Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-29

garded as SupJect ior ooo
The letter sent to the Secretary of War
s as follows:
The Honorable Jacob NJ. Dickinson.
Secretary of War. Washington. II. Z.
nv dear Sir: On Saturday last Maj.
Gen Frederick D. Grant OF the Unlteo
States Army, and in the uniform OF the
United States Army. marched aheao OF
prohibition parade In chicago. Inc aooHe
incident has caused considerable COM
ment and IL is rumored that the same
means that the federal government ana
the army in general have taken sloes
with the prohibition movement.
.'tI is also stated that the prohlotlon
organizations contemplate bringing about
an election In this city next spring TO
determine the popular will on TINS cues
ton. Our citizens in the main a.tacn
themselves to one or the other slde ol
his great question. If such an election Is
1eId il should express the free and uncon-
rolled action of the public.
Public officers are servants or the peo-
pie and should not be allowed to use the
advantages of their office to accomplish
partisan ends.
Il do not dispute the right of Gen.
Grant to take part in this movement as
private citizen, but believe he has no rlght
o head a parade In full UNIFORM OF u
participate as federal ohcer
Asks for Ruling.
will you kindly advise me whether the
department. has ruled on such conduct and
whether the same can be said to have re-
.eived official sanction?
Il have treated this communication as
IN open letter and should like to regard
,our answer as such. Awaiting your re-
ply, / am, sir.
Yours very respectfully,
wv r. MICHAELIS.
The letter was not written as an ohcer
" the United Societies." Mr. Michaelis is
quoted in Chicago as saying Il wrote as
/ private citizen.
Several letters taking contrary stand
20 that of Mr.. Michaelis also have been
sent to the Secretary of War. These are
rom men who approve or the acton Oh
Gen. Grant and defend his appearance In
he parade. They claim that the parade
was not prohibition parade. but was
"a movement for great civic righteousness
and the enforcement of law and order In
Chicago.
Strong Temperance Advocate.
Cen Grant is known throughout the
army as a strong advocate Of the cause
IF temperance and has frequently ex-
pressed his views on the subject in Of
icial reports to the War Department.
At the same time he is on record as
favoring the re-establfshment Of the
army canteen and allowing the sale to
soldiers of light wines and beer, as be-
ng decidedly preferable to the present
system. 1t is recalled that Gen. Grant
invariably wears his uniform on public
occasions in which he is invited to par
icipate Usually his conduct IN such
matters has met with general approval.
That was conSpicuously the case when
he wore the full uniform of his rank
1T various recent reunions of Confed-
crate veterans in Tennessee and other
southern states.
All his associates in the army recog-
tic rtuIt to do
Judgment dictated in such cases, and so
ar as known he has never been sub
ected to criticism In the matter until the
present occasion.
1t is admitted that while his participa-
ion in the Chicago parade was clearly
within his rights as citizen, the fact
hat he wore the uniform of the United
States Army in no wise committed the
government or its representatives to the
movement one way or the other.
A Common Practice.
According to recognized authority
1t the War Department, officers of the
Army, Navy and Marine Corps invariably
wear their uniforms on all occasions of
ceremony. both public and private, and
is usually left for the officer himself
% determine the prophecies in the mat
:er. For instance. said an officer this
morning. army and naval officers attend
ng banquets in New York this week in
fariably wear their uniforms, and 1t is
, frequent occurrence for officers to wear
heir uniforms at weddings and other
functions of a private character
In other words, the wearing OF uniform
on other than purely military occasions
s simply a matter of individual taste,
with the presidents all in favor Of wear
1ng the uniform on occasions of cere-
nony.
Gen. Grant had a short interview with
Secretary Dickinson during the day. and
look occasion to explain his position in
-egard to the parade incident, which ex
plantation. it is unofficialy stated. was
entirely satisfactory to the head of the
military establishment. At any rate, ii
s believed that the incident will be al
owed to drop out of sight so far as the
War Department is concerned. and that
will not be made the subject Of official
correspondence with Gen. Grant.