New Britain herald., 1928-03-06
Unanimously in Support of Clergymen and Other RemOnstrants - filling Counsel for Theater h. terestS.


 failed in an attempt to take advan- tage Of the statute permitting local option on the question Of Sunday afternoon motion picture entertaain- Inents, when the ordinance commit tee Of the common council voted unanim ously last night to recom- mend that John s. Contaras and Peter Perakos. petitioners. be given leave to withdraw. The recommen- dation will be acted on at the regu- lar meeting Of the council, March Fl. Not a member ot the committee Not- Il in favor Of granting the petition. The motion disposing of the matter vas made by Councilman w. S. War er and seconded by Councilman |. '. Maxon.
 filling speaks for Theaters
 Judge B. w. filling, attorney gen. sral for Connecticut. represented the petitioners and in his opening argu i4,ent he said many New Britain people patronize Sunday afternoon movies in Hartford. Meriden, Bristol and other nearby places, a fact which works to the disadvantage of tho local theater owners who pay between sl7,00o and slS,o0o annual ly in taxes to the city, in addition to S4co 10 teh state as a tax on motion pictures and s375 for licenses. Pc licemen who would in all probability he pensioned because of long and faithful service, at an expense 10 the city, are employed in the theatars at the expense of the theatrical Inter ests, he pointed out. and he present. ed @,c0o cards, signed by men, Wo- men and children who favor Sunday afternoon pictures. Granting the pc tition would permit of one additional performance commencing at ?. ln,, he said.
 Rev. Samuel Sutcliffe. rector of St. Marks Episcopal church. inquired of Judge filling whether or not there were duplicates among the cards and the reply was that they had been sorted. Attorney A. w. Gpson want cd to know if the signatures had been checked to determine whether or not all signers were New Britain residents and Judge filling replied that he did not believe 1t possible 10 determine this question positively
 Clergyman Reads Rensonstrance
 Rev. William H. Alderson, pastor cf Trinity NJ. E. church. expressed the wish that he had Judge filling ability to express what he wished tt sa- IS quietly and calmly as Judge filling had done, without reading. He presented the following prepared statement:
 "To the Ordinance Commission o1
 the Common Council of the City o o. New Britain:
 I've, the undersigned clergy or the City of New Britain, hereby respect fully re-submit the following resolu' ton relative to the showing Of mo ion pictures on Sunday afternoons as provided for by local option under inc Law of the State. Senate Bill No 467. File No. 100. 1927.
 "And we would further call tnf commissions attention to the fact that this resolution indicates our at' titude not only at the time of the las petition, but also at the present ums and. so far as we can now see--l1 perpetuity, without change, since represents our stand on the nrinclpls of the issue involved. namely, sun jay observance.
 "Whereas, a petition-has been pre- sented to the Common Council re, questing the adoption of an ordl' nance to permit the showing Of mo ton pictures on Sunday afternoons leKinning at four o'clock tstandare time) and
 "Whcreas, we believe such actiof ne detrimental to the we'll being ol the city.
 "FYrst, because we feel that in th' course of years it will only mak' for further lessening of respect foi sunday, in the minds of q largt number Of persons. especially th' young.
 Second, because We know tha' every move Of this sort makes more difficult the essential work Of thosf itltSlOuS lbIfFN. W lii' II ht' 'iii'' VI ing 10 maintain and build up 'h' stability Of this community and this nation.
 Third. because we feel certaiE that it cannot seriously be dispu'ee that the greatest asset of this o' my other nation is the character O it's clIizanry and
 "Whereds. we object 10 the fur 'her encroachm"n' of the use O sunday as a time for operating commercial amusam.nts.
 "rirst. because the right 70 shoa sunday evening motion pictures Ina! already been granted.
 Second. because we note that 'o jay the tendency of Sunday operat ing businesses dispensing the n"c"s sites of life. is toward q lessenint of tho hours O! labor for the henefi of their employep and this wi'hou seriously hurting their recognizet service ot tha public
 Third. because the granting c The right to operate sunday 4,er non motion picture th@aters "oul' only give their owners q furth" special privilege for doing bushes under 'he protection Of tn" la" which privilege is denied practicall all other legitimate business inter ns's in this city, and
 "Whoreas. we believe that seyer night and six afternoons each weel are amply sufficient for th" p@opl of fho city 10 attend it's motion pic 'ure arnusnrnen's and for the mak ing Of legitimate profit on th moneys invested therein. and fur thermore
 "Whereas. we believe that. whil it is the function Of law 10 protec all legitimate business interests. II not The function Of law 10 create Q 70 provide special privileges for an industry.
 Therefore. b. f resolved. tha ue, the undersigned clergy of th