New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-21
THE MEN IN UNIFORM
Sailors Are the Country's Best and Deserve
Public's Respect

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Recently two enlisted men OF 'ho
United States Navy approached cafe ir
Brooklyn and attempted to enter There WIS
cabaret performance going on within 1t
the time. but the attendant Mt the door IN
formed the men that sailors in uniform were
not admitted. The men thereupon withdrew.
but subsequently, entered by another door
and seated themselves AZ a table. Thcreupon
the proprietor OF the cafe approached and M
formed them that mon in sailor uniform
would not be served with drink or food. This
he did in n loud. contomptuous fashion. quite
naturally attracting the attention Of the
patrons Of tho cabaret. and. also quite nat
urslly. much to the embarrassment Of the
enlisted men. Verbal protest being of no
avail. there remained nothing TO do hut to
leave which the men did.
There was no question as 70 tho sobricty
OF behavior Of these men. They arc both
petty officers and Of excellent character.
At about the same time another enlisted
man purchased a box scat ticket for per
Torrance at vaudeville and motion picture
theatre, also in Brooklyn. However, upoa
endesvoring TO occupy his seat he was in
formed by the usher that sailormen in uni
form we're not admitted TO boxes. After
much discussion, in which the manager o.
the theatre took a prominent part. com
promise effected the man being offered
place in the uppermost tier of boxes.
Section 5l7 of the Penal Law OF the State
Of New York reads as follows:
"No nICCpIMTNAT AGAINST
UNITED STATES UNIFORM
"A person who excludes from the equal en-
ioyment Of any accommodation, facility or
privilege furnished BY innkeepers or common
carriers or by owners managers or lessces
Of theatres or other places of amusement or
resort any person lawfully wearing the uni
form of tho army, navy, marine corps or
revenue cutter service OF the United States
because of that uniform is guilty of mis-
demeanor."
On the strength Of this section. and at tn.
instance Of tho naval authorities. the District
Attorney for Kings County is prosecuting the
alleged offenders. The case is pending in the
courts. As yet no decision has been reached.
But whether the proprietor of the cafe or the
manager or the theatre is found guilty. OF
the cases are dismissed is entirely inmate
rial TO the more important issues involved.
For the fac, remains that they are not wholly
&c blame. 1t is the public that is primarily
responsible for such occurrences because
a large proportion OF il still chooses TO re-
gard the uniform OF the army and navy Of
the United States as an emblem Of social in
fcrioritv and the wearers thereof deserving
Of contumely.
Yet this condition obtains in no other part
OF the world, not even in the most absolute
of monarchies or caste-ridden OF nations.
This is so chiefly for the reason that univer-
sal military service abroad has rid the public
mind Of all foolish notions and prejudices re-
garding soldiers and sailors. But America
depends entirely upon voluntary service 20
fl the ranks Of its army and TO man its
battleshps. Thus there is woful lack Of
knowledge regarding the real conditions Of
life in our army and navy, which, added TO
other causes, has resulted in a most unfair
and undesirable attitude on the part Of tn"
public toward its military and naval class.
We do not hesitate to rise and stand with
barred heads whenever our national anthem
is played Remember. then, that these men
of the navy have pledged their lives, if need
be- to the perpetuation of the ideals which
that anthem avows.
Honor and respect the uniform Of tho
United States Navy,
ALEXANDER BLUME.
Brooklyn. Dec. Is, 1916