Evening star., 1926-03-31
ADVISORY COUNCIL
OPPOSES BLUE LAW
Pending Legislation Disap.
proved, But One Rest Day
in Seven Urged.

Aftar deferring action on the pro
posed sunday closing laws for the Dis
trict at two previous meetings, the
Citizens Advisory Council last night
diSapproved the proposition by adopt.
Ing declaration that it recognizes
the economic necessity of one day of
f%Stsin seven.
The counclls action came as a dis
tlnct surprise, as previous debates on
the question had indicated that there
was Il strong sentiment in favor of a
reasonable Sabbath observance law
only one dissenting voice was heard.
however, when a vote was taken on
the motion to put the council on rec.
crd as recognizing the economic ne
CeSSity of a day of rest. This lone
negative vote was registered by
Charles a. Baker. who endeavored
strongly to have the council adopt his
report favoring the principle of the
Edwards bill, which would forbid com
inercialized sports and amusements in
the District on Sunday
Report Vigorously Opposed.
William s. Torbert and Harry ~
Stull offered The most vigorous op-
position to Mr.. Bakers report 1t
was the former who introduced as a
substitute 10 the report the declara-
ton that the council commit itself to
the proposition of favoring one day
Of rest in seven.
Arguments over the proposed sun
day blue la%'s, which led to the ac-
ton last night, were precipitated by
a report on the Lankford bill This
report also was presented by Mr..
Baker and opposed the measure.
When this Was disposed of Mr. Baker
urged consideration Of his report on
the Edwards bill, which he had twice
previously read TO the council. only
TO have action deferred.
During the debate on the report
Delegate Stull pleaded with the men,
bers to guard their action, as there
was no appreciable sentiment in the
District for Sabbath observance leg
isiation, and that virtually all. civic
organizations which had considered
the subject had voted in opposition
10 it. Delegate Torbert also pointed
out that there is considerable opposi.
ton to such legislation.
Offers Substitute Fiscal Plan.
The bill pending in Congress to con-
tinue the S9,000.000 lump-sum con-
tribution Of the Federal Government
toward the Districts expenses for two
years, meantime providing a joint
ate to investigate the subject of fiscal
relations between the United States
and District governments, was disap-
proved. On recommendation of Chair
man Jesse c. Suter, the council voted
10 substitute for this measure it's own
fiscal relations plan for a commission
10 investigate with a 6040 basis of ap-
preparation. The councils plan was
outlined in it's first legislative report
sent to Congress shortly after it con
Nened last December.
The bill proposing to charge tut
ton for nonresident pupils attending
the District public schools was APP
proved in principle. Amendments
were recommended which would limit
the number permitted to attend and to
base the tuition on all costs of in
structiOn instead Of the salaries of
teachers.
Nurses Home Bill Disapproved.
The council disapproved the bill pro |
viding for the erection of a fireproof |
home for Columbia Hospital |
for Women. The report on this meas |
ure, presented by George r. Wales |
pointed out that the merits of the bill |
are recognized, but that the bill should !
be enacted at some future time. The |
council also rejected, by a vote of 4 |
TO :, w. L. SWantOn'S report approx |
Ing the bill proposing the acquisition |
OF n part of the Dean tract at the |
northeast corner of Connecticut and |
Florida avenues for park purposes |
The council took the position that |
the acquisition Of this property for |
park purposes is desirable, but that it |
does not believe the plan should be |
made the subject Of special legisla- |
eiOn.
Delegate Swanton in a report rec
enamended the creation of a municipal |
reference and research library in the |
District Building. Such a library, he !
said, would be Of value to the Com .
lnissioners and other officials in aiding
to solve the many perpleXing prob /
lens that arise in connection with /
the varied activities of .
the city
Mr.. Swanton explained that there /
&0COS naEnTFAs@(@