Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-14
i'll Prohibits Discrimination
by Theaters.
iAKES 1T MISDEMEAN0R
Introduced by Senator Chamberlain,
It Provides Punishment.
lew HOUSE MEASURE LIKELY
Action by Navy Department De-
Will Not Oppose Legislation.


Provoked by the recent refusal of P. B.
base of Chase's Theater 70 admit men,
ars OF the Marine Corps in uniform,
enator Chamberlain of Oregon today in
-oduced bill prohibiting discrim-
tat.on against persons wearing the uni
,rm of the United States
Such discrimination would be made
tisdemeanor. punishable by fine and i'm
risonment, and the bill would apply not
My to the District Of Columbia. but to
II the territories of the United States.
Assistant Secretary Winthrop of the
iavy Department said today that final
ction by the Navy Department in the
natter of discrimination against uni
,rmed soldiers. sailors and marines by
he management of Chase's Theater
ad been deferred for the present. in
lew of the fact that the question in
olved is now under consideration by
congress. He made it perfectly clear,
owever. that the naval authorities are
thoroughly in earnest in their determi-
alton to compel respect for the uni
orm of the United States and will Wig
rously support the wearers in ALI
asses where they are Disseminated
gainst on that account
War Department Cooperation.
Hearty cooperation in the matter
ill he given by the authorities of the
Var Department. With a view to har-
1onous action in such cases, Capt.
russell. the judge advocate general of
he navy, has been in conference with
ien- Davis, the judge advocate gen.
raj of the army. with regard to the
est method of securing full civil rights
or soldiers, sailors and marines,
neither in uniform or civilian dress.
As result of their consideration OF
he various legal questions involved,
i'll was drafted, making discrimination
gainst the uniform of a soldier, sailor
marine a misdemeanor
1t was arranged that the administra-
lon bill should be introduced into both
touses of Congress at once and acted
with as little delay as possible 1t
; understood that the bill introduced
I the Senate by Senator Chamberlain
Oregon is satisfactory to the officials
T the War and Navy departments, and
hat a similar bill will be introduced in
he House either this afternoon or to-
iorroV. According to one official, the
i'll previously introduced by Represent
tive Hobson does not entirely meet the
Jews of the department officials. 1t is
L the right direction. but does not, it
; said, go far enough.
Question of Civil Suits.
1t is because of the expectation and
ope of the naval officials that Con-
.ress will act promptly in this matter
hat Assistant Secretary Winthrop has
suspended action in the matter of the
pecific charges of discrimination on
he part of the management of Chase's
heater against sailors and marines
.ithin the last few days. There Is
oubt as to whether criminal proceed
ngs against the management could be
uccessfully prosecuted under existing
avs. or whether the men would be
dstif aed in instituting civil suits.
wait positive legislation is the fact
nat while the transfer proceedings are
veil under way, the title to the prop
rty now occupied by, Chase's Theater
the government is not in
omplete control of the property
1t is intimated that such transfer is a
natter of only a short time, however,
nd that in the event of the failure of
he government would still be in a posi-
ion to make it exceedingly unpleasant
or the management of the theateF, even
o the extent of closing it.
Statement of Secretary Meyer.
The Secretary of the Navy said this
.fternoon he would ask Congress to pass
law which would prevent discrimina-
ion against enlisted men in uniform by
of places of amusement. This
ction was taken. he said, on account of
he refusal by the management of
rhase's Theater to permit marines in
inform to occupy reserved seats, which
hey had purchased. Mr.. Meyer de-
Jared his determination to do everything
possible to protect the uniform of the
service of the United States from insult.
Mr.. Chase said today regarding his at
itude toward proposed legislation by Con-
.resS tending to the regulation of dress
II theaters. that he would not oppose the
Measure, as il would relieve the manage
nent of the leading playhouses in Wash
ngton of any further responsibility in
hat regard
He also stated that he had always been
n earnest advocate of clean and whole
ONE amusements and the closing of all
heaters on Sunday. two measures in
which the large majority of representa-
i've citizens in Washington are more
argely interested than in the question OF
iresS.
Denounces Matinee Dancers.
He opposes the exhibitions given by the
fashionable o'clock matinee dancers (D
wearing costumes which a two-cent post
'ge stamp would carry in the United
states mail. and he opposes the wide
,pen-everything-goes'' Sunday as regards
places and expresses the hope
hat Congress. while legislating upon the
;ubject of theaters. Will consider the
question OF morals as we'll as dress.
1I05 Connecticut avenue, Washington.
d. c., March Il. 1910.
Editor
Dear Sir: i have read with great in
crest the articles and letters published in
our paper regarding the refusal of the
of Chase's Theater to per-
nit our marines to attend a vaudeville
because they were Con-
,picuously dressed" i'm uniform.
MIR. Chase is right-the United States
spicuous on every bloody battlefield since
re
Those marines were neither drunk nor
lisorderly, so this action was an insult,
not only 10 the uniform of our country
out to the flag and to the nation.
Quotes Kipling.
The master-hand of Kipling has stated
he case more clearly than I. in Tommy :
: Il went into a theater as sober as could be:
They give a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none
for me:
They sent me 10 the gallery or round the music
ais,
Blu, when ii comessto fghtin'. Lord! they'll shove