New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-10
A PROTEST AGAINST DRESS TRAINS.

A
ONE MAN THINKS THAT SOMETHING IS wRoN"
WITH wOMES's GOWNS.
TO the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: I wear sevens small Scvcns and until THIS
present hihcsome month II May never considered
Tim, was fuIy equipped with cspecia Is scow-ke feet
but +, does seem Of late rs If every time ! raised my
foot planted it on the train Of woman's dress !
ventuIcd ID address The Tribune several times recently
In protest against certain existing conditions ana
was about 10 relapse into my native silehc" ana oo
entity but the conditiOn of affairs TO which refer
is too SCRIP for silence and does not permit obscu1'y
Indeed, again again during the last few week
whco heard the crackle OF pins or hastings nave
veal ned for obscurity. and found 1t not.
Last Saturday afternoon / left my Office early /
had done weeks work. and determined to leave The
cares OF my business down town. left the elevated
trim at sixthavc and Twentyth ST. and was tripping
cayly down the station stairs. when there was sharp
tearing sound an exclamation Of horror and became
aware that had stepped OIL a train ana seriously
damaged IT,
You have torn my dress. SIR snapped the owner
"Madame,' protested, Was three steps behind you
| had no idea you extended that far II the look
that woman gave could have bored holes. my
person might now be used TO screen ashes.
Two or three women similarly equipped ~hh
trains crowded around and offered The unfortunate
sympathy and pins but l did not hnger. lherc a'c
times In every mans life when he IeeIs Ike neeig 10
the mountain. and though unable to do exactly tha''
[ fed down Twenty third ST. The unplcasantness Of
this incident weighed upon me that dccrmihcd
10 60 to n matinee. and perhaps shake OF the gloom
With a comic opera Accordingly selected theatre,
purchased ticket and was engrOsscd In the
play.
| am compelled to admit that have one unfortu-
nate habit at a theatre. During two years resi-
dencc In Chicago contracted the habit OF stamping
and Though applaud like other ew-lorhefs. Win
L... min al. u her
much amused 1t so happened that particularly
absurd situation and dialogue amused me greatly. ana
[ was In the full tide OF laughing. applauding and
stamping when a sitting Just In front turned
suddenly about and glarcd at me with the glare OF
tiger, and the who was with her leaned over
and said angriy
Sir. YOU are treading nil over my wifc's Dress
Light and electricity travel not fnster tlmn my np-
plause and amusement disappeared. | made the most
sbiect APOLOGY and then hasy examination show ed
that the owner OF the train. knowing Just how to
dispose OF IT, had tiled II back along the aisle beside
her seat. and tbs end Ind been swept under my feet
The same hssty examination showed me that IN!
lu-judged enthusiasm had stamped the gimp and gores
u believe these technical terms) to pulp, 50
10 speak, and realized ahat It would be wise TO-
me TO be absent when the gpTish light OF day fell
upon that train. Accordingly l seized my hat aud
hastily departed.
submit. Mr. Editor. that the seriousness OF this
matter for the men OF New York cannot be overcs-
timated. New York has population anywhere from
one TO three millions according to whatever CENSUS
you prefer II is a small island with big crowd on
t. and while the men trying 10 solve the problem
by erecting ten and twenty story buildings. the fem
iine half Of the population is running not with what
little space Is left the ground. Before long the
men. women trains must 80. and OF course tiat
the men.
This diplomatic fashion, am told has already be
a most perplexng element In THIS season
weddings Not long ago ! heard OF bridal party
which was compelled to change from one OF the large
churches n small church near by. The bridal train
had been constructed for the larger church. and when
the bride arrived for the ceremony IL wa louhd u
the horror OF all that when the bridal party had
gone AS far into the church a. they could q portion
OF the train protrtlded to the sidewalk The wedding
was delayed until the best man had given police
man q; to watch the Sidewalk end during the ccr"-
mony Indeed ] hear that dreesmakers IN tahiig
orders for wedding dresses insist on knowing inc
length the church asles In feet ana inches
am well aware, Mr.. Editor. that In writing you
this protest / am burning my social bridges behind
me. I have much 10 lose. am Young ana fond OF
society but some brave man must take this step we
have no issue make - strrnmcrs. Mr.. Editor: We
core not how many yards Of ribbon our fair fellow
citizens dangle from their persons but away win the
trains! IA. . ,o,,.
where I'm Hungary Poland that became desperate nj
his fashion which had penetrated even there. ana the
city fathers passed a law prohibiting feminine trains
on course Il failed know not but what those brave
men are dead. Whether they are OF not every
man I'm New-Yorl should do them honor.
some day, perhaps when the broadway cable road Is
finished, I hope to go 10 Europe. and then snail
seek that city In Poland and take OF my beaver beside
the tombs Of those heroic dead Yours unfalicnngly
New-York. May H. 1902. SELF PROTECTION