THE " BLUE " LAWS.
A campaign by local clergy and church people to compel public authorities to stop Sunday cinema performances has led to wholesale resuscitation of the Colonial "blue laws" in New Jersey, These laws, passed in 1789 to prevent Sabbath-breaking, have long since been ignored but never repealed. The clergy and their supporters, contending that the public authorities have neglected their duty, demand immediate and strict law enforcement. The law plainly exists and it is not for the police to say that it is obsolete. Examination of the old Act, however, shows that it applies not merely to one form of Sabbath breaking but to many. Strictly enforced it would prevent the running of trams or trains, the sale of groceries, confectionery, bread, cigars, gasoline, or motor accessories, the playing of tennis or golf, courting or kissing and many other things which have become more or less part of the modern Sunday routine. Conse- quently the police contend that if the law is to be enforced against cinemas it must be enforced equally against all Sabbath-breakers. There can be no discrimination. As a result, hundreds of residents, storekeepers, motorists, and other violators have had their names and addresses taken on Sundays for possible future proceedings. So far no arrests have been made, as, appreciating the dilemma, the clergymen and their supporters wish to take legal advice before pressing the issue further. They are _still determined, however, to close the " commercial",, cinemas on Sundays. Supporting a similar movement in his town, the Mayor of Dover, Ohio, has ordered the police to use tear-gas bombs_ to_empty_. tbe ckterna.s on Sundays. •.
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