White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1929-10-18
PENNSYLVANIA MAY
BE MORE LIBERAL
Campaign for Modification
of Blue Laws.

Philadelphia, Predetermined to
lberalize the Pennsylvania blue laws
passed in 1894, an amalgamation mas
been effected between two OF the prln-
cipal organizations favoring modihca-
ton of the law insofar as 1t affects
Sunday amusements here.
The Anti-Blue Law Association OF
Pennsylvania, which, according to
John Mather, chairman OF Its ooard
Of directors, represents more than
100000 members, has merged with the
Open Sunday league of Pennsylvania
for the common cause. The latter or
ganization claims to have 375,OOO
members.
In furtherance Of the campaign OF
the combined organizations, the news
papers Of the state, 80 per cent OF
which are said to favor liberalization
Of the law, are being canvassed to de-
termine the attitude of the people Of
the state toward proposed modifica-
ton or repeal Of the 1894 statutes.
Considerable impetus has been given
the movement by decision OF the
Dauphin County court at Harrisburg.
The court, In effect, held that an In
dividual can be penalized only to the
extent Of a 81 fine for violation Of the
Sunday closing law, and that the char
ter of an amusement park, for In
stance, cannot be revoked If held by
an individual because an individual
has no charter to revoke.
Calls Statute Ludicrous.
The case considered the operations
on Sunday of Woodside park, an
amusement park near here. The pro-
prietor was fined 81 and has paid it
every Monday while the park has been
In operation. Officials Of the Anti
Blue Law association and Open Sun
day league have pointed out that I'M
der the decision of the Dauphin coun-
ty court the 1894 statutes constitute
"class legislation" because while. an
Individual can operate by paying
small fine, corporations, such as the
Philadelphia baseball clubs. are not
permitted to open, as they run the
danger Of quo warranto proceedings.
The Athletics, Philadelphia American
league club, had such an experience
some time ago.
Mather holds that the decision of
the court makes the 1894 statute
"more ludicrous than ever"
IF the law permits an individual
to play baseball or operate motion pic
lures on Sunday" Mather said, "then
1t is nothing more than class legisla-
ton when the same right is denied
corporations.
Could Stop Trains.
"The law as It exists on the statute
books It present could, If enforced,
stop the railroad companies from oper-
ating trains bar the operation of
street cars, buses, automobiles, tele-
phone, telegraph, and even radio, as
all these are worldly business
Pointing out that a commercial
Sunday" is not desired or welcomed
by his organization, Mather declared
that he is rot SO much concerned with
the open or closed question as he is
with the fact that Pennsylvania is
made "a laughing stock in other
states which do not have such strin-
gent laws.
'The blue law of 1894 must be re-
pealed or modified" Mather said. 'Too
long have the poor people been made
to seek their recreation and pasti1ne
In other states on Sunday. Pennsyl-
vania drives it's people and visitors
out the latter part of the week. Peo-
pie who work five or six days week
are most surely entitled to some en-
tertainment Sunday afternoon and
evening"