The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-07
CLOE ORDERS BLUE LAW ID CURB PLAYING
Commissioner Says Citizens Demanded Enforcement Of Dusty Ordinance, Which Prohibits Even Dominoes EAST LAKE IS EXEMPTED FROM GENERAL GROUP Wynn Gave Opinion To Me- Duff On Matter September 25, Learned When Letter Is Given Out On Saturday

Blue law Sundays for Birmingham
 Orders were issued to the police department Saturday to arrest any on Sundays playing golf, tennis baseball, football, croquet, pool, bll- lizards. dominoes, cards or any othel indoor or outdoor game Of any sort Automobile parties are said to oe within the pale.
 The matter is covered by sections of the state code and is further provided for in city ordinances. me law has been investigated by the city legal department, considered oy the city commission and now tho po- lice will act.
 Commissioner W. B. Cloe of the de- partment of public safety, after con ference with Chief of Police Fred A. McDuff issued orders for drastic en- forcement The chief gave instruo- tions to the police captains Saturday morning and the entire department has been notified to arrest all Moia' tions of the law on club Brounos' in club buildings or anywhere the oI- ficers come In contact with violations.
 The presidents, secretaries and other officials of the various clubs in the city and organizations maintain ing club rooms, including the south ern club. Elks, Birmingham Athletic club, Young Mems Hebrew associa- tion Country club and all similar in- stitutions within the city limits nave been sent letters by the police de- partment notifying them Of the rlglo application of the laws.
 The matter came up through the report of a game of billiards or pool being played in the Young Men Hebrew association on sunday a week or so ago. Chief McDuff said that Mir Cloe and himself assumeu full responsibility, that the law mace the provisions and 1t was the simple dflty of the police department 10 carry out the law, which would be done to the best of the ability of the department.
 Brings Matter To Climax.
 Despite the audiences and unfore- seen attitude In the matter, there were many Saturday who welcomed the turn events have taken, Tor the authorities and others say they want to see if Birmingham is In earnest about having blue laws, since they are on the list of ordinances. Ihe present campaign will be carried through, 1t is said, with such will that the stand of the public will have n fair opportunity for sincere ex- pression through observance of the laws and backing and cooperation giver police in the matter.
 Or word paragraph of city ordi, he whole matter in regard to U,r. gham hinges. It is as fol- lows
 .Section 1762. Engaging in sport. Any person. who engages in any sport. game public exercise or exhibition on sunday, must on conviction be punished as provided in section 12l6 of he code of Alabama"
 That is Fl there is to it The state code provisions are so con- structed they are said 10 be some- what obscure and may need the am- plif cation of a city ordinace to make them hold The mater Is understood to be in the hands of the city au- thorltles for the existing laws with the ordinance paragraph make a more complete law, but without the ordi- nance 1t is questioned whether or not the blue laws can be enforced. so 1t is understood to be matter ot choice with Birmingham. Repeal of the paragraph by the city commits sion would end the mater of blue laws for this city entirely.
 In addition to the application of the law in regard to games and sports it was said in the city hall Saturday that other paragraphs of the same laws and ordinances are just as specific regarding all other forms of Sunday violation and 1T the laws are to be enforced as they stand. instead of Just a part of them as now planned the only thing all lowable in Birmingham on Sunday Is the filling of a prescription written by licensed physician. The law is said to be just as clear regarding sales of any kind as it is regarding golf or billiards.
 East Lake Is Exempted.
 East Lake park seems to bear a charmed life, for it was officially stated Saturday the law will not be applied there. Just how or why 1t is immune was not stated. but it is 10 be spared. and citizens may dis port themselves about the park, row. ride swim and buy things on one side of the fence, while they would be haled into court for any of these acts committed outside the charmed enclosure.
 Unfeigned disgust was express ed bv many at what they called the picking and choosing of those who are to be picked on," for the law specifically covers, 'investieation showed. nearly everything usually indulged in on Sunday. while the orders are to enforce only some of the matters to which the law applies.
 What is expected from the deyeI- orment is a show down. and there were no few who said a show down would be sought. If the law applies to all, 1t was said. 1t should be en-