The Washington herald., 1907-05-29

The navy uniform as been insulted
again, and if some naval men were to
have their way In dealing with the mat
ter. the retaliation would be the prompt
withdrawal Of every war vessel from the
jamestown Exposition. in the vicinity OF
which the iHdignity occurred. The naval
exhibit is one OF the chief features Of the
ter-centennial, and the success Of the un-
dertaking depends largely upon its main
tcnance. so that 1t is not likely that such
drastic action will be taken. particularly
IN view OF the fact that the exposition
authorities have disclaimed all response
| bilty for the insult and are doing what
they can 20 correct It,
subject of Formal Complaint.
The incident complained Of, and which
has been the subject Of a formal com
plant which is now in the hands Of Sec
retary Metcalf. occurred about two weeks
ago. at Pine Beach Park. a resort outside
the exposition grounds and over which
| the management Of the jamestown show
| has no Jurisdiction. While the United
States ship Truxton was off Pine Beach
/ some Of the jackies obtaining shore leave.
went 20 the park and applied for admit %
/ tance to the dancing pavilion. Because
/ they were in bluejacket uniform they
were barred.
/ The matter was reported 20 Lieut.. J. v.
! Babcock. commanding the TruXton, vi o
| TO test the matter, directed petty officer,
| C. +. Lane. gunner's mate FIRST class, IN
| uniform, 20 apply al the pavilion for nd
| mittance. and II refused, 20 take the
matter 10 the manager Of the place. This
| Lane did. and was promptly turned
down He Was told according 70 Lieut.
| Babcock's report. that the men were not
Objectionable. but that the uniforms were
and that II the men wished t0 dance
! other clothes would be provided Tor
them. Upon request TO see the other
clothes" the petty officer was taken 70
/ a dressing room and shown a stock OF
white suits. similar to the regulation
service mess attendant uniform.
The managers attention was called 20
/ the fact that n IL was the uniform. which
were Objectionable that this ought also 10
apply 10 the bows and girls who were ad-
mitted wearing cOlthjng similar to the
blue Jacket uniform. Gunner Lane in-
formed the management that the matter
would De reported to the proper authofl-
ties. and received the reply that such
action would do no good, but would be a
| waste of time,
Soldiers Not barred.
The particular feature # the com
plaint made by the sailors is the fact that
/ their uniforms were barred. while sol
dIprs In uniform were admitted without
/ question The park is under the man
/ agement Of the Columbia Amusement
Company. W r. Crawl. president and
although seeking to share in the benefits
Of the Exposition has no connection
/ with IT,
! Lieut.. Babc0ck's report was transmitted
/ by Rear Admiral Evans 10 Secretary
/ Netc3lf. who Immediately took the matter
ND with Gov Swanson, OF Virginia, and
/ with H. St George Tucker president OF
I the Exposition Company.
/ In "a letter 10 Gov Swanson. after re-
/ citing the facts in the case. Secretary
/ MetC8lf says.
/ As the navy is doing everything In Us
| power to make the Exposition a success,
4 YOUR attention is invited 10 this instance
/ cf apparent discrimination against the
/ service uniform. and II is believed that
/ some action should be taken thereon. 10y
| withholding license or otherwise. II tho
/ practice were permitted the result will in
/ lure naval service by causing the uni
form Of the navy 70 be looked upon with
| disfavor
/ "Commerding the matter g. your earn
est attention. ! shall be glad 60 be ad-
/ visrd Of such action as You may deem II
. apprOpriate u take in the premises, u
! being understood. Of course. that what
ever is done I'm this connection. TO be OF
I value must he done without delay
Caarl-ary Nfptrq1f sent a COPY OF this
| letter 10 President Tucker with the re-
/ quest that he take such steps as might
be practicable To correct the discrimina'
tion.
Gov. swanson SympathiLes.
/ GOV. Swanson, in replying to Secretary
! Netcalf. has promised TO do whatever Is
. I'm his power To remedy the matter botl
[ under the law and i'm his personal ca
/ pacltv. President Tucker has assured the
! department that the Pine Beach Park Is
/ i'm no wav connected with the exposition
and that the company has no jurisdiction
| beyond the limits Of its own grounds. bu
/ that he will do whatever is possible &
| correct the discrimination.
Il is understood that both Gov. Swanson
and President Tucker are investigating
the matter. although It is not likely that
they will be able 10 do anything under
the law I'm the matter. The affair has
created great Indignation, not only among
the men of the crews aboard the ship;
IN Hampton Roads but among the officer;
| as we'll who have taken a strong position
in defense Of the men. IL is said also tha
! sailors of foreign navles have likewis,
been Disseminated against although n,
om~{aI reporf - this matter has hnpF