New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-08-10
INCIDENTS IN A POLICEMAN'S LIFE.

WHAT THE UNIFORMS COST AND HOW THEY LAST
TIE HEALTH OF THE FORCE.
policeman stepped out of the pouring rain and
stood under an awning He shook himself like a
great Newfoundland dog and the water trickled
from the rubber covering on his hat down on his
rubber cape and poured from it in little streams.
"The water doesn't soak through the cape, but
it's mighty warm under it, this weather, can tell
you,r he said to the reporter VINO was watching
him.
." DO you wear q rubber coat in cold weather"
asked the reporter.
"In very cold weather | wear o Jacket and q
heavy overcoat and if it storms rubber coat and
this cape besides These with heavy trousers BOOTS
and overshocs, equip me for cola winter hlgnt',
could then sit down the pavement in the rain for
hours, without being wet through, ana rarely reel
the cold Our heavy overcoats arc OF themselves
waterproof or nearly go and when they get old ana
shiny so that they cannot he worn for best we have
them made waterproof by a process that costs Fb'
We don't get the now coats made waterproof, be
cause il makes them look shiny and you know we
must have u nice-ooking dress coat on hand whel,
we are called out to appear ~ the llneSt me oiu
coats do very well To wear ON bad days or hghts IN
the spring and fall before the weather extremely
cold In the summer we wear our light blOuSes and
trousers, and we have TO manage them, keeping on
hand u dress SUIT, Just the same way. In some OF
the upper wards OF the city the men wear heavy
leather wastcuat in cool weather. This keeps them
warm and is also n protection from stones that the
BOYS in those districts are always throwlngi De-
SIDES, 10 will turn pistol shot or knllc
"What does our clothing cost us Well, police.
man with little management can dress well ana
not have his clothing cost him very much Tie
goods we use the very beat mcltons ana kcrseys
They will wear down to the last thread without
fading much. The department purchases the cloth
IN large quar- titles of the manufacturer to supply
the entire force Then we have IA tailor who makes
up all the clothes for the police force. An oycrcodt
is the most costly piece We have TO pay $50 for IT;
Won could not get tailor to make one Ike II for
less than SO $50. One of them VIII last two
seasons easily as q best coat and three moro with u
little care fOT second hest yOu get hve years
of wear out of an OvcrcOat The other articles don't
last SO we'll but have Just had pair OF trousers,
wastcOat and blouse made up for summer wear.
They cost me I'll for making and $40 more for the
goods. | can wear them another summer for good
That hole was made by 0 sailor whom arrested the
other night. He drew a knife Oh mo before knew
1t and gave n clip that cut my coat Those things
are likely to happen and streak of bad luck Will
sometimes ruin a new suit
A policeman takes cold generally when he is
caught unprcparcd by u sudden change IN the
weather. New policemen usually get severe AZ,
tack of malaria, AMI some of the older ones VIII
feel twinge OF rheumatism whenever 1t IS damp.
The pneumonia il liable to take any man when he Is
mapping. Ii he escapes these chances aud doesn't
drink too much bad whskcy, he's likely to live as
long rs other men, unless lie catches an unexpectn
bullet or is knocked down and kicked to death by
r0ughs. The rain has let up little ana must
an