Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-03-19
WILL
AID ARMY men TO
WEAR CTS. TOGS


The Honolulu Merchants Associa-I
ton intends taking steps toward se-l
curing the passage Of regulation al
lowing officers and enlisted men in
the army in Hawaii TO wear civilian
clothing while On leave or pass in
the city or In places outside their
respective garrisons Forceful argn-I
ments along this line, fayoring the.
men in the service, were set forth at
the meeting OF the directors OF the
association yesterday afternoon. re-
sulting in Ed Towse and 7. NJ. Church
being appointed committee TO in,
terview the commander of the Ha-
waiian department, various army Of
ficers, and, perhaps, officials in.
Washington, to ascertain the prob
ability OF securing such regulation
As pointed out by Mr.. Church, ac-
ton in this matter was taken year
ago, at which time the army officers
in Hawaii gave their cooperation
When communicated with, the sec
tary OF war said that there was a reg
ulation prohibiting officers and men
en- Oahu from wearing civilian clothes,
ard that nothing could be done. It
is the idea of the Merchants Assoc
citation TO give impetus to the agi-
tation commenced a year ago.
why should this matter come up.
I'm Hawaii" asked ]. T. Warren:
HAS such agitation been furthered
in other parts of the United States.
If the soldiers in other parts of the
United States have to wear their uni
forms when on leave, Why should
those In Hawaii be exempt?
President Harrington pointed out
that, il the association desired to do
something, it should first ascertain
the views of the army officers. He
said that many officers had spoken to
him on the subject, saying that uni
form practically makes soldier a
marked man. In other words, when
a soldier is on leave, he does not like
to be in brass buttons.
Possibly, by keeping constantly at
it, we may be able to secure some
change in the regulation covering the
wearing of the uniform he con-
cluded.
Ed Towse moved that the Mer-
chants Association address COM
munieation to the commander of the
Hawaiian Department, saying that
Honolulu desires, that both officers
and men on leave of absence be per-
mitted 10 wear civilian clothing I'M
der such regulations as the war de-
paTtment might see fit to make.
President Harrington appointed Mr..
Towse and Mr.. Church committee
tc take this matter up and report its
progress at the next meeting of the
directors.
Asked this morning whether he ia
yored allowing the wearing of civilian
clothes by officers and enlisted men,
Major general Carter, department COM
mander. was non-committaL
S. = am not familiar with the facts IN
regard tel this matter" said he, "and
prefer not to give any opinion until
have looked into them. :
A war department order issued
about two and a half years ago, re-
.quires officers and men in Hawaii to
wear the uniform at all times. Even
officers taking a months leave in the
islands are forbidden to wear civilian
dress. This regulation has been in
effect in the Philippines for many
years, the, original reason for it being
the belief that constant sight of the
uniform would have good effect on
the native population, serving as a
constant reminder that Uncle Sans
men were on the job. This reason
of course does not apply in Hawaii,
and several efforts have been made
to have the order rescinded. About
six months ago, when General Fun
ston divided the enlisted men into.
classes A, b and G, with certain privi-
leges to each, he asked the war de-
partment for authority to allow the
class A men to wear civilian clothes
on pass. This was denied, the rea-
son being, given that it would be a
slur on the uniform to hold up the
privilege of discarding it as a reward
of merit
AS the war department has SO re-
Gently announced its policy in this
matter, army officers here believe that
any move to have the ruling reversed
4 4 4. A. ~ s