New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-27
SHAVED BY A WOMAN.
AN EXPERIMENT IN THE SHOP OF A
NEWCOMER IN THE BUSINESS
WITHOUT DISASTROUS
RESULTS.


filled with women BARRIERS has already been
opened in the lower part of Manhattan Borough.
and another and much more pretentious one is
contemplated. There is also one shop in Brook
Ign. and it is owned and conducted by the same
person that operates the one in this borough
Probably nothing that has occurred in the
tonsOrial world for years has created so much
excitement among the men BARRIERS as the ad-
vent OF the women into their trade, and it has
been the chief subject of discussion in trade cir
Giles for days. The BARRIERS local unions and
State ard National organizations have also
taken the matter up and made much Of it. They
all condemn the action OF the venturcsome
women in seeking to invade the trade, and they
have passed resolutions against admitting
women BARRIERS into their unions or recognizing
them as BARRIERS in any form. AT the meeting
OF the BARRIERS Association Of New-York State
and the Metropolitan BARRIERS Association OF
this city. held here a few days ago. the treas
urcr Of the latter association. Joseph Renk.
spoke with fear and trepidatiOn of the appear
ance Of women BARRIERS in the trade. He de-
clared that women had "bested" the men in
every trade they had entered. Among the trades
in which the poor. weak women had driven the
men to the wall was that of the walters. Mr.
Renk said that now that the women had van
pushed the men walters they had turned their
attention to the BARRIERS; and II the latter did
not wish to be driven out of the business they
had better take time by the forelock and mus
ter their forces for battle Just how the men
BARRIERS could prevent the women from getting
foothold in the trade Mr.. Renk did not say.
but 1t is understood that ne favors a boycott
being placed upon the women barber shops by
all the trades unions and their friends.
The men BARRIERS in this city say that while
women BARRIERS comparatively unknown
here they are thicker than hops in the Western
cities. There are hundreds of them in Chicago,
and they have put the men BARRIERS to rout in
that city and IL they are not prevented they
will do the same thing here. They will work
cheaper than the men. and they can get stua-
tons when the men cannot on that account.
There is considerable mystery to who owns
the barber shop in this city. There are three
women BARRIERS in It, and they are all young and
comedy The only man in the place is a cOlored
bootback. The owner Of the shop is known as
Letter Carrier No 666 and that is as much
anybody has been able to learn about him. An
other mystery to the people who daily pass the
womens barber shop is how the women make
out as BARRIERS. And this is just what is bring
ing grist to the shops ml-the curiosity of the
men to learn what kind of BARRIERS the women
make.
When Tribune reporter noticed the sign
Women Barbers' in front OF the shop the other
day. he stopped. blinked his eyes several times
to insure himself that he had read the sign right
and then he nstnctively rubbed his chin. Yes.
he undoubtedly wanted a shave. but ii safe
to risk himself in BARRIERS chair operated by
a woman? AS the reporter stood debating the
question with himself, friend hailed him.
Have a shave" asked the reporter of his
friend.
We'll. yes" remarked the man. He had not
noticed the sign, and ne followed the reporter
into the shop as innocently as a lamb. He ap-
peared somewhat startled, however. when he
got inside and saw three young women lined
I'D behind as many barber chairs waiting for
customers The reporter waited a moment for
his friend TO climb into one Of the chairs, but
instead of doing so he moved to the rear OF the
room and told the reporter to hurry up and he
would wait for him
Why are you not going TO get shaved" ex-
claimed the reporter.
ooh no | am growing a beard" replied his
friend The reporter then realized that there
was no help for IT, 80 ne got into of the
chairs himself He felt that ne had placed his
life in jeopardy by trusting it in the hands of a
woman barber and his fears We're not lessened .
Nv hearing a diabocal smoker behind him. But
whether it came from the woman barber or his
friend he could not determine. The woman bar /
Der began her work in def style She first
placed a warm wet cloth on the reporters face
and. after holding it there for a moment she
ook II off She then lathered his face with a
reckless disregard Of the shops soap bills. but
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