Pueblo chieftain., 1921-02-20
VIRTUALLY ALL MIDDLE WEST
|STATESHAVE VEOBSOLE LAWS

Chicago. Feb. 19.-Recent agita-
ton on the subject of blue-law legis-
lation and enforcement has revealed
that virtually all of the middle-west-
ern states at the present time have
Sunday blue-laws, although many
have come to be regarded as dead
letter. statutes because OF non-en-
forcement. In a few of these states
there has been no state legislation
prohibiting Sunday amusements or
trade. but ordinances correspond ng
to Sunday blue-laws have been passed
by many municipalities in such states
The statute which is most common
In the different states is that which
prohibits the carrying on of business
or trade on the Sabbath, excepting
works of charity or necessity. In
most instances the works of charity
or necessity are enumerated and there
is provision. as a general rule, that
the statute shall not be so construed
as to affect persons who conscien-
tiously observe the seventh day Of
the week instead of the first as the
Sabbath.
In Indiana where agitators for the
enforcement of the blue-laws have
been especially active recently, there
is only one statute which pight be
considered as a blue-law. This sta
tute relates to Sabbath breaking and
in various ways by law enforcement
officers in the different localities.
The law provides a fine of 81 to so
for persons over IA years of age who
are found on Sunday ''rioting. hunt
ing, fishing, Quarreling, at common
labor or engaged in their usual avo-
cations" Persons engaged in works
OF charity or necessity are exempted
from the provision.
Baseball games are permitted be-
fyrN h - 4 vi
provided they are held not less than
1000 feet from any house o. worship
or permanent church structure used
for religious purposes. The baseball
bill was passed in 1909 and an amend
ment to the act regarding observance
OF the Sabbath. Three men repre-
senting- the National Reform associa-
ton have been touring Indiana for
several weeks discussing Sabbath OBJ
servance.
An Injunction obtained by tho
Princeton. Ind. Law and Order
league forbidding an amusement
company to run Sunday picture shows
was upheld by the circuit court In
South Bend recently. following fail
ure to observe an order issued by the
closed on Sunday. jury found that
Sunday dance hall was not ne
cessity that that the proprietor was
guilty OF violating the law.
An old Minnesota statute prohibits
on Sunday sporting events. exercises
and shows when they seriously inter-
rupt the repose and religious liberty
of the community" The law also
specifies that all trades. manufac-
lures and the sale OF merchandise,
except works OF charity and necessity
are prohibited on that day. An
amendment. however. permits Sun
day baseball between the hours OF l
and p. M, and ruling of tho
supreme court permits theaters In
that state to operate on Sunday pro-
vided they do not seriously hamper
or interrupt the Quietncss OF the
South Dakota also has one law
which bans all business on Sunday
except that which is absolutely mo-
cessary." Attorney General Payne has
cannot be enforced and bill has
bcen prepared to be submitted to
the state legislature which will legal
lied Sunday baseball. Two sets Of
bills also are being prepared. one
looking to the repeal of the present
blue-law and the other I -oviding .
new set of bluo-laws. Only bills pro-
hibiting Sunday baseball and Sun
day movies are expected to come be-
fore the present session Of the legis-
lature
Strictly speaking, there arc no blue
laws on the Missouri statute books.
There are n few laws which might be
so construed. according to Attorney
General Jesse w. Barrett. hut these
are what are known dead let
ter laws and are not enforced Only
one blue law. n bill to prohibit tho
operation OF thcaters on Sunday has
been introduced at the present lcgis-
1 lative session.
Iowa has the prevalent blue-law
providing n fine for persons who on
/ Sunday arc engaged in carrying fire
arms. dancing. hunting, shooting
horseracing or In any manner disturb.
/ ing a worshipping assembly or pri'
vate family. or in buying or scllint
property of any kind. or in any labor
l except that of necessity or charity.
The fine is 81 to So and the statute
provides for Imprisonment in case o
nonpaymcnt of fine.
Arkansas Sunday blue-laws INCLUDE
acts prohibiting exhibition of motion
pictures. vaudeville or other profcs
sional theatrical performances 70
which an admission charge Is made
tho sale of all merchandise, profes
sional baseball and the, playing o
> cards on Sunday.
Theaters are not permitted to op
crate on Sunday in North Dakota, bu
d under law inflated last sum
at a certain distance from "A church
= provided no admissions is charged
g Other sport events on Sunday witt
o the exception of hunting, are banned
T. Prize fighting is barred, but boSins
exhibitors with no purse and no de
! cision may he held. North Dakots
g also has law prohibiting sorvil'
u labor on Sunday excepting works o
: necessity or charity. and one prohib
fr,f- ual Of 10