Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1917-05-31
Ruling on Sunday Amusements.


and park amusements are legal and
do not come within the scope of Iowa's
blue laws
Municipal Judge Meyer, Des Moines.
SO held in dismissing cases against
Tom Fairweather, owner of the Des
Miones baseball club, and various the
| alter owners who were arrested for
violation of the closing laws.
Judge Meyer says: Baseball can
not be classed or termed labor with
in the ordinary meaning as used in
the statutes. 1t is not probable that
the intention of the legislature or
provisions of the statute were intended
| to be so drastic as to make unlawful
| that incidental labor necessary to the
| enjoyment and exercise of that which
| the law does not prohibit.
1T is the opinion of the court that
| playing the game of baseball, with
the necessary and incidental services
required, is not a violation or tine
statute"
| The only question in the theater
cases was whether conducting a mo-
ton picture show is labor in the
sense that the term is used in the
blue. laws. The court holds that 1t is
not
| Judge Meyer holds that selling of
| tickets, usher services and the like
will come within the term necessity"
In his opinion Judge Meyer declar-
ed that Sunday amusement was more
necessary than the operation of street
cars and railway trains.
Judge Meyer says: The opinion of
| the court is that Section 5040 of the
| code was only intended to prohibit
sports and amusements specifically
mentioned therein, including those
which are disturbing in their charac-
ter, and that innocent recreation, re-
| taxation and entertainment, and all
| those activities that have become a
| part of our community life, as church
| services, entertainments which re-
Quire janitor, usher service, must
clans, etc., Chautauqua entertain
ments, band concerts, park amuse-
ments, picture shows, and all other
| innocent recreation and entertain
| ment with their necessary incidental
labors, do not come within the pro.
visions of the statute"
To Probe Cement Business.
| Investigation OF the alleged cement
trust, authorized by the legislature
last winter, will be commenced short
ly after July / by the state depart.
ment of justice.
The investigation was ordered as a
result of difficulties on the part of
Iowa counties. in purchasing cement,
uncovered by the state highway COM
mission, and called to the attention of
the legislature by Representative
James B. Weaver.
The sum OF $4,000 was appropriated
for the work, and the attorney general
| was authorized to employ special
counsel, summon witnesses, and 9TH
erwise get at the facts in the case.
Representative Weaver will confer
with Attorney General Havner soon
in regard to the investigation, and a
| plan of campaign will be worked out.
1t is expected that the evidence will
lead beyond the borders of the state,
and probably the effect of the Iowa
movement will be the presenting of a
complaint to the federal trade com.
mission, asking for federal action to
break up the combination, If any
| exists.
Attorney General Havner will prob
ably appoint special investigator to
to take charge of the matter. The ap-
preparation will not be available until
after July l.
Coal Law Will Be Enforced.
The labor department of the dairy
and food commission is making pre-.
parations to enforce an amendment
to the coal law Of the 37th assembly.
This amendment makes it a mis-
demeanor to represent that coal, char.
coal or coke come from any county,
state or territory other than that in
which the product is actually pro.
duced. 1t also prohibits representing
that coal contains more heat units
than it does contain.
Quarantine On Against Gooseberry.
Iowa is under quarantine for pine
rus.
This state is one of the middle west
states prohibited by the federal gov.
eminent of agriculture to ship out OF
the state or receive from out of the
state currant or gooseberry plants
The quarantine goes into effect June
LIST.
Havner Gets Many Inquiries.
| Attorney General Havner is receiv.
ing many visits and long distance tel.
ephone calls from county agents OF
the state asking for definite informa.
ton as to the importance of the blue
laws. Most of the attorneys have
promised Havner to carry out instruc.
tons to the letter.
Students Seek Farm Work.
A. r. Corey is still receiving letters
from eastern students who wish to
secure work on the farm. A telegram
arrived from Brooklyn stating that
ten students Of Brooklyn college are
anxious for farm jobs, though they
have had no experience in farm work.
Hoover Asks Iowa Aid.
| Governor Harding received a tele.
gram from Herbert C. Hoover, nation
al food commissioner, asking for his
cooperation in the food production