The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-07-21
POLICEM EMS BLACK MATS.
What President smith and the Police Officers
say abouI Iheir QnaIiIics.

Inc ncaVy, black, round, SUN mats worn
by the New YORK policemen have attracted
much attention, and many have wondered
that the Commissioners should have selected
them. Yesterday reporter Of lHE sun visited
Gen. Smith, the President OF the 30 rd. and
a-ked him whose IDEA 1t was that decided the
cuoicc, and whether any physician mad been
cons lied concerning their comfort aud nealth-
1uluCs-.
Il have had a great deal OF experience with
heads and hats said Gen. smith. " aud II II
not necessary for me to consult physician re-
Gardtng either. In INV opinion, the hat worn hv
the pniicemen Is quite the thiug. It's fashioned
after the model Of hat wnich brought from
Eurgpe.'
Do not black hat attract heat much more
tn q light-cOloled hiatt"
"rnat may Toe SO. but this hat Is well venii-
lated. You sec," ana he held one II the h u
IN hi- hand. they are very nigh. and there f.
aventiator IN the TOP. This hat wear myself.
Those that the poilceInei Wear have additional
ventiiators IN the sides"
Are not tue Panama hats more suitable for
thu policemen'- wear r.
II think not. Last year the force wore Pan
anna mats. and thirteen Of the men were sun
struck. 80 far none OF them have been stricken
oy The heat TINS wear. l think this Is "a strong
argument IN favor OF the black hat. Another
tnine. IN the fret shower the Panama hats are
nearly ruined. Take light cuIored hats for an
instance they would soon be sOiled and UNIT
for use. As for myself. wouldn't wear Pana-
ma nat ten minutes Ia the sun for 81 OUu. In the
army i always wore black hat. aud my men
wore the same kind in the hottest days"
bat the hat Is very heavy. IL weighs as
winter time"
Yes, guess that Is so. but that makes little
d n renee. The hat Is not extensive. IL costs
out az So and that is IS than bats OF other
descrIutions would cost"
"Dld you receive proposals for furnishing the
hat Z"
Yes; there were three or four bids, and we
accepted ia. lowest"
The REPORTER looked at the lining OF the hat.
ana saw tne lmprinf. " ID Davenport"
II believe continued Gen. smith, that the
men generally ar, satisfied with the mats. The
Superintendent SAID they took them with muen
cheerfulness.
he reporter next talk ed Win one of The most
intelligent CaI taius In Tie q part ent. lie SAID,
" can't wear the hat. ! tried II this morning
while on uatrul duty. and suffered terruiy.
know that INV men suffer | see tncm OH the
street with the hat III one hand and haudker-
chef In the otner. Whenever they take or the
hat their ioreheads are covered with persUira
ton. should say that II II "A most Unsuitable
he al wear. a policeman ntgut be q stinguished
In a crowd or at distance uy MS Uni Orm cap
nut with IL - hats II IL almost lmpo--io l- ~
recognize them unless their icrs are turned to
ward GU. but tue. Of course. X really no argu
meat III favor OF the - AZ IN TINS weather tn,
OH er should wear lightweight hat. ! should
suggest dark straw"
\ patrulmAn removed bis hat. ana the repor-
Ter examined II. win tue silver wreath ana mum.
bers tue hat weighs more Ia n orGinar, stif black
hats. The officer had torn out the timing &
lessen the weight. lie said that n was almost
uhbeaTaOie. Another officer said. " 1 sometimes
think that | must sutcuuO tO the neat. ThIs
hat Is Lac a bake ONen.'