The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1919-04-18
WARM DEBATE
ON SUNDAY BILL
Opponents Say 1t viii Cause
LawIessness, Friends Claim
Restrictions Mean Revolt.
TO FIGHT APPROPRIATIONS.
Labor Clashes With Clergy on Bill.
Battle on Non-Partisan Lines to
Greet Measure Planning to
Spend at2,o0o,oo0

Trenton, April S.-Clergymen and
others who said they represented more
than 1.S00 New Jersey churches told a
committee of the senate that the Hy-'
land Sunday sports and movie" bill
would result in the commercialiZation
of the Sabbath. The supporters of the
measme took the position that the
masses of the people Of the state were
demanding it because of the increas-
ing restrictions now being placed, not
only upon their Sundays, but on all
seven days of the week. They held
that their personal habits were being
affected
The two sides in the debate on the
bill, which, if passed, will allow mo-
ton picture shows, concerts and sports
on Sundays, were wide apart. Those
who represented the churches took the
view that a reign of anarchy and law
lessness would follow the enactment
of the bill that would be real Bolshe-
vism, while those opposed said that
increased restrictions are doing part
to bring about a spirit. of revolt.
Charles Hespes, president of the
State Citizens League, led the attack
for those in favor of the measure,
which passed the house. He said that
it was home rule measure under
which the voters of any community
may determine whether Sunday
amusements, under the proper safe
guards, should be sanctioned. He ar
tR1
more than $50 years ago may have
been all right in their time, but they
are not in accordance with the pres
ent ideas and conditions. He said that
eventually the majority must rule. and
that the majority wanted Il liberal
Sunday.
Says Minority Is Ruling.
"The menace of Bolshevism is
threatening the entire country, de-
clared Hespes. Its spread is being
fostered by the efforts of small mi
nority to control the personal habits
of majority of the people. This is
not u bill to legalize anything, but
rather to submit to popular vote the
question of Sunday regulation.
The motion picture interests We're
represented by Walter Irwin, who told
of the work accomplished during the
war for the government by that indus
try. He said that the measure under
consideration was consistent with the
principles of liberty for which the
thousands OF young Americans died in
the world war He denounced the spir-
it of intolerance, which he said now
was abroad.
The difference in the demands of
the people of the larger cities from
those of the smaller communities was
dwelt upon by Mayor Gillen of New
ark, who said that the workers of the
tenements and the crowded cities are
entitled TO Sunday amusements Ar
thur f. Quinn, president of the State
Federation of Labor, said that labor
demanded the passage of the bill and
told of personal incident when. worn
out physically, he sought place of
amusement one Sunday.
81 searched through Philadelphia
and God-forsaken Camden he declar-
ed, ''for a moving picture show. but
could not find one
Thirty-three Bills Downed.
The opposition to the measure was
led by Rev. F. w. Johnston of New
ark, who gave some of his personal ex-
periences in following legislation of
this kind. and said that in u years 33
hostile Sunday bills had been intro
duced in New Jersey, but none of them
had passed. He declared that all of
these measures 10 desecrate the Sab
bath had originated in Jersey City,
although Assemblyman Hyland is from
Essex. Rev. DIR. j. W. Westcott of
Perth Amboy said he was familiar with
the desires of 26 nationalities and was
convinced that the demand for the bin
came from the moving picture advO-
Gates and not from the people Rev.
DR.. Fl. b. Ketcham of Trenton said the
ministers We're not merely opposed to
Sunday recrea alton. but 10 the CONNER
cialiZaton of the Sabbath
Prospects of a sharp fight of pure
ly non-partisan character upon the an
nual appropriation bill. carrying to-
tails of about S12,0O0000. keyed up in
terest in the opening of the final week
of the legislatures session. The fight
is to he waged by advocates of the
proposed New Jersey ship canal from
Bordentown to Raritan bay. who want
100000 as the initial item for the
acquisition of land for right of way
for the canal The Appropriation Com
mittee is said 10 have completed its
bill without including the 100000
item. for which Assemblyman Dallas
Young of Monmouth has put in vigor-
Gus licks. His claim has been that the
project has been sidetracl.ed by the
desire TO appropriate funds for the
Hudson tunnel and Delaware bridge,
for which S1,500,00O is TO be included
In the bill.
Senator Whitney chairman of the
Appropriation Committee, has stated
that, under the law by which the canal
was authorized, passed about seven
years ago, the state is 10 provide funds
No Partisan Wranges.
r. - Il i - 4 H..