Evening journal., 1920-12-24
PROD POLICE TO
ENFORCE LAWS

continued from FIRST psSel
when the ministerial committee met
the Police Commissioners few days
later. they discovered that the Com
mission had no knowledge Of the con-
tents OF the paper previously submit
ted TO the chief Of police.
when the paper was produced ana
read by the secretary Of the Com
mission. rectain members OF the min
isterial committee spoke in favor OF
the request concerning the closing OF
the places named above.
In the discussion il developed that
both the Commission and the chief OF
police were agreed that II they acted
favorably in the matter OF the mild re-
quest OF the ministerial committee, Il
would mean that the propriet0rs OF
the places named would come Dack
and insist that the sO-called blue laws
should be invoked all along the line
in response to this the members
OF the ministerial committee replied:
we are asking only for definite. spe-
ciflc things, but II you, the Commits
sion. desire TO go tN limit, we are
with YOU
AT this point one OF the ministerial
committee remarked, as he addressed
The Commission, I'VE do not see why
sworn officers Of the law should hesi-
was no response.
Now what are the facts in this
much-moOted case2 A case which
seems TO be misunderstood by many
Here are the facts:
"This is not the first time that the
ministerial body has made a similar
request OF the Board OF Police Com
missioners. nor Is il the first time
that their request has been met with
a., I.Is
Ne are content TO let the public Judge
as to the reasons assigned by the
sworn executors OF the law as to why
they permit a multitude OF places Of
businesses TO remain open on the
Holy Sabbath. Places where nothing
but luxuries are sold. For nothing
was said about restaurants or eating
houses, only candy stores and cigar
shops
Let it be thoroughly understood
by the public that the ministerial
committee made It very plain that
they did not want 10 be compelled TO
prosecute In the cases named. They
simply followed the suggestion OF
His Honor Mayor William G. Taylor,
that an that would be necessary
would be for the chief OF police TO
send one OF his captains 10 warn the
olcnding parties against the lola
ms complained OF, and that would
suffice.
and let II be thorouehly under
stood that the failure OF the Police
Commission 10 comply with the mild
request brought by the ministerial
committee, puts upon private citizens
the burden seeing that the laws
against Sabbath dissertation are en-
creed.
Now. II It IS the business of private
citizens to invoke and enforce the
law, why have a Board OF Police
Commisslonersi The question would
seems TO be pertinent one.
We feel assured that the general
public will see the reasOnahleness of
The request made OF the, police au-
th0ritics relative 20 the Dissertation
OF the Sabbath. The only places men.
TONED were those places where mere
Injuries were sold. As was stated &
The members OF the Commission. Their,
was no desire TO raise the question
OF necessity, for Injuries are not ne
cessities.
AS The case appears. Il seems ahou
TO be This. Because a request is mad
TO close certain places where mer
Injuries are sold. those making IN
request are informed that they wOul
involve a uniform enforcement OF On
so-callcd blue laws That Is, be
cause the blue laws cannot be en-
forced, no laws respecting the desc
Grafton OF the Sabbath can be en-
forced Is not that about how IN
oase standsY We may be mistaken
but let the public judge.
And with malice toward none bu
charity toward ALL let 10 be under
stood, II these violations OF the Sab
bath continue without warning o
check on The part Of those who ar
sworn 10 enforce the laws OF on
commonwealth, the responsibility
cannot be placed upon private cit
zens. II IS quite apparent where N
general public will place the respons
bility.
FINALLY, we feel constrained 20 r,
mark that when our archaic and Gun
bersome city charter Is amended
win he wise 10 invest the mayor wit
executive powers and remove it fro
tri-headed commission. The may,
OF a city is supposed TO have execi
tive powers, IL Is not so In Wilmin