The Topeka State Journal

OPEN UP SHOWS?
House in
Favor of Topeka
Theaters Running Sundays.

Other Commissioners, However,
Shy
at Proposition.

ENTERTAINMENT FOR SOLDIERS
That
Is
Aim
of
Those
Who
Want "Lid Lifted."

City
Ordinance and State Law
Must Be Considered.

J. E. House, mayor, today said that he would be in favor of Sunday afternoon opening of Topeka theaters in recognition of "every man's right to attend a theater on Sunday if he wants to."

The mayor's attitude follows agitation on the part of several influential Topekans and theater managers to open the shows between 1 o'clock in the afternoon and 5 o'clock in the evening in order to make the city as attractive as possible to visiting soldiers by "furnishing them with some place to go" while spending the week end here.

"My stand on Sunday theaters," said the mayor, "is not a new one. I have always believed that men and women should be permitted to go to a show on Sunday if they want to.

However, in order to open theaters here, every one interested must come to an agreement."

Other members of the city commission, in stating their attitude to reporters today, were inclined, however, to be shy at the proposition.

Porter Not Favorable.

"I won't say off-hand whether I am for it or ag'in it," said Commissioner W. L. Porter. "I am going to think it over and I think I'll be against it.

The theaters ought to be closed one day of the week to permit them to air out and get ventilated. People had ought to spend one day outdoors in the parks. I will not say that I am on record as against the theaters opening Sunday. I expect to keep my parks going all this summer and the concessions in them open, but I want to see the people get into the fresh air one day out of seven."

W. G. Tandy, commissioner of streets, protested the proposed opening.

"I'll take the same stand," he said, "that I did when the Chamber of Commerce wanted to open its pool rooms on Sunday for the soldiers. I don't think it necessary." The benefits to soldiers, Tandy inferred, is being used as a lever to Sunday opening.

"It's against the law," said Commissioner W. H. Wasson.

Ordinance Against It.

A city ordinance prohibits Sunday opening in Topeka. A state law also has something to say on the matter.

Those in favor of Sunday afternoon opening are trying to whip the ruling sentiment into line in favor of the opening on the grounds that it will benefit soldiers visiting here, and ultimately gain the consent of the city.

If the city government agrees to table the ordinance enough to provide the man in olive drab with Sunday afternoon entertainment, the state statute will still have to be contended with. In such a case Topeka managers would be given the opportunity of forcing a showdown in the state's policy of allowing theaters to run in Leavenworth and Atchison on Sunday and clamping down the lid in Topeka.

State officials would either have to close Leavenworth and Atchison theaters, as well as the ones in Topeka, or admit that they are playing politics in enforcing state laws.