Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-12-24
MAYOR IS RAPED
|. FOR SUNDAY EDICT
His Intended Kindness in Let
ting Merchants Open Today
Proves Boomerang.
MOST STORES WILL CLOSE
Easterly Asserts Prosecution
Will Follow Violations;
Ministers Act.

Mayor John II. simmons proclama-
tion Of Friday, In which he liftel the
ban on Sunday closing of shops and
stores. was but the first of series OF
proClamations, announcements and
formal comment which were to follow.
but revolving about a common subject
the enforcement OF the state Sunday
law.
The mayors proclamation called
attention To the fact that some of the
stores of Tdlsa had entered INTO an
agrCcu eut to remain closed thruout
Christmas day. Monday and this with
the closing of sunday might work a
hardship o. some of the shops of the
rity. For this reason. the mayor con.
tinued In his proclamation, n special
dispensation had been granted these
stores ard the city's laws governing
sunday closing had been lifted.
Ministers Get Busy.
This action on the part OF the city's
chief executive was followed promptly
saturday morning by the issuance OF
Alliance of this city in which the
county officials are called upon 10 do
II cir duty IN enforcing the states laws
regarding the olscr tancc Of SUNDAY,
and in which a protest IS voiced
against the action Of Mayor Simmons.
Dave Eisterly. local manager for
tho state free employment agency
and working directly under the state
labor commissioner, W. G.. Ashton.
announced that any violation of the
stato's Sunday observance laws would
be met promptly with warrants for ar
rest. and vigorous prosecution by the
state in each instance.
"I issued the proclamation because
| believed 1t was 10 the Interest OF lhe
people of Tulsa" Mayor Simmons de-
clared. And it was not with any IN
tention OF permitting the violation OF
laws | am sworn To uphold that | is
sued this special dispensation with
reference To the remaining open Of
stores on Sunday To accommodate the
shoppers who were unable to make
their purchases earlier in the holiday
season.
Dave Eastcrly was emphatic in de-
claring that any violation of tho
states Sunday observance laws would
he met with warrants for arrest and
prosecution.
"The holiday season Is strain
enough to put on the employees of the
shops and stores Of Tulsa" he de-
clared yesterday. and | can see no
reason for the law being violated to
permit shoppers who did not heed the
warnings of shop early and do their
Christmas buying at time when they
might have had an opportunity TO
do So
violations of the Sunday observ-
ance laws are violations of the state
laws and no special dispcnsation by
a municipalities chief executive is
powerful enough to lift the ban that
Is placed upon It by action OF the leg
islaturc The law was made for the
welfare of the people and 1t must be
obeyed."
Many Turn Down privilege.
Earlier i'm the week, before the
mayor issued his procla nation, Secrc-
tary w. A. Rays0n, OF the Retail
Merchants' association announced that
many lines of business represo nted in
the association would remain closed
ON Sunday and Monday. This was
followed with Il statement yesterday
morning which * as follows:
"No twithstandlng that the lid for
Sunday closing has been raised on
account Of Christmas falling on Mon
day this year, nevertheless, the fol-
lowing stores have agreed ana entered
into a compact t. close all day sun
day, regardless OF the restriction be-
ing removed:
Dry goods and roady-to- wear con-
ssting Of Hunt company, Scott-H Hallt-
burton Abbott company, Nandever's
dru goods company, Fppcrsou's, j. u.
Han company and Seidrnbach's. viii
close their doors Saturday night and
remain so until Tuesday morning.
Clothing and boot and shoe stores,
consisting of the firms of Brown &
Blazer. Globe store. Holmes Clothes
company, Model Clothiers, Palace
Clothiers, Plymouth Clothing com
pany. RenbcrC Clothing company and
Wright Clothing company and Akin
BoOtcre, BIB shoe store. Lyons Shoe
store. Turk Bros. ana Walk-OVer
Boot shop. will close all day sunday.
however. will open Monday mtti
noon"