Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-08-21
MARYLAND.
Blue Lows
Might Hurt
Many People
MARYLAND.
BY GENE GOODWIN

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the view that no one should
have to work on Sunday. tMr.
Goodwin is q secret adherent
to the concept Of the five-day
week end.-Ed.l
But someone should warn
officials Of the Retail Auto
motive Salesrnan's Union that
strict enforcement Of blue laws
in this area. as they are de-
handing, could make their
personal Sundays quite q bit
bluer.
The auto statesmen, Of course,
are only interested in enforc-
ing the ancient blue laws as
they pertain to the sale of
automobiles. 1t seems that
some dealers have been re-
naming open on Sundays, app
parently hoping to get Sthe
jump on their competitors in
that highly competitive field
and perhaps reach 0 large
market not available on any
other day.
This has so upset the sales
mans union, which naturally
is concerned about holding
down the work week Of its
members, that recent appeals
were made to prosecutors in
nearby Maryland and Virginia
to enforce blue laws prohibit
ing Sunday auto sales and
many other forms Of labor and
recreation on the Sabbath.
Prosecutors in nearby Vir-
ginia and Prince Georges
County 50 far have SHE'D away
from stirring UP the hornets
nest that surely would result
If the blue laws were enforced.
Such laws are genuinely
repugnant to many citizens.
especially members Of religious
groups which celebrate the
Sabbath on some day other
than Sunday.
Who Gets Hurt?
But Montgomery County
States Attorney Alger Y.
Barbee has ordered a crack
down on the Sunday auto
tradesmen and future arrests
are rumored in that county.
Mr.. Barbee has sent letters to
several dealers on q list sup
piled to him by the salesman's
union, advising them that
their Sunday lahors are against
the law.
The explosive question
raised by such a breakdown
is just how far 1t win 60. win
it, fo- example, be extended to
include real estate statesmen,
who probably show and sell
more houses on Sunday than
any other day? Would it also
include the hardware and ap-
pliance stores that have taken
to opening on Sundays to &C
commodate the "do-it-your-
self" addicts?
Would 1t mean the arrest of
Sunday golfers and tennis
players who are on the courses
and courts before Q pm. and
after 6 pm?
AL Of those activities APP
parently are as illegal as Sun
day auto sales under q strict
Interpretation of the Mont
gomery blue laws.
Maryland Blue. Lows
Maryland has had some sort
OF law against working on
Sundays since l649. A l723
statute. still on the books and
still in force today, states that
mo persons whatsoever shall
work or do any bodily labor on
the Lords Day. commonly
called Sunday"
In the 1800s. two sections
were added to this 1923 blue
law. One prohibits the sun
day operation Of any dancing
saloon. opera house, tenpin
alley, barber saloon or ball
alley :"
The second section, and this
is the one the auto salesmen's
union wants to see enforced,
says that mo person shall sell.
dispose Of. barter, or deal in.
or give away, any articles Of
merchandise on Sunday. ex-
cept retailers who may sell and
deliver tobacco. cigars, ciga-
rettes. candy, sodas and soft
drinks, ice. ice cream, ices and
other confectionery, milk.
bread, fruits. gasoline, oils and
greases ;. drugs, newspapers
and periodicals"
Various amendments to
these original blue laws have
been passed by the Legislature
for most Maryland cities and
counties. In Monteomery's
case. amendments clear the
way for Sunday movies after
2 pm, Sunday bowling after
pm. in certain areas and
Sunday sports tsuch as golf,
tennis. croquet and baseball)
between 2 and 6 pm. as long
as the players keep ct least
100 yards away from the near
est church.
Auto Mons Conviction
Only last May. a Baltimore
County used-car dealer was
convicted Of doing business on
Sunday. and an appeal has
been taken to the Maryland
Court Of Appeals. In suspend
ing the minimum fine allowed
under the law, Judge Michael
Paul Smith of Baltimore
County Circuit Court suggested
that the General Assembly
should take another look at the
ancient blue law.
The legislators had a good