which was used to supply the necessities of life for those of the city who are destitute, was about s350 and it probably will be close to s400 for yesterday when the receipts of all the theatres are footed up.
 During the six hours of operation from 12 o'clock noon until o'clock last even ing the police department did not make one single arrest. The usual run of Sun day afternoon arrests for petty offense which. it is claimed, arises from the fact that so many people find themselves in idleness, is from 10 to 20 The warden the city jail last night said that not only was there not single arrest made during the hours of the operation of the shows, but that the usual Sunday and Sunday night galaxy of arrests for petty violations of the law yesterday was about half normal
 The storm of protests against the Sum day afternoon picture shows which reigned in all it's fury upon the occasion of their first operation for charity a few weeks ago is entirely missing so far upon this occasion. The Birmingham Pastors union and other church organizations which the previous Sunday were very active against the Sunday shows have so far not been heard from this time.
 May Continue Sunday Shows
 It is indicated that as long as there are so many people in the city in desti- titute circumstances as at the present eiihc, the Sits SoihiniSSioieis VIII PthihAe the shows to operate each Sunday, the net proceeds being used for the charitable relief of those in actual need. The com missioners take the position that these are extraordinary times which demand extraordinary measure to meet condi- tions, and one of the plans for the relief of the poor is to be the Sunday after noon shows.
 The agitation for regular Sunday mo- tion picture shows, as is the practice in other large cities of the country, it is un- derstood, is still going on. Petitions have been in circulation for sometime which ask that the question be put before the voters, and 1t is understood they are be- ing very freely signed
 It is understood the matter will be placed before the voters of the city this election April 12, at later initiative elec- ton which is to be held to permit the voters to register their wishes on other issues as well as Sunday motion pie lures
 A majority of the city commission is known to be in favor of regular Sunday operation of picture shows, but in the ab- sence of direct knowledge as to the wishes denied action the question on the grounds that it would arouse unnecessary factionai feeling among the citizenship.