The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-24
Ward Tells Sunday School Workers That Sunday
 Movies Will Continue
JAMES WEATHERLY
 WEAKENS SLIGHTLY
Says He Will Not Support Moving Picture Shows On Sunday If He Is Shown That They Are In
 Violation of Law

The city commission remained firm yesterday under terrific fire of pro- ture shows.
 When dozen and more men, women and boys had represented the fact that the Sunday school and church member ship of the city had enacted resolutions against the operation of the picture shows on the Sabbath, President Ward said.
 Two weeks ago the commission,
 after long reconciliation, adopted a
 hands-off policy respecting these
 shows. It was not hasty decision
 It was decision based on the belief
 of the commissioners that the shows
 would do more good than harm.
 Unless motion to the contrary is
 made and carried, that action will
 stand"
 In silence, minute, two minutes three minutes ticked off
 And then the protestants silently filed out, one by one.
 WEATHERLY STATES POSITION
 There is little doubt, however, but that the protestants had shaken at least one of the commissioners. For when Ed Hammill, an attorney, declared that in his opinion the city. in permitting thea tres to entertain on Sunday, was permit ting a violation of the state law, Con- missioner Weatherly said:
 "A week ago, MT. Barber intro- duced an ordinance making effective
 in Birmingham every law respecting
 misdemeanors which was enacted by
 the legislature. It is my opinion that
 that action was deliberately taken for
 a specific purpose. And if theatres
 on Sundays in Birmingham are a viola
 tion of the state law, then I will ob-
 ject. For I will not see the law v1o-
 lated"
 His expression was greeted by loud applause, for the protestants were made aware of the fact that the position ot MT. Weatherly was straw in the wind proving that their argument had had some effect.
 And when the test came following the above quoted remarks of President Ward the moment of silence which followed was a moment of expectancy, and there was noticeable disappointment in that MT. Weatherly made no move.
 SS-SATIRICAL BITING
 While at least dozen spokesmer urged the commission to take a positive stand against the continuation of its present policy, only one word in behall of that policy was uttered. Harry Strad ford, formerly connected with moving picture theatre, defended the Sunday movie" He declared that the fact that on two Sundays, 23,000 people attended the theatres, proved that the people were delighted. He expressed the conviction that if the commissioners placed a ban against the Sunday movie" they should in justice deny drug store the right to operate ons Sunday, and the news papers the right to circulate on Sunday
 Before MT. Stradford had completed his remarks, from the formidable ranks of the opposition there emanated satiri- cal, biting hiss
 pr. J. w. Johnson of the First Meth odist church. following, declared that nc one desired the Blue Sunday" He stated that anything which was for the good of man was permissible on the Sabbath, and attacked the argument of MT. Stradford on the ground of his be- lief that it was not convincing.
 "SALACIOUS," SAYS ESTES
 MOr6 Indn one or lHo pIOlcStdilo sailed the nature of the shows which have been opened to Sunday traffic. George H Estes declared that in one theatre, Dam aged Goods had been permitted, 8 show which he characterized as "so vile that it was deemed wise. according to reports to permit men to enter at one time and women at another. He ridiculed the idea that the workingman wanted the Sun day movie" and declared that such ar gument was resorted to when the con science of men needed a sop. He spoke in the interest of Sunday golf because no money-as far as he knew-changed hands on the golf links although he de- clared that he himself would not engage in tha tpastime on the day of the Lord.
 E. F. Morgan was another who criti- cized the brand of entertainment which was offered. He regaled the audience by reading a clipping from an afternoon pa- per in which the charm of Bella Donna was depicted.
 This paper says" he declared, ''that this woman's soul-God mark you're sponded to Baroudi-her soul!" His inl- plication was to the effect that the Kitchens story appealed more to the pas. sion than to the sense of refinement, and that, therefore, it should not be tolerated, especially on Sundays.
 DESTRUCTION IS PROPHESIED
 Some of the speakers intimated that if the present practice was continued, the wrath of God which destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah would destroy Birmingham this despite the fact that Dr. Johnson
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