The Carbon County news. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1924-1931, 1929-09-19
PENNSYLVANIA MAY
BE MORE LIBERAL
Campaign for Modification
of Blue Laws,

liberalize the Pennsylvania blue laws
passed In 1894, an amalgamation has
been effected between two Of the prin-
cipal organizations favoring modiiica-
tion 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 board
of directors, represents more than
100000 members. has merged with the
Open Sunday league Of Pennsylvania
for the common cause. The latter or
2anlzation claims to have $4,000
members.
In furtherance of the campaign Of
the combined organizations, the news
papers of the state, so 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 modidca-
ton or repeal of the 1904 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 S4 fine for violation of the
Sunday closing law, and that the char
ter of an amusement park, for In
stance, cannot be revoked Ii 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 $4 and has paid 1t
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 a
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
it 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, busses, automobiles, tele-
phone, telegraph, and even radio, as
all these are worldly business
Pointing out that commercial
Sunday" Is not desired or welcomed
by his organization, Mather declared
that he Is cot 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.
1.-THE blue law Of 1904 must be re-
pealed or modified" Mather said. 100
long have the poor people been made
to seek their recreation and pastime
in other states on Sunday. Pennsyl-
vania drives its 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"
ests-sifs-ss.-sTTSees ec4s