Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-17
HITS OPEN SUNDAY
AS BOLSHEVISM
Foe of Rorke Bill Brands
Agitation at Pittsburgh
Hearing
ONE WITNESS KISSED
Resolution Of Labor Unions
Supporting Sabbath Recrea.
ton Presented

Special Dispatch to EpsMinp Pubnc LedDer
Pittsburgh, March 17.--'rhe agitation
for Sunday amusements In Pennsylvania
was compared with Bolshevism today
by H. ID. w. English, an opponent Of the
Rorke bill designed to amend the blue
laws to permit movies, concerts and
other entertainments Of an educational
nature on Suiday evenings.
Mr.. English was one OF the speakers
against the Rorke measure before sub-
Judiciary special committee of the State
House Of Representatives at a hearing
here. A crush OF men and women from
Pittsburgh and many surrounding COM
munities attended the hearing, which
was held in the auditorium of the
Chamber Of Commerce.
Attorney John Laughlin, favoring the
bill, was hissed when he declared that
the Issue is not moral one. The chair
man had to rap vigorously for order.
Pleads for Movies
When Representative william F.
Rorke. father Of the bill, opened the
hearing about 900 persons were packed
inside the building and hundreds were
unable to get in. Dennis A. Harris, the
first speaker called by Representative
Rorke In defense Of the bill, made a plea
for the moving picture interests. The gov
eminent used moving pictures to enlist
support for war activities and used them
on Sunday. he said amid cheers.
Albert S. Peter announced as a speaker
Tor the mill workers, showed moving
picture OF the kind he said would be
shown Sunday evenings. After July
fst What Is going to be the working
mans recreation?" asked Mr.. Peter.
Keeping the Sabbath is not a duty
to be enforced by law, but a holy priv
ilege,' said Mrs johnson, formerly pres
ident of the Housekeepers' Protective
Association. She favored the bill
Unions Support Bill
A resolution in support of the bill
adopted by many labor unions in Pitts
burg and vicinity was read by Charles
l.. Miller, secretary Of Hosting Engi-
neers' Local Union No So, who warned
the audience that restricting the liber-
ties Of the people for harmless recrea-
ton was dangerous. Copies of resolu-
tions adopted by thirty-two unions were
given to the committee by Mr. Miller.
w. O. Tebor. secretary of the Ameri-
canization committee, asserted that he
did not believe 1t was good argument
to say that some people in favor OF
the bill are trying to Prussianize Amer
lea. He said that from fifty to one hun
dred Italians are applying daily to re-
turn to Italy, and declared that If they
H. L. co. $ln rsfir q y
purpose they serve America must be
made more attractive.
The Rev. DR.. j. K McClurkin, United
Presbyterian minister said the bill was
opposed by parents, teachers and the
church of God.
Teachers Oppose Measure
Moving picture men admit, the clergy
man said, they are interested In the In
creased revenues Sunday movies would
produce. "I have heard teachers voice
thankfulness that on Monday morning
the school could open without the chill
dren under the hypnotsm of the movies
they had seen the night before" the
speaker said. A resolution opposing the
bill adopted unanimously at meeting
of 1000 teachers was given the commit.
tee.
II submitted to a vote the bill would
be defeated twenty to one IN Armstrong
County, D. B. Reimer, former collector
of internal revenue, said.
Declares Soldiers Opposed
Soldiers In France are opposed to an
open Sunday. the Rev. DR.. Hugh T.
Kerr, Presbyterian minister, said. He
read n declaration against the conti-
mental Sunday signed by Brigadier Gem
eral Richard Coulter. of Greensburg
'''''o Rev nv Daniel Marsh, who was
director of Y. M C. A. religious activi-
-, rrncS for many months said
"Afc we going to do everything in
America they did In France? II we do
we will go out In the streets and bay
O., every one who disagrees with us
Soldiers want religious services on Sun
uav rather than movies, he declared
Ralph Clarke, returned soldier, said
the boys over there do not favor Sunday
amusements.
Besides Chairman Rorke the legsa-
tive subcommittee hearing the argu.
ments included Representatives Marcus
Of Pittsburgh, Fowler, Of Lackawanna
Charles c. A. Bald, Jr., and DIR. Theo.
dore Campbell. of Philadelphia. Todd
Of Allegheny; Sldelspacher, of Lycom-
ing ! Catlin, of Mexican; Evans. OF Ian.
caster, and Belard, Of Crawford.
The hearing ended at II 40 a. m.