Gallant Etiquette: Army vs Navy

“Dueling is distinctly frowned upon by the general staff of the United States army, of which General Bell is chief. A mere bloodless question of preсеdence at the breakfast table in the dining car stirred the excitement between the general and the naval officer. The clarion porter shouted his way through the Pullmans with the happy announcing, ‘First call, for breakfast.’”– 1907 Pullman Dining Car Interior Postcard

ARMY AND NAVY IN SHARP CLASH OVER GALLANTRY

• Army Officer Offers Satisfaction Either Officially or in Unofficial Manner
• Enlivening Episode Occurs on Southbound Train From Portland Yesterday
• Major General J. Franklin Bell, Chief of Staff, Gives Naval Officers Stinging Rebuke
• Lesson in Etiquette as to Precedence at Breakfast in Pullman Diner

ARMY vs. Navy, clashing over gallantry. Major General J. Franklin Bell, chief of staff, U. S. A., rebuking a reputed naval officer for rushing out of turn into a Pullman diner was the elevating lesson in comparative chivalry expounded for the edification of passengers on Southern Pacific train No. 13, southbound from Portland, yesterday morning between Davis and Benicia. The honors went to the fighting man ashore, while the fighting man afloat lowered his lance in token of submission to the teachings that women should first be given places in the diner,

General Bell's pupil in etiquette came to this city and registered at the Hotel Argonaut as "W., C. Read, city." On the train he told General Bell that he was a naval officer, but the naval register contains no such name as "W. C. Read." Perhaps the knight is a raw niddy, graduated from the naval academy since the naval register was published. Read's companion in the episode was E. R. McBlair of Washington, D. C.

Fighting Talk, This

The fact is that when Read was reрrimanded by the general of the army he declared himself to be a naval officer, and General Bell then said, "If you take offense at my action, you know how to get satisfaction from me, officially or unofficially."

The "unofficially", is a pregnant phrase, coming from one fighting man to another. What it might have implied can not be surmised without a shudder. Dueling is distinctly frowned upon by the general staff of the United States army, of which General Bell is chief. A mere bloodless question of preсеdence at the breakfast table in the dining car stirred the excitement between the general and the naval officer. The clarion porter shouted his way through the Pullmans with the happy announcing, "First call, for breakfast."

Out of Their Turn

There was a string of passengers in the passageway leading into the diner. Read and McBlair hustled through, out of order. They paved their way with the announcement that they were not hurrying forward to secure choice seats at the first table they were going into the tourist car to meet two women. So they were graciously permitted to pass on. But when General Bell and the other loiterers in the passageway finally reached the tables they found Read and McBlair seated in comfort.

The gallant General Bell could not stand for the precipitation of the young men. He told them that the two seats they occupied belonged by right to two young women who had long been waiting their turn in line. The young men were conscience smitten. General Bell regarded them with acute displeasure.

Conductor Butts In

Then the Pullman conductor heaved to in the affray between the army and navy. "I'm running this car," he insisted to General Bell, "and I'll attend to these things."

"These two American hogs were trying to grab seats that did not belong to them, and I intend to see that they are not able to do it," replied. General Bell.

"If you interfere any more with the running of this car I will stop the train and put you off," said the conductor.

"That would be very satisfactory to me," said the chief of staff. "I am General Bell, chief of staff of the United States army, and it would please me very much to be put off this train."

The conductor began to apologize. but General Bell stopped him, declaring that he should not be treated with any, more courtesy because he was an officer of the army than if he were a civilian passenger.

No Apology Coming

Read was not calmed by the disclosure of his rebuker's identity. He went to the general. "I heard you make some remark about American hogs," he said. "That does not sound like General Bell. But I'll accept your explanation."

"I want you to understand I am not apologizing." declared General Bell. "I don't consider that I have any apology to make.

McBlair was seen at the St. Francis hotel last evening. "The incident," he said, "was due to a mistake. We went into a forward car to see some ladies. When we returned the head waiter seated us and thoughtlessly we took our places. We did not mean to be seated out of our turn." – San Francisco Call, 1909

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