Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-05-28
MEN WHO WEAR NO ovERcoATs.
Letter Carriers, Conductors and Other
Glasses Who Do Without Them.

Letter Carriers, Conductors and Other
Glasses Who Do Without Them.
''Man is clothes-wearing ANIMAL"
says Carlyle in his "Sartor Resartus,"
but his description of these garments
would have been curtailed had GER
tain class of men, who never wear over
coats, come within the limits of his OBJ
servation. There are hundreds of men
in this city who do not wear pvercoats
at any time during the year.
Prominent among then are the letter
carriers. They do not wear overcoats
because it is against the rules of the
post office department. A uniform of
gray was designed for them, and they
have to wear it the year round. Of
course the summer uniform is of lighter
weight than those they wear during the
winter months. The only exception is
the rubber coat, which is considered
part of the uniform, and is allowed on
rainy days. The writer asked letter
carrier if he did not feel the need of an
overcoat.
at would be a little more comfortable
just for to-day he said, "but this
weather won't last, and so I'll get
through all right without one. The first
winter I was in the department it was
terrible for me, and thought I would
freeze, but I've got used to being with
out one now, and don't mind the cold
weather at all"
Another great class of workers sell
dom seen wearing overcoats are the
messenger boys. No overcoat is in
cluded in their uniform either, but there
are no rules prohibiting them from
wearing these garments if they desire.
At times one may see messenger with
coat over his uniform, but he is usu-
ally new boy or a delicate chap who
cannot stand the cold, for the ma iority
Of the messengers do not care to wear
coats.
Since the introduction of the new uni
forms in the street cleaning depart
ment the absence of overcoats on street
sweepers is much noticed. Prior to this
change these men presented a motley
sight during the winter moIEhs. On
cold days they wrapped themselves in
all sorts of ragged and tattered coats,
and even tied bagging about their feet
in order to keep warm. Although the
uniform of white duck does not present
q very comfortable aspect, the men keep
warm by wearing heavy short coats and
a pair or two of heavy trousers under
meath, and if they stick to their work
properly they will never feel the need
of a bulky overcoat.
Elevated railroad guards, as a class,
do not wear overcoats, although one is
included in the uniform. They usually
bundle up snugly underneath their
short jacket, and, as they are allowed
to pass their time between stations in
side the cars, they do not find an over
coat at all necessary to their comfort
Few of them resort to an overcoat eX-
cepting in very stormy weather.
Sailors never wear overcoatS, and,
around their necks. It is rare to see a
sailor with the collar of his pea-jacket
turned up around his neck. AS a rule
they walk along in the fiercest breeze
with nearly one-fourth of their chests
barred, and, as class, they are free
from colds and diseases of the lungs.
Many health experts have argued
about the use of overcoats, and the con
sensus of opinion is that people wrap
up too much in winter time. Many mer
can afford overcoats who do not wear
them except during zero weather. They
claim that overcoat wearing is habit
and not only unnecessary, but detri
mental to health. A writer in this city
has not worn an overcoat in five years
and he has not had a cold during tina
period.-N. Y. World.