Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-05-15
CLERGY MAY OPPOSE
SUNDAY BALL IN PARK
Sabbath Association Indicates
Some Action Will Be Taken
on Fairmount Decision
WILL NOT DISCLOSE NATURE

Action may be taken by the Phla =
delphia Sabbath Observance Association
on the move made yesterday by the
Fairmount Park Commission in sane
tioning Sunday sports. The nature of
the plans being considered to fight the
decision is not disclosed.
rotary of the association, which has
led the fight against Sunday sports in
Fairmount Park, today refused to com
ment on. the commissions action.
- The playing of uncommcrcializcd
baseball, golf and other outdoor games
in Fairmount Park and in all other
parks and places of recreation under
the supervision of the park commits
sion on Sundays has been officially
sanctioned.
This action was taken at the monthly
meeting of that body yesterday. The
matter was first introduced in the COM
mission one month ago by William
Findlay Brown. and was referred to the
committee on supcrintcndance for CON
sideration.,
Have Held Executive Sessions
1t was disclosed during the session
that the committee has held several eX-
ccutivc sessions recently. and had be-
4 fore it the Rev. Mr.. Mutchlcr and
Representatives. of other religious Or
ganizations, which have opposed the
proposition to permit games of any
character to be played on Sundays in
the peoples pleasure grounds.
The matter was brought to the atten-
tion of the commission yesterday by
Chairman NEi *. Price, of the COM
mittce on supcrintendancc. who sub
mitted the following report:
"trhc committee on superintendent.
to which was referred for inquiry and
report the subject of playing such games
as baseball, tennis and other sports in
the parks on Sundays, has carefully
considered the subject, including num-
ber of communications from individuals
and organizations. expressing views
both for and against the use of the
parks for games on Sundays.
Golf Played at Cobbs Creek
'"Thc game of golf has been regularly
y played on the public course in Cobbs
Greek Park on Sundays ever since the
course was opened by the commissioners
three years ago, while baseball has been
constantly played in various parts of
Fairmount Park on Sundays for some
time, without objection by any one.
''1t has not been the policy Of the
commissioners to interfere with any
< kind of recreation in the parks under
( their control, so long as it is conducted
( in an orderly manner and with due re
gard to the rights of others than those
engaged in it. This result is one that
in the opinion of the committee can be
readily secured in every case by proper
supervision by the park guards under
the general direction of the chief engi
4 neer.
''The. committee therefore deems il
y unnecessary to recommend to the com
[ missioners the adoption of any regula :
L tion, prohibiting the playing of any Or
! DERBY game on Sundays in any of the
parks under its control
The report was approved and Mr..
Brown made IL motion. which was unan
imously adopted. to the effect that the
commission permit the playing of base
ball, golf and other games in Fair
mount, Cobbs Greek and other parks
Z on Sundays, under such regulations and
at such places as may be designated by
& the chief cnginpcr