Evening journal., 1917-12-18
DOVER MEN PROTEST
AGAINST blue LAW
Claim it is Not Enforced in
Other Communities
Like at Capital
WRITE LETTER TO
ATTORNEY GENERAL

Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL
DOVER Del, Dec. is.-severai Dover
merchants have sent to Attorney Cen
eral heinhardt the following letter re-
sardins the enforcement OF the sunday
blue laws Ia that town:
DOVER. Del, Dec. ~. 1917.
Hon. David J.. Relnhardt
Attorney General Of Delaware.
Wilmington. Del.
Dear Mr. Renhardt:
Your Kent county deputy, Mr.. James
NJ saiterneld. has submitted TO US
your opinion relative 10 the enforce
ment Of the sunday closing law. and
we have carefully noted what YOU
have to say on the subject. we nov
feel. IN Justice 20 ourselves. that we
should personally call your attention
To- the unfair conditions that exist at
present
As YOU probably know. the Sunday
closing law is being enforced In Dover.
despite the fact that 70 certain ex-
tent % has long been disregarded In
practically all other communities In
the State. As this is n state law we
ieel mat we are being uniustly dis
eliminated against when we are pro
hibited from selling ice cream. soda
water candy and cigars on SUNDAY.
when the merchants Of other Delaware
towns are permitted 10 make such
sales.
We do not oppose the enforcement
Of the sunday closing law II It r.
fairly enforced throughout the entire
state, hut we do object TO a con
dition that serves 30 keep automobile
parties and visitors from the rural
sections from stopping in our town on
Sunday because they are upable 70 Sc
cure conveniences that are provided by
merchants In other towns on that day.
We also believe 70 Is unfair 10 pro-
hib't The sale OF ice cream. soda water.
candy and cigars, and yet permit the
sale N sunday newspapers and gaso-
line TO be continued. for the law
makes no such distinction n this law
Is 20 be enforced ot an. IL should be
properly enforced In every community
In the State as we'll fs I'm Dover.
Believing that we should enjoy the
same privileges that are extended TO
other merchants Of Delaware. and
should be allowed TO sell those arli-
Giles that other Delaware merchant
are permitted 90 soil on SUNDAY. vf
hereby register our protest agalns,
the unfair discrimination against us
and ask you 60 permit us 20 enjoy thl
same privileges that are enjoyed by
other Delaware merchants who orr
governed 10y the same state laws and
10 which we feel that we are justly
entitled.
Hoping you will give his request
your earnest consideration, we are,
Respectfully yours,
/ lsignedl
II. C.. Helm. Druggist
James ". Wise. Druggist
Harry Nane, Druggist
Eldad Clarke Druggist.
W. H. Reed. Newspapers, Cigars. etc
W r. Cook. Cafe
Howard West, station Master.
The letter from Mr.. Relnhardt 10 Mr.
Saiterneld. referred 10 in The foregoing
is as follows
WILMINGTON, Del, Dec. 7. 1917.
Jamts NJ. Satterneld, Esq.
Deputy Attorney General.
Dover. Del
My Dear Sir:
You have asked me what is the
policy Of the Attorney Generals offlcs
in regard 10 the prosecution OF those
who violate the laws Of this state
against sunday selling.
In reply, beg 10 say that the Attor-
ney General cannot countensnce or
permit any violation CT the laws OF
the state Of Delaware. Those who
violate the laws Of this State do 60
at their own risk and are always liable
to prosecution.
You may rest assured that the At
torney Generals oflce has never ooun-
tenanced or ever consented to the
violation Of the law In regard TO Sun
day sales anywhere in the State.
Very truly yours,
DAVID J. REINHARDT.