New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-21
Legislators Asked to
Change Law to Per-
nit Pastime on
Sabbath
BY W. J. MACBETH

| sunday baseball may be Ieganzed IN
New York State before the opening OF
the 1917 season. A number of State
Senator'S and Congressman from the
metropolitan district will champion
this cause at the next meeting of the
Legislature.
| IL was at the suggestion OF certain
prominent politicians that the patron
age of the Brooklyn National League
club was sounded on the matter last
summer. The attitude OF Brooklyn. il
Is believed, will prove beyond a doubt
TO the lawmakers that public sentiment
favors such a movement.
According to Charles II. Ebbets,
president of the Dodgers, the voting
citizenry of Brooklyn is almost unsni-
nous in its desire Of repeal Of the
"blue laws" so far as the great sum-
mer sport is concerned.
"Please understand me-" said the
Flatbush squire yesterday; 81 started
no agitation for Sunday baseball, nor
am fostering one now. The Brooklyn
club management was approached by
| prominent fans DESTROYS OF seeing Sun
day games with the request that II get
a line on the general sentiment of its
patronage. That the Brooklyn club did
Understand me, it was movement
fathered by Brooklyn's baseball enthu-
siasts. / was glad to lend whatever aid
could. | also was glad to see the re-
suit, for practically every one who
voiced an opinion at all Endorsed the
idea OF Sunday baseball. Roughly
! speaking, should say that 80 per cent
/ of our patrons went on record to that
effect Few of the 10 per cent that de-
clined to indorse the proposition raised
dissenting voice.
81 am sure" continued Mr.. Ebbets
"from what one might call the straw
vote at Ebbets Field, that the voters Of
Brooklyn and, indeed, | believe, the
greater city as we'll, would favor the
Sunday game il the issue we're placed
before them Election Day.
Want Law Modified
with those who are working in the
interests of Sunday baseball originated
an idea of having our clubs patronage
sign a petition for modification or th'
law permitting organized baseball clubs
of the state to operate on Sundays. INT
names Of thousands upon thousands o.
Brooklyn's most influential sport lovers
have been subscribed to this petition.
do not know what will be done with tn,
petition. | presume it will be used b!
the representatives DESTROYS of amend
ing the present law as they may thini
best"
Within the last ten years severa
half-hearted attempts have been made
to legalize Sunday baseball in thu
state. These efforts were generally
frowned upon by those magnates Wit
operated major league franchises. Unit
Middle Western cities. like Detroit anc
Cleveland. disproved the theory IL wa
feared that the Sunday game would b
boomerang in so far as TO diminish
midweek attendances to an unhealthy
degree.
ably opposed TO major league Sunday
baseball in greater New York. sale
Arthur Irwin, former business manager
of the Yankees, yesterday.
'I know OF several instances where
Mr.. Brush blocked legislation thai
would have assured the Sunday game
He was the greatest power in the Ma
tional League Of his time, and he wa
able 10 influence the American League
local owners TO his point of view. Mr.
Brush feared that Objectionable feat
ures Of mob hoodlumsm might develop
He argued the capacity Of the old Polc
Grounds stands was too limited 70 &C
commodate the greater city's Sunday
unemployed. Also he thought weekday
attendances. including the lucrative
Saturday patronage, would be sacrificed
for one specific day each week.
Wrong Viewpoint
"That Mr.. Brush's viewpoint wa
wrong has been proven in Chicago an'
other Middle Western cities. Weekday
attendances have not been affected NO
the least sign Of Sunday disorder eve
developed. 1t must not be forgotten
that New York boasts hundreds o.
thousands of sport lovers whose only
day of amusement and recreation comes
on Sunday. That these would welcome
the Sabbath baseball boon is eviden
from a visit 10 any semi-pro park Of
corner lot where amateur baseball II
permitted on the first day Of the week.
None in control Of the three major
league clubs OF greater New York dis
approves of Sunday baseball. None is
championing the cause. The main ides
seems 20 be, LET sleeping dogs lie
II the reform comes. then well enough;
if not. no ones feelings the profess
sional reformer included-will be hurt
Within the last five years several
attempts have been made By proofes-
sional politicians at Albany to have
baseball placed in the category with
prize ring and other questionable
sports. More than once it has been
advocated to appoint a state commits
zion. with powers kindred to that one
which controls boxing, to supervise
baseball, the great idea, OF course, be-
ing to levy a state tax against the gate
receipts of the game.
The baseball magnates do not wish
TO make a move that might bring their
heads under any such club as state
commission might prove. A moderate
tax is not the Objectionable part Of the
oft-proposed commission. Baseball
seems law peculiar unto itself II
has prospered because those in control
| have always been practical baseball
I