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Gloucester Section 
SHORE BREEZE > 
NORTH 
GLou CHESTER OFFICE, 16 BI 16 BROWN’S BLDG., PLEASANT ST. 
(THE MATTER OF SUNDAY 
i SHOWS. 
, The Municipal Council by a vote 
of three to two again granted per- 
jmits on Tuesday for the two local 
fheatres to give Sunday concerts. 
After all the agitation, all the 
‘speechmaking, all the arguments and 
all the hard feelings that have been 
engendered by the controversy, the 
‘members of the council voted just as 
vhey have been doing right along. 
Mayor Patch and Alderman Mont- 
“xomery voted against the shows, and 
BR iderinen Barrett, Merchant and 
Oonahue voted for them. An effort 
-was made to grant the Sunday li- 
senses for three months, but as that 
would be a violation of the law and 
lv as so pointed out by Mayor Patch, 
‘he motion was dropped without being 
put to a vote. 
It is required by the statute that 
jhe theatres make application every 
Meek for permission to give Sunday 
‘herformances. 
_ The proceedings were made inter- 
‘sting and enlivened by Aldermen 
“tarrett and Donahue, the former 
‘eading a clear, concise and thought- 
‘ul statement as to why he did not see 
t to change his vote from “aye’’ to 
ppno.” Alderman Donahue delivered 
<n impassioned address in which he 
fhok the Board of Trade to task for 
_jttempting to interfere in the matter. 
fe also threatened to introduce an 
“rder directing the City Marshal to 
‘ereafter arrest any man found 
_ orking on the fish wharves on Sun- 
; ay. 
‘This Sunday show business has 
J pen the means of developing an un- 
‘yrtunate amount of bitterness and 
“ard feeling. No good has been ac- 
“\mplished and the opponents of the 
anday shows naturally feel cha- 
‘ined and disappointed over the out- 
me of their efforts. 
On the otherhand, the pro-theatre 
ople feel jubilant and are inclined 
‘do more or less crowing over their 
: 
"ccess. However. it may truthfully 
said that the advocates of Sunday 
‘ows have conducted their campaign 
mg dignified and conservative lines 
d are entitled to much credit for 
» restraint they placed upon them- 
rves in the face of bitter and un- 
‘ed for attacks. 
We believe that each member of the 
municipal council acted conscientious- 
ly and in accordance with his own 
good judgment in voting as he did and 
if the unfortunate controversy has ac- 
complished nothing else, it has shown 
that the council of the City of Glouc- 
ester is composed of men of back- 
bone, whose principles and convic- 
tions are not to be swayed by the 
clamor and demands of the public. 
AN IMPORTANT HEARING. 
An important hearing has been set 
for Tuesday, March 7, by the Muni- 
cipal Council when that body will 
hear the peition of a number of Brier 
Neck cottagers for permission to 
lease land at Good Harbor Beach up- 
on which to erect cottages. This peti- 
tion is the result of the recent action 
of the owners of Brier Neck in order- 
ing all cottages removed from that 
tract of land before the opening of 
the summer season. 
It is only natural to suppose and 
hope that there will be a strong and 
successful remonstrance against the 
leasing of land at Good Harbor Beach 
for the purposes prayed for. Good 
Harbor Beach is one of the finest 
beaches on Cape Ann. A row of 
cheap and unsightly cottages such as 
have been scattered over Brier Neck 
would effectually spoil the place and 
would have a tendency to depreciate 
the value of property at Bass Rocks 
and at Brier Neck, the owners of the 
latter place having in mind the devel- 
opment of that tract on a par with 
Bass Rocks and Eastern Point. 
The curve of shore between Bags 
Rocks and Brier Neck which forms 
what is known as Good Harbor Beach 
should be kept free from buildings of 
any kind whatever. It is a magnifi- 
cent stretch of sandy beach, wide and 
level and all parts of it should be re- 
served to the use and enjoyment of 
the public. 
FERNWOOD’S MISFORTUNE. 
The cutting down of the trees at 
Fernwood is much to be deplored as 
it has transformed a very pretty and 
secluded section into a somewhat 
barren, rocky and desolate tract. It 
seems rather a pity that the place 
could not have been preserved in all 
its pristine loveliness. The summer 
L, F, WILLIAMS, MANAGER 
cottages that nestled among the pines 
of that section were picturesque in 
their surroundings of trees and rocks. 
With only rocks and tree stumps 
much of the charm is gone and it will 
be many years before the place can 
regain its former loveliness. 
It is of course recognized that the 
woodland being private property, the 
owners had a perfect right to dispose 
of it and cut down the trees, but it is 
rather too bad that there was not pub- 
lic spirit enough among the owners of 
cottages there to have raised a fund 
and purchased the wood as it stood 
and thus preserve for all time the 
beautiful grove that made the entrance 
to Fernwood so attractive. 
IMPROVEMENTS AT WEST 
GLOUCESTER 
The Boston & Maine railroad are 
making some important and much 
needed improvements at the West 
Gloucester station which will be great- 
ly appreciated by the army of summer 
people who travel to and from Boston 
from that point during the warm 
weather. The station platform is be- 
ing repaired and widened and roofed 
over, as the other stations on the 
Gloucester branch are. 
Stationmaster Parsons, who for 
many years has’ kept the grounds 
around the depot in spick and span 
order, will this coming season go into 
gardening on a little larger scale and 
intends to have the West Gloucester 
station one of the most attractive 
on the entire system. 
The summer travel from West 
Gloucester has increased remarkably 
the past few years and indications 
point to a still greater increase this 
year. 
AUTO BURNED AT ANNIS- 
UAM. 
Roger W. Babson of Wellesley 
Hills and Boston, came here Monday 
afternoon in his automobile to make 
an inspection of his summer home at 
Annisquam. 
He left his machine and it caught 
fire. When he came from the house 
five minutes later it was reduced to 
scrap iron. Mr. Babson is the well 
known financial writer and_ statisti- 
cian. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. 
Nathaniel Babson of Angle street. 
