Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 May 1909 — WAR IS STARTED ON SUNDAY BALL [ARTICLE]

WAR IS STARTED ON SUNDAY BALL

Captain of the Indianapolis Clnb Surrenders. NEW LAW TO BE TESTED Business Men of the State Metropolis Baid to Be Behind the Movement But Names, at Least For the Present, Are Not Being Made Public, Trial to Be Set For an Early Date. Indianapolis, May 25. —Hearing that an affidavit had been filed against him charging him with breaking the law by playing baseball on the Sabbath, Charles C. Carr, manager of the Indianapolis baseball club, went to the sheriff’s office and was placed under arrest. He was released immediately on S2OO cash bond. The affidavit against Carr was sworn to by Frank F. McCrea, a business man, who is identified with a committee of business men formed for the purpose of testing the constitutionality of the Sunday baseball act, passed by the last legislature. When asked for the names of the business men who are behind the movement to test tne Sunday baseball law, McCrea said that John H. Holliday was the only member of the committee who had the authority to give out information. Holliday said there was a general committee of business men interested in the case, and also a special committee, but that he was not at liberty to announce the names. As Chief Deputy Sheriff Portteus conducted Carr and his attorney to the clerk’s office, where the bond was given, the party encountered the Rev Joshua Stansfleld, an active worker against Sunday baseball, who was in the probate file clerk’s office on private business. The Rev. Mr. Stansfield smiled pleasantly at the men, not knowing their mission, as he was not acquainted with Carr. When Informed that an affidavit had been filed against the baseball manager, the Rev. Mr. Stansfleld acknowledged that he knew the names of some of the active members of the committee behind the prosecution, but he said he was not at liberty to make any statement. Holliday, who is understood to be chairman of the business men’s committee, said it was not the purpose of the organization to “play to the grand stand," and its only desire was to have the courts decide the constitutionality of the Sunday baseball act. He said no more arrests would be caused. The date for the trial of the case in the crinainal court has not yet been set, but arrangements will probably be made for an early hearing. After Judge Pritchard has announced his decision in the case an appeal will be taken to the supreme court by the losing side. It is not likely that the su preme court will take action in the matter before the baseball season is practically closed. It is stated the Ministers’ union is not interested in the test directly.