Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-01-30

Continued From Page One)
tablishments in the state when Il
came up for passage in the house. 4
large number of the representatives
who voted for the amended bin have
since declared that they did so I'm the
belief that such drastic measure
would never be- passed by the senate.
The matter had become serious in
the past few days, however, and unless
the true facts are brought to the at
tenton of the solons there Is a grave
danger that this vicious and sumptu-
AIRY piece Of legislation will he placed
upon the statute books.
Thousands Of petitions, letters and
kilograms from all parts OF the state
have been received protesting against
the passage Of the bill. Hundreds OF
business men in Oklahoma City, Tulsa
and other important cities OF the state
have signed these petitions as they
realize the grave danger that lies in
the bill.
Widespread Effect
The very means of sustenance OF
1000 men Is in the balance and this
affects 10000 persons who are de-
pendent upon these 1000 for support.
1t is no exaggeration to say that If
this bill becomes law fully one thou
sand store buildings. including some
Of the best structures In the state,
will be vacated. Y. NJ. G. A. build
churches will be materially affected
and damaged.
No other state in the union has even
attempted such q far-reachlns step.
II is argued that the legislature might
as well attempt to abolish soda foun-
tains, theatres and barber shops, for
the pool and billiard halls, as a class.
have as much right under the consti-
tuition as have other commercial and
amusement institutions,
In all the principal cities Of the
country and most Of the larger towns
the Y. NJ. G. AS include billiard
tables in their equipment. The plans
for the handsome Y. NJ. c. A. building
now nearing completion at Tulsa call
for billiard room. From Boston TO
San Francisco and from Galveston 40
Minneapolis this popular indoor recre-
few years and is recommended by
practically all Of the secretaries. The
pending bill would prevent these or
ganizations from including this whole
some pastlme in their program OF
amusement and recreation.
Used i'm Church Societies.
In Baptist, Congregational, Presby-
terlan, Lutheran and Roman Catholic
churches, especially In the cities, bill
lard tables are also a part Of the
equipment Of the parish house, mems
club or similar organizations con-
nected with these churches.
These institutions. devoted 10 the
physical and moral welfare OF the
country, have found from experience
that II Is better TO have this form Of
recreation than to be without it,
In addition to this. the well-cOn-
Quoted clubs OF ths country, both
commercial and fraternal, Invariably
include billiard tables In their social
program. In view OF this fact IL
would seem the part OF wisdom for
the people Of Oklahoma TO make pro-
vision along similar lines. while at the
same time requiring that all billiard
halls which are public should he prop
erly conducted.
The bill is a blow at local self gov
ernment, q cardinal principle OF de-
mocracy. II has been proved that
cities can well regulate pool and bill
Hard halls By ordinances and the
strong arm OF the law. In the smaller
places, where such institutions some