Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-04-06
White Spots iu Riclnnond':, Blue

c tNb-Nl III tlcnmOnn!
~ What Will you have to drink, gasoline
or water?
1t must be one of the two; there is no
other alternative.
Richmond's blue laws make i, So
& Water is free aud more or less plentiful.
Even OH Sunday it is no crime to drink it.
The holierthan-thous permit that indu-
gencc without protest. That is, if one is
content with the real James River water
Naturally, the prepared kinds that must be
purchased are barred. To pay ) cents for
Q glass OF mineral water would be n henous
offense against the majesty OF the ldw--as
Richmond constructs the law-and ii might
land the seller in Jail along with the boot
leggers and burglars.
But gasoline is plentiful. II is not par
ticuiarly popular as beverage. but there
are other practical uses TO which it may
be put Neither is il free. But. unlike
water, it can be purchased on Sunday All
one needs is the price. Thus does Rich
mond class it With the necessities. while
cooling beverages for the ,hirsty-James
River water always excepted along with
food for the hungry, take their exalted rank
among the Injuries that are denied the poor.
on Sundays.
81 When .lr. Dough rides out in his limou-
sine. OF even Mr.. DubN in his niyver. ON
Sunday. and runs ont Of gas, the situation
presents no embarrassment There are ser
vice stations galore ready and anxious TO
Sell gasoline in unlimited quantities even
on Sunday 4.had wlHile purchasing ras he
may note NstfkAien busy measuring out oil
selling or changing tires, or making repairs
10 cars shat have encountered trouble
AIR. Dongh--or even Mr. Dubb-driycs
away from the garage or service station.
open for business seven days in the week.
Out into lie open country for pleasure and
recreation, and as he goes he encounters
hot and tired and dusty men and womer,
and children. They cam, afford to ride in
automobiles. They haven, the price of a
thankful o. Gas. Perhaps even street car
tare for the family is too cx;ravagant after
Tie iooG nro.te2r ana the rent gOugcr have
depleted the little weekly store. They
might indlrlge in few glasses OF soda wafer
or bit of candy for mother and the Kid
dies while father permits himself q cigar
PAL NO, II Is sunday in Richmond and the
mana Oh the law is raised forbdding!y
,"''''i9' '!Fi''. / HOu Snalt not meets
them al every closed door. They must go
uFed and thirsty, the while with eyes that
do not understand and with hearts ina,
are resentfu they watch the MIR. Dougbs
rolling ur in their automobiles. buyiny
gasoline ana other essentials 10 their sun
Gay pleasures, and then rolling on into Tho
country while the law obsequously tins its
nat And still! we wonder why Ho!sb,yis,,
grows.
How much longer viii Richmond conscn,
70 De RIDDEN D! It's blue Law czars? How
much longer will its authorities co,tinr.
10 discriminate between The automobile
owning class and those WHO psriy,r,. mn,
ma 'hflf nieH5 dres afoot? Why does it
make fish OF one and fowl OF auo:bnry
h'chhtohc rs satisfied TO be a blue
law c!ty--even If that docs mea. ruricir,o,
'sc'eine-ie' IT cease TO make iny.-ious ais
atinctioHs Let II enforce the laws 81, ,ta
ia"a--'o me letter SO long as it closes
np tie soda water fountains the ,oh,coa
acounters and AL the other sources Of ano-
cent amusement. let II go TO the h,r. r,,,;.
api Dlnehess and put NJ the iron bars across
call those places where the more a0luan, -,
Sort to make their Sunday purchases.
~. If Richmond doesn't want 20 rcyert 10 ,b
rural village type by such an cnforccn, on,
of the blue la US, then let il get rid NJ H.,
But ~hlie they are on the books. t, II give
the people who walk and are thirsty an
equal chance with those who ride ana need
Z gas.
~ Iset IL he said frankly that Richmond is
! following towards course |, N permit.