Vancouver’s Sunday Shutdown

The saloon keepers of Vancouver, Wash., have had the city closed effectually on Sundays, all the business places being shut. The city presented a deserted appearance, nearly every one going elsewhere, as there were no places open at home. The saloon element formed an association and decided to make all the business houses close according to law. They sent a committee to notify all of this fact. The Sunday before, they gave the same notice, but many kept open in opposition, so a second notice was given, with threats except arrest. The saloon men went so far as to order the shutting of the electric light station and shut the plant on Sunday evening. Even the ferryboat officials were forced to tie up the boat, trying to prevent travel to and from the boat. But many persistent propositions failed to move them. The milk dealers have failed to fill their usual deliveries on Sunday and no bakeries are open, and consequently the inconvenience is great. The saloon men are trying to secure some sort of a compromise whereby they can keep open their places of business on Sunday by way of rear doors. Unless they receive such a compromise the fight promises to be a lasting one. Vancouver has long been considered a wide-open town, but it is now the reverse, and not a quieter place on Sunday can be found anywhere.