The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-10-30
HIGH HATS IN CHURCH.
Topeka Ladies Believe the Pro-
posed Ordinance
Requiring Them to Be Removed
is Unreasonable.
Ladies Unanimous That Hats Should
Be Taken OFF at the Theater.

Unless the members of the city cOun-
Gil wish to offend the ladies of Topeka,
they win cut from Councilman Bur
CESS high hat" ordinance that portion
requiring the removal of hats in
churches when it comes up before them
for consideration.
The ladies of Topeka, married and
single, practically stand together on
this point. All who have expressed an
opinion ridicuIe the idea of the council
passing an ordinance recurring ladies'
10 remove their hats in church, while
without exception they agree that hats
should be removed IN Iheaters. They
say that there is world of difference
between the two requirements, there be-
ing no necessity for the former while
the latter is simply a matter of con-
sideration for others.
The expressions Of opinions are as
follows:
Mrs. c. r. Hudson-I believe that the
removal of hats in theaters is simply a
matter of consideration for others. PeO-
pie go to theaters to see something, and
high hat often proves an annoyance.
But in church it is so different. Peo-
pie so to church supposedly to worship,
and L see absolutely no reason for the
removal of ladies' hats. 1 have never
heard of such a requirement in any
other city, and 1 am sure it would not
meet with approval among the ladies Of
Topeka.
Mrs. c. S. Sutton-I think the idea of
removing hats in theaters is a splend-
id one, and see no objection TO such
requirement. In fact, think it is now
carried out in Topeka to a great eX-
tent. But really don't see the neces-
sity or sense OF removing hats in
churches. People go to church to hear
rather than to see, and L don't think
hats are an annoyance or Interference
in worship. 1 don't think that such
requirement would be at all satisfac-
tory to the ladies.
L. II l.
there would be any objection TO the or
dinance if they limit its requirements
to the removal of hats in theaters, for
l think every one agrees that this is
proper But 1 really can't see the ne
cessity for the removal of hats in
churches. I know that in the Catholic
church, ladies are required to wear a
covering on their heads in church, and
1 think this is also true in the more
ancient forms of the Episcopal faith. 1
have heard of such a thing before, and
L see no sense in such requirement.
Mrs. A. gen-UndOubtedly pa
pas" would like the ordinance passed
just as it is now proposed, for if ladies
did not wear hats in either the theater
or the church, the milline"s bills would
be much smaller. But don't think the
ordinance would be satisfactory to the
ladies, for there is no reason for the re
mOval of hats in churches. There is a
reason for the removal of hats in the
aters, and I think that such a require
meut would be all right.
Miss Franc Littlefield-I think that if
I couldn't worship God as well with my
hat on as with it Oft I wouldn't try at
all. i really think that it is a very nice
idea for ladies to remove their hats in
theaters, but L don't think they should
be required to in churches. If ladies
We're required to remove their hats in
church l am afraid they would find it
rather awkward caring for their head
gear in changing their positions. don't
believe in such a requirement.
Miss Margaret AIulvane-I think the
idea of ladies' removing their hats in
church is absurd In .theaters it is en-
tirely different, and I believe ladies
should remove their hats. There is
then no annoyance to the people sitting
behind you. and an audience I think
looks far prettier when the ladies re-
move their hats. But I don't believe
that ladies should be required to re-
move their hats in churches.
Miss ollie O'Brien-I see no necessity
for the removal of hats in churches and
think it would be entirely unsatisfac-
tory to the ladies to be required to do
so. In theateTs I think there is every
reason for the removal OF hats be-
cause people go to theaters to see the
stage.
Miss Ida Bergen-I am sure every