The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-04-08
POLICEMEN IN SHIRT WAISTS.
The Subject BEFORE the Members OF
the Washington Force.

Now that the Leuten season IS ever AMI
budding nature al. every hand gives warn
ing Of the approach of spring. the
thoughts Of The feminine portion Of the
community naturally revert 10 the question
of proper clothing FOR the hot months
This is 10 be expected. but when It IS
found that The same subject is absorbing
the attention of the bIue-coated guardians
of the peace. the casual observer is apt
TO stop and question this unusual depart
ure from traditions. Men in general are
supposed TO dIsdafn the small talk Of the
sewing-reOm. and when members Of the
police force. who ordinarily speak lightly
of those members of the male sex who de
vote considerable portion OF the day
to their toilet. resort to discuss the fads
and foibles Of dress. the changed condi-
tions are sure 10 invite an explanation.
That the Washington policemen are row
engaged IN the discussion of this momen-
tous question IS q weiI-estabIished fact It
all came about as the result Of he shirt
waist crusade which struck Washington
Ike d cyclone last summer. The patrol
men then looked i0neiugIy at the comfort
able costumes worn by their r')1e fortu-
nate brothers. bat probably never would
have dreamed Of suggesting the adoption
Of the style for the Police Department bur
for a recent publication which Tell mo the
hands of several Of the force. This publ
cation pictured and described the summer
uniform that has been adopted for the Pc
lice OF Camden, y J. The shirt waist was
on the list.
The adoption of TIE shirt waist uni
form in that city was something Of an
accident Last summer. during the eX-
tremeiy hot period, the police suffered so
from exposure to the suns rays that
Mayor Hatch issued an order granting
them permission TO dOff their coats dur
ing the continuance of the spell. The
MAYORS action was hailed with joy by
the men. and in very short time every
policeman in the city had shed his blue
coat and donned fancy shirt The
change proved 50 popular among the Of
hCerS that the matter was called to the
attention Of the police board WIKI the
result that they have adopted regular
shirt waist uniform for the coming sum
mer. They viii Wear ClUe flannel shirts
with brass buttons on the bosom The
shirts VIII be worn with lightweight
trousers Of the same color, dark neck
ties. white helmets. and tan leather belts
This a-siforn, has appealed 20 the police
Of Wash lgtoE as being one that would
add greatly TO their comfort. and they
have been discussing every phase Of the
subject from prices TO style
" hen the matter was brought TO the
attention Of Major Sylvester. the Chief
Of Police he carefully considered II Tor
a time and then announced that he did
not believe that such uniform would be
desirable IN this city. He said that he
had frequently considered the advisable
ity Of adopting some lighter uniform fer
the police than that which IS Tow worn
in summer. but he had failed to find any
clothing that was as well suited TO the
uses Of the policeman in this climate.
Major Sylvester said that his first con-
sideration was always for the health and
comfort Of his men IN such matters but
that he did not believe that coatIess po-
Nceme1 would carry that dignity which
should be always present in q police Of
fcer at the National Capital