The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1945-11-23
Ministerial Association Passes
Resolution On Law Enforcement

illCStllS Oll NuNSlHDSI iOtH.
/. We heartily commend the
Sheriff and other officials who
have made a substantial inn
provement in law enforcement,
particularly as regards slot ma
chimes and other degrading busi-
neSses.
2, We commend the City Off
cials for the various improve
ments made toward betterment
of Pascagoula's living conditions.
3. We deplore the flagrant and
open violation of the law which
is being tolerated, particularly
in the abuse of intoxicating
liquor, and the consequent
drunkenness, immortality and
breaking of homes. We would
call attention to the fact that
arrests for drunkenness decreas-
ed during strike periods, when
drinking houses were closed
but increased from Is on a week
end to AZ thereafter, and is on
the upgrade as more and more
men are urged to indulge and
thus dissipate their earnings
even before they reach home. II
such places were zoned so far
from residential sections that a
worker had chance to get home
without an urgent temptation,
many home would be happier
many a man would be saved in
his fight for temperance and de-
cency. On the contrary new sa-
looms or beer houses are secur-
ing permits right in the heart
of the city and even near resi-
dental areas, and old ones are
carrying on, often in open vio-
lation of the law.
4. AS ministers, we are con-
stantly meeting homes threaten
ed with disruption, and full of
unhappiness, instability, and
disaster invariably following the
formation of the alcoholic habit
by one or both of the parents.
Many of our young people with
money are fast undermining
their own happiness and destroy
ing any possibility of perman-
ent happy home, very often be-
cause this misunderstanding
poison is allowed to be bartered
and urged upon people on every
hand. No one who cares for his
brothers happiness can be indif-
ferent.
5. We would challenge the
Grand Jury, Courts, and Judges
to make crime, lawlessness, and
every nefarious trade that de-
grades, so improbable by heavy
fines and penalties that even the
entrenched big business in liquor,
etc, might find our country and
community Improbable We owe
it to the happiness of our peo-
pie to protect at least our youth
from the poisons that ruin. Why
control morphine and leave a
more subtle and effective drug
free OF control? Should our law
enforcement agencies capitulate
before organized vice?
g. We urge upon our City Of
ficials the courageous enforce
ment of the law, particularly in
regard to Sabbath businesses.
Not only movies, but filling sta
tions, drug stores, etc. are cir
cumventing the intent of the law
and forcing scores of employees
uselessly to work often all day
Sunday, with hardly any real
chance for worship or home life.
Necessary meeting of public
needs does not involve a license
to general trade, and regula-
ton on the basis of actual need
would free MANY PEOPLE FOR
A HAPPY AND WHOLESOME
resuscitation that comes with
true Sabbath observance. 1t is
not fair to infringe upon the
rights of others and upon their
happiness just because we have
an excuse that "gets by" the
law. II amounts to profitting at
the expense of the welfare of
our neighbor.
Unless effective steps are TAX
en- to check the present trends,
happy, successful home will
become the exception in our Com
munity, and the very foun-
dation of our Society will be
undermined. We plead for SINGER
itv in the consideration of the
real welfare and happiness of our
citizens.
7. We would urge parents to
reconsider the Importance Of US
ing Sunday afternoons for the
religious instruction of their
children and for clean fellowship
in the home and for wisely di-
rected recreation.
3. We suggest the planning of
public programs Sunday after
noon which are elevating, such
AZ band concerts of the highest
order, religious drama Or pro-
grams similar to those so popu-
lar in radio.