Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-21
MANAGERS FIND FAULT.
They Don't Like the Provisions of the
Anti-HiEh Hat Law.

Anti-High Hat LAW.
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
COLUMBUS, Ohio. April 20, 1896.
Theater managers are finding much fault
with the new anti-high hat law. and male
dictions galore are being heaped upon the
heads of the poor lawmakers. Several
eminent attorneys question the constitu-
tionality of the law on the ground that 1t
provides for the punishment Of an inno-
cent party the theater manager) rather
than the offender-the wearer of the OBJ
jectionable hat. 1t Is altogether likely that
the supreme court will be called upon at
an early day to determine upon the con-
stitutionality of the Fosdick law. the PEN
atty section imposes fine ranging from
two to ten dollars upon any theater man
ager who permits hat to be worn by
which the view of any patron is obstructed.
Mrs. Bushnell Pushed 1t.
Largely to the influence, energy and eff
forts Of Mrs. Bushnell is due the passage
of the Fosdick bill.
The governors wife Interested herself in
the measure from the start. and she was
present as guest of the senate OH the
day final action was taken by that body.
Enthusiastic applause followed the an
nouncement of the vote, and this was led
by Mrs. Bushnell
AL the time Oh the introduction OF the
bill in the house it was looked upon as
nothing more nor less than joke. Many
members of the lower branch Of the gen
eral assembly voted in favor Of the bill
for the mere novelty Of the thing, and with
no thought that it would be passed by the
senate. At first the august senators lock-
ed lightly upon the bill, but the strong ar
gument used by the governors wife caused
them to regard it with more seriousI ess
AS evidence of the strong influence CT this
good woman, it may be said that when the
roll was called but two sena tors recorded
themselves in the negative, while twenty
six voted for the passage OF tho bill.
Some Amusing Incidents.
Many amusing incidents developed during
the discussion of the oil In he house
the veteran, Mr.. Williams, eighty-lye years
of age, stated that the last time he went
to the theater he thought he had gotten
into turkey roost, with the feathers all
turned the wrong way. During the course
of his speech Senator Shattuc produced a
large picture Of three pretty feminine faces
smiling with most 1oQuettish air beneath
their mammoth hats. In burst OF ora
tory the venerable Shattuc held IN the
illustration, and assuming dramatic at
titude. exclaimed: Fellow senators, J ap-
peal to you all, would it De possible for any
one to see the stage if seated behind such
an array of millinery?
Il wouldn't give a cent for the rest of
the show If could look at the originals Of
that picture" interrupted Senator Hogg.
Senator Sparks submitted an amendment,
which lacked but two votes of passage,
prohibiting men from eating cloves and
going out between acts.
For publication, Mrs. Bushnell spoke en-
Enthusiastically in support Of the law. Said
she: I'm my home city of Springfield, for
several years the ladies. by common con-
sent. have refrained from wearing high
hats to the theater. The law is good leg
islation, and it will only be a short time
until it Is universally popular