The Washington herald., 1922-11-03

IF man enlisted in the United States navy
desires to improve his spare time by attend
ing Washington high school in what re-
spect does he differ from any other student? We
take for granted, of course, that his periods of
active duty are so timed that class attendance
does not interfere with service requirements. Is
there anything to prevent an ambitious enlisted
stationed in the National Capital from at
tending either a kindergarten university dur
ing his rest periods, if he so desires? If he can
attend why he not take part in student activi-
tes?
These questions are brought to the fore
sharply by the of Vincent Plumpton, enlisted
man at the Naval Air Station and member of the
Central High School football squad Plumpton
it seems, is "a regularly enrolled student. Instead
of shooting dice flirting with girls sleeping in
his bunk during his time off duty ne attends
classes with the evident intention of becoming
eventually something better than enlisted man
in the navy. The principal of Central High School
requires that all students take part in physical
training but allows a certain 1eeway in the choice
of athletic activities. Plumpton chose football
and became conspicuous player in District inter
scholastic games
Now protests have been filed against him.
Rival teams seek to bar him from the Central
lineup. They give a reason for their demands
that he is an enlisted man.. Just why this fact
should act his prejudice we fail to understand.
So do Central High School authorities They
propose to take the matter up with Mr.. Roose-
welt, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and get
definite ruling. Upon this ruling will depend very
largely our opinion of the opportunities allowed
sailors in the regular service. Are they consid-
cred human beings as-well, just enlisted
If conductor employed by the Capital Trac-
ton Company should attend Central High School
and play football nobody would think OF protest
ing.
Ii blacksmith. bricklayer. a sweeper
or a shoe store clerk should attend Central High
School and play football nobody would think Of
protesting.
Why. then. should anybody think OF protest
ing against sailor employed by the United States
government? 1t looks us like outcrooDng Of
the old prejudice against the enlisted
Would the naval authorities have any obec-
tion to an enlisted stationed the Naval
Air Station receiving Phi. D. degree from George
Washington, Georgetown, Catholic Univer-
sity or American University? 1t is entirely pos
sible that there is some man down there entirely
untitled for a naval commission but emnenty
fitted, by virtue of his learning, for such
academic honor. They certainly would not object
to an admiral getting such degree. But there
enlisted men in the United States navy who
in their lines, smarter men than admiras.
The Plumpton presents knotty problem
for Mr.. Roosevelt to solve. Let hope that his
solution reflects tolerance, square dealing and
Americanism He has a chance to put at rest,
for the time being at least, the impression spread
about by fellows with civilian prejudces who
served in the navy during the late to the ef
feet that anyone below the rank of ensign is not
considered as man but as one of the lower
animals.