The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-05-29
NAVY UNIFORM BARRED OUT
BLUEJACKETS INSULTED BY DIS
ELIMINATION At JAMESTOWN.

| bblIOEb NUl .AuuilttCu " 1ouCihb ~
Outside Exposition Grounds, Though
Soldiers IN Uniform were - Metcalf
Gets Gov. eWansOn's Promise 70 Act.
WASHINGTON. May 2s.-The navy mi
form has been insulted again, and II some
naval men were to have their way the re-
t~aliation would be the prompt withdrawal
Of every war vessel from the jamestown
exposition. The naval exhibit Is one OF the
chief features Of the tercentennial. so
that II is not likely that such drastic action
will be taken. particularly In view Of the
fact that the exposition authorities have
disclalmed all responsibility for the insult
and are doing what they can to correct 1t.
The incident complained Of, which has
been the subject Of a formal complaint to
Secretary Metcalf. occurred about two
weeks ago at Pine Beach Park. q resort
outside the exposition grounds over which
the management Of tho jamestown show
has no jurisdiction. While the United States
steamship Truxtun was of Pine Beach
some OF the sailors went to the park and
applied for adnittance to the dancing
pavilion. but because they were in blue
jacket uniform they were kept out.
The matter was reported to Lieut.. j. v.
Babcock. commanding the Truxtun, who,
to test the matter. directed a petty ofacer.
o. z. Lane. g~unner's mate, first class, in
uniform. to apply at the pavilion for adj
mittanoe, and II it wa refused to take the
matter to the manager Of the place. This
the man did and he was promptly turned
down.
He was told, according to Lieut.. Bah
cocks report, that the men were not OBJ
jectionable, but the uniforms we're. and
that II the men wished to dane other
clothes" would be provided for them.
Upon request TO see the 'other clothes"
the petty officer was taken 70 a dressing
room and a stock Of white suits. similar to
the regulation service mess attendant uni
form, was shown to him. The managers
attention was called to the fact that II IL
was the uniforms which were Objectionable
this ought to- apply also to the boys and
girls who were admitted wearing clothing
similar TO the bluejacket uniform. Gunner
Lane informed the management that the
matter would be reported to the proper
authorities and received the reply that such
action would do no good, but would be a
waste OF time.
The particular feature Of the complaint
made by the sailors lie the fact that their
uniforms we're barred While soldiers in
uniform were admitted without question.
| Tha park is under the management Of the
| Columbia Amusement Company, W. r.
Crawl president, INT although seeking to
| share In the benefits OF the exposition has
no connection with IL. Lieut.. Babcock's
! report was transmitted by Rear Admiral
Evans to Secretary Metcalf, who immedi-
ately took the matter up with Gov. Swan
son Of Virginia and with II. St. George
Tucker, president Of the exposition COM
pany.
In a letter TO Gov. Swanson Secretary
Metcalf says:
As the navy lie doing everything in its
power to make the exposition a success
your attention lie invited 10 this instance OF
apparent discrimination against the service
uniform and 1t is believes that some action
should be taken thereon, by withholding
licenses or otherwise. II the practice were
permitted the result will, the Department
feels assured, prove highly preiudioiai to
the naval service by causing the uniform
Of the ANY TO be looked upon with disfavor.
Commencing the matter to your earnest
attention | shall be glad to be advised Of
such action as you may deem il appropriate
to take in the premises. il being understood.
OF course. that whatev0f 10 done in this
connection. to be Of value. must be done
without delay
Secretary Metcalf sent a copy OF this
letter to President Tucker with the request
that he take such steps as might be practical
Bile TO correct the discrimination.
Gov. Swanson. replying to Secretary
Metcalf, has promised to do whatever is in
his power 10 remedy the matter, both under
the lawa and in his personal capacity. Presi-
dent Tucker has assured the Department
that Pine Beach Park 10 in no way connected
with the exposition and that the company
has no jurisdiction beyond the limits OF its
OWN grounds, but that he will do whatever |
10 possible to stop the discrimination
II is understood that both Gov. Swanson !
and President Tucker are investigating |
the matter, although it is not likely they
will be able TO do anything under the law
in the matter. The affair has created
great indignation not only among the men
Of the crews aboard the ships in Hampton
Roads but among the officers as we'll, who
have taken a strong stand in defence Of the
men
II 10 said also that sailors Of foreign
navies have likewise been Disseminated
against, although no oficisl report OF this
matter has been made TO the Department.
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TRANSPORTATION Seer ETARY.