New Britain herald., 1927-10-11
SUNDAY AFTERNOON MOVIES BEATEN BY RELIGIOUS FORCES
Ministers and Priests Unite to Defeat Petition of Theater h.
 tereStS Before Committee
BOTH SIDES DETERMINED
 IN SPIRITED DISCUSSION

NlcrgNhaH, ftHus Long state
 mcnt Explaining Their Objection.
 --Supporters of Measure Sa, Workingmcn Need Additional En. | tertainment Facilities. Following one of the most spirit. cd hearings in city hall in some time, the ordinance committee O. the common council voted unani- mously last night to recommend tc the council at the meeting October 19 that Peter Perakos. ct al, peti- toners for the right 10 conduct Sunday afternoon moving picture shows, be given leave to withdraw While nor" than an hour was re uuired 10 hear the arCuments ot the proponents and opponents, th" committee took only a minute to act. Councilman John G. Buckley made the motion, which was sec onded by Councilman C. II. Naxon. and without debate or comment il was passed
 The sunday afternoon movie question vas one Of several mat ters before the committee. and AL derman D. l.. Nair. chairman, ask ed that all present express them selves if they wished to offer the comnittc" arguments on either side, as the hearing was open To the public and the committee wish "d to hear everyone. Manager (. C. Barrett of the Capitol theater opened tho argument with the statement that go per cent of 'ho theater patrons in the city appear ed to be in favor of Sunday after noon shows and had requested that they be given. Tn order to give loo per cent service as is given In other cities, we petitioned for the sunday afternoon shows" he said.
 Clcrgymcn's Remonstrancc
 Rev. Samuel Sutcliffc. rector of St. Marks Episcopal church. read the following:
 ITO the ordinance commission Of the common council Of the city Of New Britain:
 ''No. the undersigned. clergy of the city of New Britain. respectfully submit the following resolution rela- tive to the showing of motion pie tures on Sunday afternoons as pro- vided for by local option under the law Of state. senate bill No. 467. file No. 100, 1927.
 Whereas a petition has been pre- sented 10 the common council re- questing the adoption Of an ordi- nance to permit the showing Of mo- tion pictures on Sunday afternoons, beginning at o'clock Standard timel and
 Whereas. we believe such action would be detrimental 10 the well being Of the city.
 First. because We feel that in the course Of years it will only make for further l"ssening of respect for sunday, in the minds Of large of persons. especially the young,
 "Second,i because we know that every move Of this sort makes more lifficult the essential work of those religious forces. which are endcavor- nC to maintain and build un the stability Of this community and this nation,
 Third, because we feel certain hat it cannot seriously be disputed hat the greatest asset of this or my other nation is the character of ts citzenry. and.
 Oppose Commercial Sunday
 "Whereas, we object to the fur here encroachment of the use Of sunday as q time for operating com Gcrcial amusements,
 First. because the right 10 show sunday evening motion pictures has i. already been granted.
 Second, because we note that to- lay the tendency of Sunday operat- ! ng businesses. dispensing the necns- . ;itics Of life, is toward a lessening ,f the hours of labor for the benefit . # their employees, and this without l oriously hurting their recognized . ervice Of the public,
 Third. because the granting of . he right 10 operate Sunday after loon motion picture theaters would . nly give their owners further pecial privilege for doing business nder the protection of the law. which privilege is denied practically Il other legitimate business inter- sts in this city. and
 Whereas. we believe that seven ights and six afternoons each week re amply sufficient for the people f the city to attend its motion pic ire amusements and for the making f legitimate profit on the moneys lvested therein. .
 Quote Terms of Lease
 "Because confidence in the future : the motion picture business in this ty is manifested by the fact that ontract has actually been recorded eccntly in the town clerks office illing for the payment Of Sl25, 900 CT annum for the rental of three { 'eaters, the strand, the Capitol and ' le Palace, for a period of 10 years ' om date with the further proviso $ lat if a large profit is realized in ( le operation of those theaters. the { icess profit thereof is to be divided Iually between the lessor and the $ ssee. The actual arrangements of id contract are as follows:-