The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1896-08-27
THE USE OF OLD HATS
One Of the Most important Parts Of Mans
Costume.


Costume.
Formerly the United States imported
the major part of the hats used within
it's borders from Europe. especially
from England Germany and France.
the latter and Vienna furnishing the
best quality of silk hate. To-day the
hat industry in the United States has
asshmed such enormous proportions
that it not only supplies the home de-
mand. but many thousands of AH1erl-
can hats find their way across the
ocean to foreign customers. There
are factories in this country. Ike the
Stetson company in Philadelphia, that
produce in the neighborhood OF "o-oVo
dozen q year. while the American Styles
are freely acknowledged to be supe-
rior to those Of Europe. The quality
of hats manufactured in this country
is also superior TO that manufactured
abroad. with the exception of the silk
hat, the consumption of which has or
late decreased considerably. The fact
seems to be that foreign hats are lIl-
ported solely for a certain class OF
American consumers who prefer any
thing foreign to domestic article.
For what with the quality, style and
quantity of hats produced in the Unit
cd States, there seems to be no neces-
sity for Importation.
The material from which the better
class of hats is made is imported
largely from several European coI'A-
tries and from South America, the lat
ter furnishing the exceedingly hne
quality of nutria fur. Russian and Ger
man hares. white and yellow carrot.
and beaver in raw and carrot state,
also enter largely in the manufacture.
Considering the good material hats
are hade Of it will be interesting to
note what becomes of the millions or
hats that are annually, or even montn-
ly. discarded by their owners in con-
diton which should allow their con-
Timed wearing for considerable time
to come.
The discarded hats of the rich man
rarely fall mo. other hands than thVse
of his valet wlA either uses the
himself OF disposes ef them, togethe
with other pieces of hfS~ masters ais-
carded wardrobe to fl3es.s-< y y 9ial 9Sefr55
in second hand clothing. As these
hats are generally in very good condf-
ton, they find a ready sale withOut
the process of renovation which other
hats coming from less distinguished
sources have to undergo, and they
share their fate only at second
change of owners.
The average professional and busi-
ness man does not trouble himsel1
about the disposal of discarded hats.
They generally remain in some closet
in the office or at home until an appli-
cant for the same appears. But there
are many men of this class with an
economical turn of mind who do hot
disdain to enter into negotiations WIFI
the hat doctor. This individual makes
a canvass in the downtown once
| buildings. where he contracts for the
rciuyenation of worn headpieces,
guaranteeing to return them for GER
tain consideration, ''as good as new.
He does not buy hats; he is only
sort of broker, as the actual work Oh
rciuvenating hat is done by some
dveing and repairing establishment
which makes Il specially of this busl-
ness.
These establishments form the mack
from toward which are drawn the dls'
carded hats from all sources. Here
the hat of the plutocrat mikes with
that of the lawyer, the merchant ana
the dry goods clerk. undergoing the
same process of cleaning or dyelng.
All distinctions of rank disappear III
the dyeing vat, where nutria, hair ana
shoddy are on an equal footing, all
soaking in the new color, which, TO-
gether with a fresh binding, assures
them new lease of life.
The career of a hat is short one,
IFS average of life after leaving the
factory and up to the time it gets into
the hands of the hat doctor being not
more than six months. The silk hat
lasts somewhat longer, and its ex'
perience is generally little more var
! led than that of the derby or soft hat.
When a silk hat reaches the rejuvenat'
ing stage it is more pliable subject
than any of its comrades.