Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22
Especial to The Bulletin.)

Especial to The Bulletin.) 1 Hartford, Conn, March 21.-The l Home Rule bill for cities of 10000 and | upwards which gives local option on | the matter of Sunday sports was adopted by the house this afternoon l 137 to S9 Reconsideration asked for | was refused.
 1 The senate is expected to adopt the | bill in concurrence.
 Provisions of the Bill. Section 1. Chapter 119 of the pub | lie acts of 1913 is amended to read as | follows: Except herein provided, : every person who shall do any secular | business or labor, except works or 1 necessity or mercy, or keep open any shop, warehouse or manufacturing or mechanical establishment or expose any property for Sa-e, or engage ,ln any sport between 12 o'clock Satur- l day night and 12 o'clock Sunday night, except as provided i'll section of this l act shall be fined not more than $50. l The provisions of this section shall l not affect the issue or service of any 1 criminal complaint or any proceedings thereon. nor the performance by hay | wards of their duties, nor the issue or
 service of any other civil process, ex- cept between sunrise and sunset on Sunday.
 Sunday Concerts. Sec. 2. The park commissioners or park committee of any town, city or borough are authorized to permit free concerts Of music in between the hours | of ? o'clock and sunset on Sunday af- ternoons, at stated places in one or more public parks belonging to said city town or borough. subject to such rules as the respective committee or commissioners may adopt Tor the puf- pose ef securing Oraer and quiet con- duct on the part of all who shall en- gage in said music or sports, and also of all persons in attendance. provided.
 that only places shall be so designated where such music can be given or
 sport engaged in without disturbing
 the reasonable comfort. quiet and
 peace of any other citizen, and pro-
 vided game or sport shall be per mitted in any tournament, or for any admission fee or prize.
 Athletic Sports and Amusements.
 Sec g. Any town with a population of 10000 or more may grant permits for public athletic sports, amusementS or enterta inments to be held on Sun day as herein provided between the hours of o'clock in the afternoon and 10 o'clock in the evening.
 Sec. 4. Such athletic sports. | amusements or entertainment shall be l approved by the official officials is- l suing such permit and be in keeping i with the character of the day and not | inconsistent with it's due observance.
 Sec. ,. Any town may designate by | ordinance or bylaw the officers or | board which shall have authority to | issue Such permit.
 Issuance of Permits.
 Sec. 6. Such permits shall be issued | only upon application in writing to | the officers or board authorized to | receive same and issue the permit and | shall be subject to such terms and conditions as said officers or board l shall prescribe; it shall remain in force not more than one year from the date thereof and be revocable for violation of any of the terms and con- ditions upon which it was issued; pro- vided no officers or board in any town shall issue or grant any such permit until the majority of the electors of said town voting shall have cast their ballot in favor of the granting of such permits, as hereinbefore provided.
 Manner of Taking Ballots.
 Sec [. The manner of taking such ballots shall be as follows: Upon the petition of not less than 10 per centum filed with the town clerk at least 90 days before the date of any annual town meeting, at which there is an election of officers by ballot the se- lectmen shall notify the legal voters of said town that at the annual town meeting a ballot will be taken to de- termine whether any person shall be permitted tc conduct, engage in or at tend public athletic sports, entertain ments or amusements within such town on Sundays.
 Sec. 8. The ballot shall be cast either "yes" or mo-" Yes" being in | favor of and mo" against granting of 1 permits to conduct, engage in at tend public athletic sports, entertain ments or amusements, and tn evote when taken shall remain in full force until annulled by a new vote to be taken at an annual town meeting upon petition. and after, due notice, which vote shall become operative on the first Monday of the month next suc- ceeding such town meeting; provided In towns electing town officers bien- 227 of the public acts of 1907, as amended, such ballots shall be taken only at the time and place of holding such biennial elections
 MT. Sheldon of Plainfleld offered amendment so that sthe bill would In- clude all the towns in the state.
 Amendments Offered.
 Mir. Backus opposed the amendment, ls the borough of Ktllingiy might fas vor and the town against, and vice versa. Tn this caen we would hot'l knOw where we are at, Mir. Shaw of Bedding said the small towns did not want the bill, did not ask for #, but -here seemed to be a demand for fl in he big towns. He opposed the amend- nent, as did also Admiral CoWlea of F'arrnington, MT. Fenton of Wiiii= pronounced himself as in favor Of the pill. MT. Brown of Milford favored he amendment and asked the mem- ,ers from the small towns to stand [