Will Even Block Choir Singers to Probe “Absurdity’’ of Blue Laws.
By the Associated Press.
JOHNSTOWN. Pa January 20 —A much perturbed and a little defiant citizenry tonight faced a Sunday without movies, sodas or gasoline as Mayor Eddie McCloskey prepared to show the people just how “ridiculous’’ blue laws are anyway.
Every business house got orders from policemen today to “pull down your blinds tomorrow and keep them down” under an edict of the mayor that a blue law of 1913 will be enforced to the last letter.
The mayor said he will back up the old law so well “that the paid choir singers will not be permitted to appear in the churches.”
It started when the City Council told McCloskey to close Sunday shows. This incensed the fiery mayor, so he ordered everything shut up.
“The Council wants to be ridiculous,” said McCloskey. “I am going to show just how insane blue laws can be.”
Several groups of alarmed citizens prepared to protest the whole thing as soon as the mayor gets back from Harrisburg, where he went on business today.
Evening Star, Washington, DC, January 21, 1934