The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-06-20
Men WHO WEAR NO ovERcoArs.
Letter Carriers, Conductors and Otn~
Glasses Who DO Without Them.


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 oD-
seryation. There are hundreds OF men
in this city who do not wear overcoats
at any time during the year.
Prominent among theh 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 VI
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
oyercoat.
"It would be little more comfortable
just for to-day" he said, "bnt this
weather won't last, and so I'll get
through all right without one. The first
winter was III the department 1T was
terrible for me, and thought 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 ovcrcoat 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 a messenger with
| n coat over his uniform, but he is usu-
ally a new boy or delicateschap who
cannot stand the cold, for the majority
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 TINS
change these men presented a motley
sight during the winter months. VI
, cold days they wrapped themselves II
: all sorts of ragged and tattered coats
y and even tied bagging about their lee
in order to keep warm. Although tn'
s uniform of white duck does not presen
$ q very comfortable aspect, the men keel
s warm by wearing heavy short coats ant
e a pair or two of heavy trousers under
o meath, and if they stick to their worl
properly they will never feel the nce'
e of a bulky overcoat.
n Elevated railroad guards, as class
y do not wear overcoats, although one
70 included in the uniform. They usual
d bundle up snugly underneath thel
" short jacket, and, as they are Above
st to pass their time between stations IL
* side the cars, they do not find an owe
he coat at all necessary to their comfor
re Few of them resort to an oyercoat e.
"a cepting in very stormy weather.
Sailors never wear overcoats, an
IT more than that, they never bundle U
&c around their necks. 1t is rare to see
In sailor with the collar of his pea-jack
IN turned up around his neck. AS ru
10 they walk along in the ierccst bree
ur with nearly one-fourth of their ches
IN barred, and, as a class, they are fr
II from colds and diseases of the lungs.
no Many health experts have argn
as about the use of overcoats, and the CO
ng sensus of opinion is that people wr
IN up too much in winter time. Many IN
ne can afford overcoats who do not we
ng them except during zero weather. TIL
Nv claim that overcoat wearing is hab
ho and not only unnecessary, but Diet
mental to health. A writer in this ci
pa has not worn an overcoat in five yea
ng and he has not had cold during til
NC period.-N. Y. World.