The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-06-12
rArAL oFrIoEns, UxIroRMa
Thoy Are Matters or Great ssIicitpde ana
Their Cost IL Not Low.
From the Washington Post.

Their Cost IL Not Low.
From th- Washington Post.
When Commodore Dewey stood on the bridge
Of the flagship olympia. during tho memorable
engagement at Manila, no wore what Is known
in the navy az the service" coat. This Is a coat
OF dark navy blue cloth or serge. shaped to the
figure, to descend to top OF insenm Of trousers.
There Is a slit over each hip extending on tho
right side as high as the sword holt. 1t was single
breasted, with ny front, fitted with plain fiat
Hutta porchR buttons, and a standing collar.
The collar edges OF tho coat were trimmed with
~lustrous black mohRlr braid, one and a quarter
inches wide. laid on fiat. Beside this at n dis
lance OF ono.eighth OF an inch was shown n mar.
row black silk braid one.eighth Of an inch wide,
with an overland turn three.eighths OF an inch
in diameter. 1t 10 needless TO state that the
lady readers will understand this much better
than the male ones. The coat was worn closely
Commodore Dewey wore n pair Of trousers
with n stripe OF gold lace down their outer seam
one inch in width. Tho Commodore rank was
shown by his. shoulder straps, collar devices,
and braid on the sleeves. Being n Commodore,
he had n silver star and a silver foul anchor
two.inch broad braid with gold star above. On
his head the hero of Manila had Il new style
broad-top cap with gold strap and gold orna-
mcnts. consisting OF anchors. silver shield with
eagle above. Tho visor was trimmed with gold
Last December Commodore. then Captain,
Dewey went to his tailor in Washington to have
his clothes r~etrimmed. for. his promotion. IN
rank, as far as possible. He was forced to buy
q full-dresB coat and a frock coat for his rank of
Commodore and also a cap. The latter cost $l5.
No swell who. walks up Connecticut avenue or
the avenue, with an income of from $40, 900 to
$500 q year. 10 u whit more particular In re-
gard to the selection OF his suits than an ensign
In tho navy. The chances are he has more OF
them, but they are Of no better quality and cost
One OF the first things that a naval cadet is
taught Is to keep his uniforms IN good condi-
ton. He must hayea number Of them for spe-
rial OppnR IDna The rppllnti lima rf thn pnvy - p
most strict and e~xacting in regard to the dress
OF its officers. 1t takes most Of a young Off
rior onicer thinks he should appear. - '0p''
Naval officers are so per cent. more particular
about the making of their uniforms than those
Of the army. The reason is plain. Naval Off.
GERS are continually cruising about the world
order TO uphold the honor OF the country which
they represent they must be fifty attired. and
according to tho regulations. which I'll a good
sized pamphlet, laid down by the department,
he must have at least four or i've different coats.
such az the special full dress, full dress. social
full dress, frock, service dress, besides caps.
chapeaux, helmets. gloves. boots and shoes of
the best quality of special designs.
Whom the Runboat Helena was in Washington
several months ago it was explained TO visitors
that there was no ship in the navy that was bet
After everything had been pointed out, the
young officers would point with pride to the
chests underneath the hunks, provided for the
uniforms, so that no possible damage could re-
suit to them. Electric fans, stationary wash
stands. and other conveniences were all we'll
bub ~ "uo al lIlO tlOlut5
which caught the fancy Of the officers most.
When the United States naval officers lost
several years ago. a bill was introduced to rcim-
burse them. Estimates, were asked from ~tailors
out that that OF u Lieutenant could be taken as
the basis; and the amount could be decreased or
increased. according to rank, The wearing ap-
parel Of a Lieutenant was figured at $1,365.
that of an Ensign was fixed at about 81 $50,
and the Rear AdmirHl's at about $1,000.
supplying the uniforms for naval officers for
nearly fifty years. When Can't. Dewey was
station in December he went to this tailor, who
has been fitting him out ever since he has been
81 want everything exactly according to regu.
ipbt,ons' DssiT Few told 81 the the m p Iat Of #. the he goose oon and and
have 1t as we'll as you can. But above all
be careful that you make no mistake in regard
see you and spending some more money"
The tailor in question said that Admiral
most particular man in regard to his dress. 1t
would have to MT him exactly. When he became
had an entire f%ull.dress outfit made, This cost,
including the chnpeau. $7G5. The chapeau and
s soId heed hSa 9" an ls" Sfs S on thew sword His bsI trS %ns wo ws eS
In oak leaves. His epaulets alone cost $175..
"He was a great man for a joke. Admiral
him when the Admiral lived in Washington.
He sent for me one day TO see about some
gain with me. This was that | should take his
coat and exchange 1t for that OF the first mid
ehipman who came into my place. He said he
knew he would get the best of the bargain.
II was at the house one day. waiting to take
his order. when the card of a representative OF
a magazine which wished to publish an article
giving his views on some naval question was
sent up. l was in the room with the Admiral
when the magazine man was admitted. He told
the Admiral what he wanted, and asked him
when he could do It. Admiral Porter thought
for a while, and then remarked that he knew OF
some one who was more competent to write on
the subject than himself. The Questioner was
then told that II he would wait a few wccks-i,
was May at tho timc-thc cadets would Pradu,
ate at the Naval Academy, and any MILDLY
was more competent TO treat the subject, or &C