The Washington times., 1913-07-23
MRS. N'LENNAN LAUDS
COLUMBUS SOLDIERS
Sends Communications of So
ciety to Men for Retraining
From InduIging in BTaWIs.

Unstinted praise was given today by
Mrs. Russell NJ. MacLennan, president
OF the Society for the Protection OF the
Dignity and Honor of the Uniform of
the United States, to the soldiers of
the Columbus (Ohio) barracks, who
showed such admirable discipline in re-
fusing to participate in general fight
with the police and Industrial Workers
of the World yesterday in Columbus.
Martin Phelan, an Industrial Worker
agitator, was addressing a crowd on
the street berating the United States
army and navy. He qestioned the man
hood of those who enlist Among his
listeners were twenty enlisted men.
One soldier was hoisted on the shouI-
ders Of his companions and warmly de-
tended the army. An automobile load
Of police arrived upon the scene at this
time. and an attempt to drive the SOL
diers away was made The soldiers
were about to take matters in their own
hands when older enlisted men arrived
and called upon them Ito remember
your uniforms and don't fight" The
soldiers dispersed, and repetition OF the
disgraceful scenes enacted in Seattle
last week was averted.
Commends Men.
In a letter sent today to Col. George
A. Dodd, commandant of the barracks
at Columbus, Mrs. MacLennan, as presi-
cent of the Society for the Projection
of the Dignity and Honor of the Uni
form of the United States said:
II have the honor to request that you
convey my admiration and praise to the
soldiers of your command who so nobly
responded to the admonition, 'Remem-
Der your uniforms and do not fight I,
of course, refer TO the incident of yes
terday, July 2, 1913, when twenty of
your men. needing the advice of older
enlisted men, probably noncommission-
ed officers, after defending the man :
hood of the enlisted men against the
malicious attacks of Industrial Workers
Of the World agitators, dispersed in
stead of participating in free-for-aH
street fight with the agitators, their
followers, and the police. ~
From the press reports, il seems
that the police urjustly attempted to
drive the soldiers away, instead OF
breaking up the street assemblage gen.
orally. which had reached the stage OF
disturbing the peace.
'T know. as does every American
citizen. the willingness and the fear
lessness with which. every American
soldier and sailor will fight in time of
war or Of peace, in just cause But |
in this instance. il rebounds to the |
mems credit that they refrained from |
a riotous street melee that would have /
brought. instead Of honor. disgrace, |
upon the proud uniforms they wore.
Are Regrettable.
The disgraceful scenes enacted IN /
Seattle, Wash, last week, are regret |
table. although seemingly the soldiers |
and sailors were given provocation |
would like here TO say that from care ,
full reading of the press stories. it is |
my opinion that the incentive for the |
Seattle riots was not to be found in
the patriotic utterances OF Mr.. Josephus |
Daniels, Secretary of the Navy, but to
the acts of the Industrial Workers.
IF you would be so kind as to sur-
nish me with the names of the men
who responded SO nobly to discipline /
yesterday, through the knowledge Of :he
dignity and honor of the uniform they
wore, will send them certificates Of
membership in the above society. There
are no dues connected with the society,
nor are donations solicited or accepted.
1t may be OF interest TO the officers
and men of your command to know
that since the enactment into law Of
the Hobson bill, making IL a misde-
meanor to refuse admittance TO places
Of public entertainment of wearers OF
the uniform OF the United States be-
cause Of that uniform, thirteen States
have adopted similar laws. 1t is my
4
until every State in the Union has such
law on Its statute books.
Federal Law.
Il am also working TO the end that
. Federal law of this kind will be
enacted by Congress, making possible
the prosecution in Federal courts of
such Determinations, and Of persons
wrongfully wearing the uniform or
parts Of It
MY blood boiled with patriotic in
dignation upon witnessing in 1910 the
expulsion Of two sailors and two mar
ines from a local theater because of
the uniforms they wore. Ny inquiry
at the Navy Department disclosed that
the department was powerless to do
anything in retaliation I then ap-
pealed TO Senator George z. Cham
berlain of Oregon and Congressman
Richmond Pearson Hobson of Ala
bama.
Both introduced bills making such
determinations misdemeanor in the
District Of Columbia, the Territories
and the insular possessions. The Hob
Since then, through my efforts, the
then Territorial legal authorities, upon
instruction from President Taft,
through the Department of Justice.
brought the first suit under the law
The decision was in the Governments
favor, and the defendants were heav-
ily fined.
Thanking you, / am.
Very respectfully,
~C3rA) CATHERINE NJ. MacLENNAN, !
president"