OLDFIELD IS FINED FOR SUNDAY RACING

Star Driver Is Charged With Violating Sabbath and Pleads Guilty

PAYS $5 AND COURT COSTS

Seven Others Are Arrested in an Attempt to Enforce Blue Law

Barney Oldfield, speed king, and seven other persons, including Eddie O'Donnell, another well known speed merchant, were put to a slight inconvenience yesterday as a result of the first attempt in years at enforcement of the so called Iowa blue law in Polk county.

Oldfield was arrested at the Des Moines Speedway yesterday afternoon by Deputy Sheriff John Bonham at the close of his race. An hour later he appeared before Justice of the Peace John Conroy in Des Moines to answer a charge of breaking the Sabbath, preferred by Sheriff John Griffith.

The speed king came to court in a Ford automobile driven by E.W. Besaw, branch manager of a tire and rubber concern.

Inquires Charge.

"What's the charge?" queried Oldfield as he sallied into the justice court, located on the second floor of the Commercial building at Sixth avenue and Mulberry street.

"Breaking the Sabbath." replied Justice Conroy.

"Fine! I guess I won't have to go to jail that." Oldfield commented.

He discarded his hat, took a survey of the judge's chambers and walked up to the bar. He was chewing a half smoked cigar.

Justice Conroy read the charge and put the customary interrogatory to Oldfield: "Guilty or not guilty?"

Pleads Guilty.

"Guilty!" came a quick answer.

The justice reached for his pen. As he scribbled on the docket he announced that the fine would be $5 and costs.

"What's the costs?" Oldfield asked as he began to search through his pockets for his purse.

He was informed that the fine and costs aggregated $7.85

"I think I've just enough to foot the bill." Oldfield said as he pulled a $10 bill from his roll. He was handed the change and immediately left in the Ford that he came in.

Oldfield said after he had paid his fine that it was the first time he had been arrested for participating in an automobile race on Sunday.

"I did not reach here until 11:20 today." he said. "I did not know I was violating a law, or I would not have entered the contest."

Others to Appear Today.

Eddie O'Donnell and De Lloyd Thompson, aerialist, who also were served with warrants yesterday, are expected to appear in court this morning.

Harry Fleckenstein, Hal Ward, George Meyers and Henry Lewis, motorcyclists, paid fines of $2 each and costs, aggregating $4.85 each.

George Lansing, superintendent of concessions, also was notified to appear in court.

Sheriff's Action Requested.

The arrest of the persons who participated in the speedway races resulted from efforts put forth by members of the Lord's Day alliance. Resolutions passed by this organization were given to Sheriff Griffin several days ago with with a request that he stop the races scheduled for yesterday.

"The law prohibits automobile racing on Sunday," said Sheriff Griffin. "I feel it is my duty to see that it is enforced. I do not intend to discriminate. Any person found violating the Sabbath law in that part of Polk county located outside of Des Moines will be arrested."

Oldfield is Enjoined.

In an effort to compel Barney Oldfield to enter his name and be one of the starters and contestants in the 300 mile automobile race to be run on the Des Moines Speedway at Valley Junction next Saturday, the Prince Speedway company late Saturday nite obtained a temporary injunction from District Judge DeGraff restraining Oldfield from racing on any other speedway on that date or removing his cars from Polk county.

This action was taken by the Prince Speedway company after Henry R. Gering, one of the officers, received a report that Oldfield was preparing to leave today for Butler, Pa., and to go afterward to Cleveland to race Saturday.

Judge DeGraff has set the case for hearing on Wednesday. The fact that a temporary writ had been obtained did not become known until yesterday afternoon when Deputy Sheriff John Bonham served it on Oldfield at the close of the races.

Mr. Gering gave out a statement that the Prince Speedway company had advertised Oldfield would participate in the races next Saturday and that he desired to do all within his power to see that he did.

HOME

NEXT