Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-19
Coats, However, We're Not as Burden
some as on Yesterday.
MERCURY DROPS 4 Few DEGREES
Consoling Fact That Hot Spell
Can't Last Always.
SOME COMMUNE Ms

II LIZ CAtSi piiSiiS SuSeSSSAOh AAiooS ia
The Star yesterday regarding the off-with-
the-coat and sport-the-neglige-shrt reform
during the present and coming solsticial
periods had no other effect, it was admira-
BILE in the discussion 1t created and thereby
distracted many minds from q considera-
ton of the actual temperature. few I'M
conventional. independent and. as. it re-
suited, comfortable individuals appeared to-
day on the streets clad only, far as
vision could discover above the trousers
waistband. in neglige shirts. very large
number of others envied them and wished
they had the courage to follow suit, and
others still refrained from going coatiess
because they could not get along without
the pockets which that important part of
the apparel contains.
Lots of Others Like Them.
Now, if 1 had the ingenuity of a wo-
man. said one perspiring man. who highly
approved the take-off-your- idea. land
could stow away everything I am COM
PEELED to carry around with me, from
handkerchief to chocolate creams in
pocketbook, ia shuck this coat at once
and say scat to critics whether feminine
masculine. But 1 have a penchant for
pipe and tote 1t around with me. along
with my tobacco pouch, and l find myself
unable to carry either Of these articles SO
necessary to happiness in either my trou-
sers, pockets, my neglige bosom or my
socks. Hence, while l am crusader for
no coats in hot weather I must stand
little more heat in order to carry my habit
satisf1ers around with me-"
Drop of Several Degrees.
The approver's coat. however. was not
quite 80 great a burden to bear as 1t was
yesterday and the day before, when it
came to a matter of thermometer degrees
49,
eter recorded 95 degrees at 2 pm. which
was 991a yesterday at the same hour. The
weather bureau instrument also show
ed several degrees less. the mark
reached at o'clock being 81, a drop OF
five degrees from the same time yesterday
and of eight degrees from the high notch
Of the season, 90, touched yesterday at 2:15.
The clouds that settled slowly and tan
taizingly over the city pretty much all
day had a good deal to do with the moder-
alton. as any one could realize who hap
pened to be In the way of the sun when
he shot his rays through rift in the vapor.
and the clouds held up hope for relief even
yet, despite their persistent fickleness yes
terday. The local rains SO kindly promised
for last night by Acting Chief Williams of
the weather bureau did not appear. and
consequently there was a general disin-
clination to place confidence In similar pre-
dictions for today, but there were hopes
still, albeit not as high as the clouds, and
then there was the certainty. not a little
last forever.
The "Shirt Waist" Problem.
To the Editor of The Evening Star:
1t has long been wonder to the gentle
sex that the lords of creation have so meek
ly bowed to precedent in the matter of sum-
mer apparel II women. whose most inds-
pensable virtue Is modesty. may without
blame lay aside coat and waistcoat and APP
pear in shirts, white and colored, why may
not man do likewise? Apparently he is
moving toward this conclusion himself.
Wednesday, in a bank, the staff" of
which Is supposed to represent the flower
of our aristocracy. six or seven gentlemen In
shirt waists @ pursued the even tenor of
their employment, in the public eye, which,
If it fingered upon them. did only in ap-
prevail or envy. Remembering how soon
the golf stockings ceased to attract atten-
ton, let the good example set by our jeu-
nesse doree above recorded be bravely
followed in and out of banks, in and out
OF doors. THERMOMETER.
"On With the Coats"
To the Editor Of The Evening Star:
Your article OF Wednesday, on with the
Coats-Neglige Shirts are Proper for Men
as Shirt Waists for Women" met with a
hearty response on the part Of many women
well men, as 1t Yves read in the swell
tering heat. l trust the all-powerful press
will pursue this declaration Of independence
until victory is achieved. Since manhood
has been so generous to Womankind and has
So graciously granted her q seat beside
himself in law office, bank and business
house, and notably 30 in all our govern
ment departments. and with such chivalry
is known only to our splendid American
men. why should woman not respond favor
ably to tho cry Of melting humanity, "On
with the coats?'
Men have readily sanctioned every COM
nonsense reform for woman in these latter
years. and every advance step has made the
way easier for the H-supporting woman,
the path lighter and broader and safer for
her to tread. Women may wear their de-
lightfully cool shirt waists. their short
skirts. their simple and comfortable sailor
hats. and their considerable husbands sons,
brothers and sweethearts encourage and
love and bless them for every added COM
fort bestowed upon themselves.
Then, why in all reason and justice should
women inexorably demand that in their
presence. and because they are ladies, gen.
tlemen must swelter in coats, matter
how sizzling scorching hot the weather.
The demand Is 80 exacting and SO despotic
that 1t should be condemned in daily busi-
ness life by our splendid American women
all over the land. and the capital is a good
place to inaugurate such precedent. Let
1t come soon. SARAH D. LA FETRA.