Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-02-15
GIVES STAND
ON SUNDAY
!. WAR FILMS
R. B. Griffith Explains His
Position in Regard to
Question.
To the Editor:

To the Editor:
Inasmuch as considerable publicity
has been given to the question Of
showing government war pictures in
the theaters on Sunday n especially
,ly by a communication signed by the
executive committee of the Home
Loyalty league, 1 trust you will allow
further explanation regarding the
stand taken by the writer as presi-
dent of the State. Enforcement leagues.
There r a few things concerning
which the executive committee of the
Home Loyalty league is mistaken or
misinformed. They state that these
War pictures are being shown prac-
.ticallys at the command Of the gov
eminent. and contend that ct is a
ork. of such supreme Importance and
Of so sacred a character that it seems
especially proper that it should be
done On the Sabbath day."
1 could not think the U. s. governs
ment requested pictures shown in our
state on Sunday-and for more infors
nation l telephoned F. o. Hellstrom
at New Rockford and asked him IL
he a an order or request from the.
~. S. government to show these pic
lures on Sunday. He gave me to UNI
direction from the government to
show the pictures on Sunday. Still L.
could not help thinking Mr.. He'll.
Istrom had mistaken his authority.
So to satisfy myself. 1 sent a telegram
to President Wilson seeking the facts
concerning the war pictures. The fol-
lowing is the reply received:
Washington, D.. c.. Feb. IS, rs. q
"R. B. Griffith,
President n. D. Law Enforcement
"Grand Forks. N. D..
Your telegram to president refer
red to me for answer. Governor and
state council of North Dakota are
exclusively in control of film exhibit
ton. and the committee has not au-
thority in matter.
-"George, Creel."
Mr.. George Creel is the chairman:
of publicity committee in Washing
ton. He, answers for the president,
and states clearly that the Washing
ton committee, appointed by Presi-
dent Wilson. has not authority in the
matter of the, exhibition of war pic
lures in North Dakota. but it rests. ex-
clusively with the governor and the
N. d. State Council. which the gov
ernor appoints. Let this be clear in
the minds Of every me-. The claim
by anyone that the u. S. government
makes any order or request to have
war pictures shown in North Dakota
on Sunday contrary 7 to law in this
state is not correct, but is entirely
misleading and this fact should be
given wide publicity. Z.
The executive committee, OF the
Home Loyalty league states that, no
member of the committee has any in
terest in the. matter. other than to. do
his duty. I do not question that m
any way. but everyone knows that
home loyalty calls for loyalty to- home
laws. For the information Of the
committee I beg to call their attention
to City Ordinance No. POP, from,
which, I quote: sit shall not be law
the week commonly called Sunday ia
engage in any ordinary labor, tradesor
business, or to keep open any. house
trade, shop or place of business4or
amusement except in case Of actual
necessity &g
The Home Loyalty league intentions
are certainly to uphold sthe laws OF
our state. anything else would be an
archistic. So let me call attention ia
the state law governing the openins
of moving picture theaters on Sunday
(Sec. 1921. compiled laws Of NORTH
Dakota1. -a
ct shall BE-, unlawful to keep open
OTTO run or permit the cunning 81
aasany theater, show, moving picture
III STOW, OF Lneayrlcal performance upon
the first day OF the wekkacommonlJ
called the Sabbath"
M. +. o. Hellstrom:had a bill pre.
sented at the recent special session OF
the legislature to fegalize the showing
OF the government war pictures 81
Sunday. The bill failed to pass-the
state government by this act con,
Sfrmed the present law both. In ia
spirttSand letter The attorney zen.
eral,sstrue TO his habit Of obeyine iii
oath OF Office, has called upon TIL
county attorneys 70 ehforce the Law
The governor has aforementioned an
Sunday showing OF war pictures. and
VII; uphold and maintain the laws q
TIE state.
Now, these are the simple facts ii
regard tozthe showing OF war picturS,
o n Sunday: 4 submit "a the executiVt
COMMITTEES Of the Home Loyal,
league that III would promote lOyAftl
10 the sGate and nation II, instead 8.
trying to defeat, and trannpIe MOI
our laws, they would Join In an 5efior
TO give, a large stioWing tostiiese Roy.
eTnIDeit pictures on week days. and
would bef glad TO contrIbuke Toward
the expense 81 maaing ~ possible Il
SHOW 5theng pictures 10 Dur schoo
.iAlkfIAyam $fSIk 0SgQ4fsrrAa - teS3s4geS.