Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-02-11
OPINIONS DIFFER AS
TO BLUE LAWS
CONTINUED from First Pagc.l

their resolutions affirm, would be
a blow TO the church," adding, I'VE
respectfully ask that the churches
of our state be protected to the ex-
tent of at least one day of the week,
in order that they may do the most
important work in various interests
seeking changes in human life."
A Liberal Churchman
Some churchmen. however, are
of the opinion that the amendment
holds much of good. Father Dan
iel j. Carey, rector of st. Patrfck's
Cathedral, the largest Catholic
Church of Central Pennsylvania, be-
lieves the measure is a good one
If it doesn't interfere with church
services" The old laws are out
of-date" and should be thoroughly
revised that they may be brought
up-to-date" and meet the changed
conditions" Father Carey main
tains. Lectures. entertainments and
sports as provided in the measure,
Father Carey says. will aid in pre-
venting much mischief and will fur
nish healthful recreation to the per-
sons who have little opportunity
for such entertainments during the
week. But Father Carey was quite
emphatic in his contention that any
such entertainment as may be per-
mitted should not interfere in the
least with Sunday church services.
The Mayors Attitude
While Father Carey's measure has
been characterized as somewhat
liberal, 1t is meeting with hearty
approval from many city people,
not only of his denomination but
of others as well. Mayor Keister
ho At III T.,
favor of the repeal OF the old "Blue
Laws" and the enactment of some
up-to-date measure to replace the
obsolete measures.
Mayor Keister declares that a man
, who works throughout the week Is
fully entitled to some recreation on
sunday such as would be furnished
by movies" lectures. orchestral en-
tertainments. etc. But excessive lib
erality in the conduction of such en-
'tertainment must be guarded
against. the Mayor believes. declar-
ing that they must be we'll restrict
ed. In his indictment of the "Blue
Laws" Mayor Keister affirms that
they are hopelessly out of date, that
they are violated each week by hun
dreds of persons and that they
should be modernized.
concerts approved
Sunday concerts meet with the
approval of Lieutenant David M.
Clark. leader of the old Eighth Reg
iment band, and Frank Blumen-
stein. leader of the Municipal band.
All music is more or less sacred,
these men believe, and the permis-
sion to hold Sunday concerts would
not detract in the least from the
solemnity of the day and would do
much to add to it. Movies" and
theatricals. however, do not meet
with their approval.
The Thcater Mans View
"I believe the bill to repeal the
Sunday closing laws will have the
sincere approval of every motion
picture and theatrical man in the
state" said Peter Niagara, owner
and manager of the Regent theater.
Few people know exactly what the
Sunday closing laws prohibit. They
keep us from using the theaters
for Sunday afternoon meetings OF
any sort. Now if we had the repeal
of the Sunday closing laws before
us, we could throw the theaters
open for Sunday afternoon organ
recitals.' and religious meetings.
There are scores of theaters in the
state with magnificent organs which
could be used. There are also hun
dreds of people who don't know
where to spend their Sunday after
Moons. I am sure no minister
would object to a recital and few
educational pictures for the benefit
Of a worthy. charity. The Regent
with it's Mohler four-manual organ,
would be gladly turned over for oc-
casional affairs of this sort. That Is
why / am in favor of having the
old BLUE Laws" repealed. They
are obsolete and antiquated, made
to fit a former generation"