Putnam patriot., 1916-07-14
THE BlG POW WOW SUNDAY BASE BALL
Petition on Protesting Games on the
 Sabbath Presented Prosecutor Arrangements Made 10 Play DanielsOa

A protest against further base ball games on Sunday has been filed with the prosecuting attorney of the city, Lawyer Eric H. Johnson. At least it was presented to him and then taken away for the purpose of getting more signatures. It is stated that about twenty names appeared on the docu i ment when first presented but who the signers are has not been made known.
 A meeting was held in the Congre- gational church Tuesday evening for discussion. Prosecuting Attorney Johnson was sent for and appeared. He was asked to explain the law gov erning the situation and read the sec tions relative to sports and secular business on Sunday, also the new law allowing amateur games under certain conditions, as printed in the PATRIOT few weeks ago.
 NIT. Johnson has been quoted as say ing that it was his opinion that base ball could not be played legally on Sunday in Putnam. He took the po- sition when first approached regarding games that unless complaint was made he would take no proceedings. He took stand to this effect before the meeting and told those present that if formal protest was made to him he would see that the law is enforced.
 Before an attempt was made to play Sunday games those interested inter. viewed a number of city officials inelu- ding the Mayor and felt after the inter- views that they were justified in going ahead with their plans. It was pro- posed at first to play near the foundry but after protest had been filed from residents of that neighborhood on the ground that it would cause a disturb ance this location was abandoned. The old fair ground was then considered and the residents of that section inter- viewed. No objection was made in this quarter and ,the management went ahead and tSe first game lwas played Sunday. People who attended the same said it was quiet and orderly and that there was no disturbance of any kind.
 President Tom McDermott of the club said Wednesday night that plans for game Sunday were being made and that Danielson would be the op- posing team. Asked if he knew of the petition of protest he said he did. When asked if they would go ahead with their plans he said that Manager Jack Ryan had brought in the, batting order and that so far as he knew the game would be played.
 MT. McDermott said he did know who the signers of the petition were. He mentioned one or two names that he thought were on the list. Asked if the game was stopped if it was the Iin- tention of those interested to try to close the town up tight he said it was not. 'That is lot of talk to hurt us, said MT. McDermott. i've shall not try to stop golf or anything else if we can not play. I don't believe there lis member of the golf cluS that would sign such protest. l understand that every business man has refused to sign the petition and that the majority of the citizens are in favor of letting us alone. We conducted the game quietly and orderly. Only contributions were made. Some gave quarter, some ten cents, some five and even three cents were put in the box. There is nothing to this talk that we shall try to make il unpleasant for others if we are not allowed to play. That is talk of out siders and of no one connected with the club.n
 Those interested in the game take the view that the people who enjoy the game have as much right 10 their form of amusement as those who like to play golf or those who can afford to ride about the country in their auto mobiles on Sundays. They seel no harm in Sunday base ball if properly conducted and are sorry that trouble IS being made for them. But so far as maintaining a vindicitive spirit they refnte this charge that has become current gossip on .the street.
 On the other hand those lat the head of the movement to stop further games claim they have no objection 10 strictly amature sport where no ad- mission is charged but do object 10 the commerci alizlng of the Sabbath