Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-30
CHANCE TO AMEND
BLUE LAWS POOR
OVERWHELMING VOTE OF LEGlS-
LATORS SEEMS TO DOOM SUM-
DAY BASEBALL IN IOWA.
Especial Correspondence

special correspondence
Des Moines. March 2S-Unless the
opponents of the blue laws can work a
miracle in the house and overcome the
overwhelming opposition to their re-
peal, the lid will be sealed down on
Iowa on the Sabbath
When the house killed the Griffin
bill yesterday to repeal certain sec
tons Of the blue laws to permit Sun
day amusements, it served notice upon
Attorney General Havner that it ex-
pected him to enforce the blue laws to
the letter
Attorney General Havner has de-
clared officially that he will enforce
the Sunday closing statutes if this leg
islature permits them to remain on the
statute books That. statement was
presented to the house by advocates
of the repeal today. Nevertheless the
house voted 70 to 25 to keep the blue
laws. Havner said he would start
their enforcement as soon as the leg
islature adjourns.
The attorney generals office recent
ly gave unofficial approval to list OF
business houses that could not be
opened and amusements that could be
run on Sunday The list included Sun
day theaters Of all kinds. Sunday base
ball where admission is charged, ice
cream and confectionery stores, cigar
stores and all similar places not class
ed as necessities. Drug stores would
be permitted to sell drugs only under
the present law.
There is Just one chance to secure
of the Sunday closing
laws. The senate judiciary commit
tee has in it's possession a new bill ap-
by conference of churchmen
and ministers in Des Moines Monday
night. II would make all Sabbath
amusements illegal except where city
councils by specific ordinance author
lied their operation. Sunday closing
would then be question of home rule.
The bill also provides that no Sun
day theaters would be permitted to
open until / y. m that churches might
not be interfered with in their morn.
Ing worship.
The bill makes some other changes
acceptable to the churchmen in the
including the granting Of
state permission to cigar stores and
stores for Sunday open
ing.
If emissaries Of the senate can In.
duce the house to sunnort it's bill, the
blue laws will be modified. But with
such overwhelming opposition. it h be-
lieved the senate will not attempt the
move. The farmers voted against the
blue law reneal. while the representa-
tivas from the cities voted for it, gen
orally.
To stop Sunday baseball in Des
Moines would compel the city to give
up it's franchise in the Western league,
ii was declared here last night. Sioux
City would be in like boat. Iowa
cities in other leagues would be hard
hit even il franchises were not given
UP under the pressure.
Gust state Printer.
The house of the Iowa legislature
late yesterday voted unanimously for
the adjustment Of the Offices of state
printer and state binder.
The bill as passed provides that the
present incumbcnts, State Printer
Robert Henderson and State Binder
John Jamison. will hold office until the
expiration of their present terms Jan
uary /, 1919.
The bill further provides that the
printing shall be done in six separate
rlassifications that one firm might not
get the whole state printing contract
on one bid 1t also makes the eXecu +,
i've council the printing committee
thus taking It from under the control
Of the governor.
To Lencthen Terms.
With very little opposition the SEN |
ate Of the Iowa legislature Tuesday |
passed the Coburn bill to make the |
erms of county office four wears
The bill provides that county treasur !
ers. county records and county coron- ,
4rs shall be elected for four years af |
er January ]. 1918 and clerks, audi |
ors and sheriffs after Jauary l. 1920.
rhe bill is said to stand good show |