Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-15
MRS. WILLIAM EDGAR sIMoNps.
HATS OFF.
An officials Ideas-When and Where
Gentleman Should Lift His Tile.

"There seems to be a revival" remarked a
departmental official to a STAR reporter the
other day, ..of the discussion of where and
when it is proper for a gentleman to remove
his hat in Difference to the presence Of other
people, for have noticed several articles lately
that showed that people were beginning to
think that this was after all a subject worthy
of some consideration. 1t seems to me that
the solution of the matter is an easy one, rest
ing upon the true polteness that should be one
of the first essences of gentlemanllness. In the
first place every lady is entitled to the respect
that is evinced by the removal Of the male tile
wherever 1t can be done without danger Of in
convenience to the wearer. On the street it is
OF course unnecessary, except upon meeting
with and parting from the lady; everybody
knows that and on that point there is no dis
pute. The only thing to consider under the
feminine head Is whether gentleman should
remove his hat in an elevator car where ladies
are riding. I noticed the other day a note
printed in THE STAR from a Statesman noted
for his gallantry," who declared that he saw no
necessity for removing his hat in the presence
of
LADIES IN ELEVATORS.
On that remark would just like to say that
/ am glad that politeness is not gagged entirely
by the position or the craftsmanship" of man,
for am firm believer in the contrary position
to that held by our unknown and gallant
friend. 1t Is neither inconvenient nor danger
Gus for gentleman to take off his hat in a car
and the man who fails to do SO is labor saving
machine, who strains fine point in order to
relieve himself of a little extra trouble. As
for me, find it no trouble at all. but rather q
pleasure to pay this very small but just tribute
to the sex. This is not inspired by mere gal
lantry but sense of what is right.
GENTLEMEN IN OFFICES
"But there is more difficult phase of the
question that is not so easy Of solution. Irefer
to the matter of taking off Of hats in the pres
ence OF other gentlemen in their Offices The
difficulty in the case is caused by these great
corridors, which really like SO many streets,
where no one would expect a man to remove
his hat any more than though he was in the
street. The sudden transition from the corri-
doris to the Office room, where the atmospheric
condition is about the same, is not marked by
any natural effect which would prompt man
to remove his hat unless he felt the inspiration
of his gentlemanly instinct. l do not blame a
man who fails to do this; / simply pity him.
He has the right to supposition that his neg
lect is the result of a poor memory, which is
always deplorabe. There is no more reason
presence in this room than there is that he
should be at liberty to walk into my
parlor at home and stand before me covered.
This is my official home just much that is
my personal home. 1t il not the place that
determines this matter but the man, both
men, in fact-the man who receives visitor
and the visitor himself. II both are gentle
men-provided, of course, that the latter has a
good memory-the thing will come as q matter
OF course. i have heard it said that these two
persons stand in the same relation to each
other as a bank clerk and his customer. Such
an argument is an evasion, and the man who
uses 1t is trying to avoid the real question Of
whether or not gentleman should be a gentle
man wherever he finds himself. II he is
possessed of real politeness he would never
think of such bubble. An argument like
that does not deserve an answer.
A GEORGE WASHINGTON CHESTNUT.
'You have undoubtedly heard the story Of
! Washington and the negro? No? Why, that
! story is almost az well known as that Of the
Ratchet. But it does not matter, it is good
story, and 1t well illustrates this phase of life.
1t Is told OF Washington that q negro once
| saluted him by raising his hat to him. He re-
sponded in the same way, to the surprise Of a
friend who was walking with him. The friend
asked why he had taken of his hat to a colored
man. Why replied Washington, L can't
afford to let a negro be any more polite than
am
The Germans have a proverb or common
saying to the effect that the man who carries
his hat in his hand can 60 anywhere. That
| hts the case exactly"
Speed by Spurts.
1t is not by exceptional exhibitions Of high
| speed that the real merits of roadway and ma
chinery are best exemplified, but rather by
| every day performances. The Baltimore and
Ohio railroad company is still the only line
maintaining regular three-hour schedule be-
tween Washington and Philadelphia and q
| forty-hve minute schedule between Washing
J ton and Baltimore. Although this service has
been in daily operation for over year it re-
| mains unmatched.-Adut
A Observation-Disclosures" look at me a
IL you thought was fool, eh?" Stranger
why, no; you can't be such fool, after all
Your remark shows that you read mans
thoughts at glance. "-Te1as S.ffings.
Couldn't Fool Her.-Young House Keeper