New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-23
WHITE DUCK AS A BADGE or SERVILITY.


The building trades section Of the Central
labor Union has raised question Of deep social
and psychological significance. Rather II mas re-
opened the question for If there was one thins
which YVES apparently settled IT was the distinc-
tion which n uniform conferred. But now comes
the building trades section to overthrow all nxeo
ideas by arraigning Colonel Waring for UNIFORM
ing his street-cleaning brigade. OH the ground
that IL "savors too strongly Of European customs
land is contrary to the teaching that labor -
noble and holy"
II has hitherto been a common remark IN tnis
country that, though uniforms might SAVIOR or
European inequality, the freeborn American ciu-
zen was exceedingly prone to wear them. Inc
Army and Navy buttons are the delight OF sum
mer girls; the policeman walks with prouoer
step when he gets his blue coat on. the militia
man never fails to preserve the counterreit OF HIS
soldiery self for admirng family; the coun-
try youths proudest day is when he joins
brass band and the most modest and retiring
citizens rejoice in Masonic regalia. A uniform
confers distinction. The man in black coat
may be a clerk or a ragpicker for aught any one
knows except from the richness Of his attire-that
is except for the mere difference In appearance
that money give. But a uniform marks lts
wearcr as a member of some peculiar body or
able service to the public It's use invariably
raises the discipline OF body OF men. The po-
lIceman in uniform Is better officer than the
special deputy In citizens clothes. A uniformed
fire department Ia more efficient than one In
which the spirit OF organization Is undeveloped
by special dress and drill. There Is no reason
why the men who undertake to keep our streets
clear Of dirt ehould think a uniform which marks
them as permanent and classified members Of the
public service a badge OF serviity. while police
men consider the dress that marks them as pub
lie servants who keep the streets clear of thieves
a badge OF honor.
Why man should prefer to be thought a COM
mon laborer hired from day to day to scrape
mud Instead Of a regular employee OF the city
selected as specially competent for the same
work. 1t Is dlffcult to see. Perhaps the building
trades people think the street-cleaners should De
ashamed to be known doing that work. May
be 1t Is the work. not the uniform. that they con-
slider degrading. and object to the uniform be-
cause II publishes the shame Of those who do the
work But In that case It Is they and not Colonel
Waring who deny that Tabor Is noble and holy
II the street cleaners really think that their labor
Is noble and holy. as firmly believe II TO BE-.
they should be proud 10 do 1t Systematically, and
rejoice TO be members Of uniformed force that
has done its work better than II was ever done
before and which deserves the thanks Of every
citizen OF NewYork. STRENGTHENING il hum
BILE occupation. but it Is an honest one. and any
man who believes In the dignity Of labor may
reasonably prefer to be seen in the white duck
suit which says he Is a faithful and efficient en-
poye Of the city than 70 appear as the street
cleaner used 70 appear. one OF miscellaneous
horde who in citizens clothes drew pay from the
city while they left the streets full OF mud.
White duck will shame no man who Is not
ashamed OF his work. and the work will shame
no man who really thinks labor Is noble and
holy 1t IL the man who is secretly ashamed
OF an honest occupation who finds in its marks
badge of servIllty.