Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-05-29
PLAYERS MINIMIZE
SUNDAY GOLF FIGHT
~ Cannot Understand Why
Churches Oppose Beneficial
Exercise" Says Hunsicker
NO HARM DONE, HE AYERS

No concern is evident among the
golfers of this city over the proposed
campaign against Sunday golf by Bishop
Joseph f. Berry. of the Methodist Epis :
copal Church, DIR. Thomas T. Mutch
Ter, of the Philadelphia Sabbath Asso
citation, and other churchmen, who are
opposing Sunday sport at the various
golf clubs around Philadelphia.
The attitude of number of leading
golfers today showed that the general
comment was one Of resentment against
what they consider to be an unjust at
tack upon a harmless recreation, and
they do not think that the opposition
will be successful.
The majority of clubmen refused to
make any definite statement cor publ
cation, and those who did took the
same point of view as Charles Hun
sicker, prominent attorney and member
of the Philadelphia Cricket Club, who
said:
Il cannot understand why these
churchmen should attack harmless
recreation, such as Sunday golf is. a
man who is busy all during the week
should have the right to beneficial ex-
ercise on Sunday, aud he is better men ..
tally, physically and morally for IL.
Sunday golf need not interfere with
church attendance, and | cannot sec
upon what grounds this complaint is
being made. The rector of the church
which L used to attend advocated re
creation upon the Sabbath as long us
we were present for the services.
Sunday golf is just as much a vio-
lation of the law as is the playing of
any other game. What action will be
taken against it remains to be seen, 4"
said Doctor Mutchler
The Sabbath Association secretary s
declaration followed vigorous denun-
citation of Sunday golf by Bishop Berry,
of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Bishop Berry in Il statement cx-
pressed regret that the Interchurch
Federation had pot joined the battle
against games on the Sabbath.
Plans have been prepared, according
to Dr.. Mutchler, for effective action
against the order of the Fairmount Park
commissioners, permitting games in that
big pleasure tract on Sunday.
The plans will not be revealed" said
Doctor Mutchler, until we are ready
to 'act. / have been in this business
for twenty three years. and l try to
prevent anybody from pulling anything
over"
Bishop Berry has indorsed the posi-
tion taken by Professor Wilmer. of the
University of Pennsylvania, relative to
Sunday athletics in Fairmount Park.
Bishop Be VS. statement, in part, fol-
lows:
Professor Wilmer suggests the min
;sters who are protesting against the
action of the Park commissioners should
say something about the actions of their
rich parishioners who play golf all day
Sunday" the bishop said. with the
professor ] heartily agree. That this
golf-links Sunday dissertation has gone
on so long almost without any rebuke
has caused wide and bitter comment
among the poor. who have been denied
recreation even in less conspicuous
forms.
1T has been done in violation of the
law of God and the commonwealth. and
is not only. serious reflection upon the
participants, but. if they are church
members, it is no special credit to the
churches to which they belong. Rich
aristocrats have no more right to dis
regard the law than the poor and
humble"
Bishop Berry criticized the Park
commissioners for their action in per-
mitting Sunday athletics in Fairmount
Park and found fault with the Inter
church Federation for its failure to act
upon this moral issue" The Rev.