The Washington times., 1914-11-11
Woman Defender
Of u. S. Uniforms
Mrs. Russell MacL Lennan, Author
of Measures to Punish The
ater Owners Who Bar Sol
diers, Still Working.

The refusal Of New York theater
managers to admit soldiers and
sailors in uniform, recalls the fact
that a Washington won,dn is re-
sponsible for all existing legisla-
tion which makes such an ofense
a misdemednor.
She is Mrs. Russell MacLennan,
author of two measures nom pend
ing before the committees Of Con-
gress. These bills if enacted wiH
become statutes, operative in epery
State, under which the members of
the United States army and nary
wiH be protected from discrimina-
tion.
She expresses the hope that the
Secretary Of the Mary will, at this
time, do all in his power to obtain
the passage Of these bills at the
next session Of Congress.
BY KENDRICK SCOFIELD
Standing in the crowded lobby Of .
Washington theater. woman wit
messed the election Of United States
Jackie and his companion, q marine.
Tho men were refused admission to the
playhouse because they were in uni
form.
The next day that woman called upon
Beekman Winthrop, then acting Secre-
tary Of the Navy. and protested against
the action Of the theater management.
Mr.. Winthrop replied that he was pow
er1eGs to prevent such occurrences in
the absence Of any special legislation
against the Uniform Of the United
States navy.
Worked For Four Years.
Tho woman who called on Secretary
Winthrop on behalf Of the soldiers and
sailors Of tho United States was Mrs.
Russell Malcolm MacLennan, wife of
Lieutenant MacLennan, OF the Sfgnal
Corps. D. C. N. g.. and In the four
years which have passed since then she
has succeeded in causing tho enactment
for each discrimination asainst the
uniform Of the United States army or
navy in the District of Columbia and
all of the Territories, as well az the
enactment by thirteen States Of similar
legislation.
Mrs. MacLennan is president of an
organization which she founded shortly
after the passage Of the bill which ap-
plies to the District Of Columbia and to
the Territories. and which IL known as
THE Society for the Protection Of the
Dignity and Honor Of the Uniform Of
the United States"
Some Honorary Members.
Among the honorary members Of the
society are found such names as Presi-
dent Wilson. former Presidents TAFT
and Roosevelt. the Secretary Of the
Navy, Josephus Daniels; the Secretary
Of War, Lindley NJ. Garrison: Maj.
Gen Leonard Wood, U. 8. A., Admiral
George Dewey. Brig. Gen. Anson Mills.
retired. Brig. Gen. r. K. Evans. for
mer Assistant Secretary Of the Navy
Beekman Winthrop. former Secretary
Of War Henry L. Stimson, Senator
George E. Chamberlain. Senator Miles
Poindexter. Congressman Richmond
Pearson Hobson, and william Sulzer,
former governor Of New York.
Mrs MacLennan has made the, night
for legislation to protect tho wearers
Of United States uniforms from dis
elimination her lifework, beginning 1t
the day after Beekman Winthrop COM
planned that there existed no statute
under which such insults to the uniform
could be prosecuted.
The first measure for which she OBJ
tanned consideration Is what Is now
known as tho Hobson bill. drafted by
her, and the one which applies to the
District Of Columbia and the Terri
tories. with that bill upon the statute
books. she set herself to the almost i'm
possible task of obtaining the passage