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Thursday, April 1, 2021

Blue Sunday Ordinances Keep Garages Closed in Charlotte, March 29, 1921

Gasoline Ruling Being Discussed. . . Further Efforts to Lift Ban on Sunday Sales May be Made

The city commissioners may give further consideration to the Sunday gasoline restrictions, it was intimated at the city hall Tuesday.

Persons favoring restrictions on the sale of gas are expected to appear before the board in the near future to present their side, it was stated, and the commissioners will consider arguments both for and against the prohibition of Sunday sales.

A committee of the Charlotte Automotive Trades Association, headed by Lee Folger, the chairman, went before the board of commissioners Monday afternoon to express opposition to the ruling.

“We were treated very courteously,” Mr. Folger said, “and told that the commissioners want to hear the other side before reaching a decision in the matter. We merely offered argument showing the necessity for the sale of gasoline on Sundays.”

James A. Bell of the law firm of Pharr and Bell, city attorneys, held that the sale of gasoline on Sunday is not a necessity, and comes within the ordinance prohibiting the sale of unnecessary commodities n the first day of the week.

The automobile men declared that the restriction has caused automobile parties touring the country to avoid Charlotte on Sundays because of their inability to secure gasoline or service at garages. Physicians frequently must obtain supplies of gasoline on Sunday in order to reach their patients, the automobile men contended. Several reasons were put forth tending to show that gasoline is a very necessary commodity and one that should be available at any time, both day and night.

Mayor Wilson said Tuesday that as he understands the ruling, in connection with the “Blue Sunday” ordinance, garages are not allowed to remain open on Sunday in Charlotte. They are expected to close their doors at midnight Saturday and keep them closed until midnight Sunday.

From The Charlotte News, March 29, 1921

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