The times., 1901-04-19
The smith shirt Waist.

There is much to admire in the order
| issued by Postmaster General Smith re-
| fcrring to the summer costume OF his
great grey army of letter carriers. II
| reads as follows:
''Shirt Waist-During the heated term post
| masters may permit letter carriers TO wear a
neat shirt waist or loose fitting blouse, instead
| of coat and vest; the to be made of light
grey eharnbray gingham. light grey cheviot or
other light grey washable material; TO be worn
with rundown collar, dark tie, and a neat
belt; all 10 be uniform at each Office"
This ukase reeIs not only with the
most generous humanitarianism, but
with a literary style which no one could
contemplate without admiration. II
shows that the head Of our postal SER
vice is a practical philanthropist. plus
something equally to be admired. And
that something makes US grieve for the
loss the highest journalism sustained
when Mr.. Smith, listening to i'll advice.
abased himself by climbing down from
the exalted editorial tripod of the Phil
adelphia Press and took his present
comparatively humble station behind
the national stamp counter.
A man capable of the nice discriIni-
nation in the color form, and texture Of
shirt waists that he displays in his GER
tainto-be famous uniform order is a
rara avis in terris. There are women
who might be up to his mark, but, we
fear, not many. Observe the artistic
particularly with which he prescribes
the limitations of the new pyjama cos
tune for his active and efficient sub
ordinates, He does not propose that
postmasters shall have the selection of
the special full undress to be worn in
the service during the heated term"
He has no idea of allowing the carriers
IF one city to attempt the outdoing of
those in another, by the adoption of
anything of Kaleidoscope or deafen-
ing character 1t is distinctly under
stood that the official court dress of the
rank and file must be otherwise than
gaudy. Combinations of pink and
green he objects to- and we are sorry to
say that our patriotic public servants
are not to be permitted even to indulge
in shirt waists of their dearly loved
country's colors. When the weather
grows hot, the weary traveller may
journey from Philadelphia to Yuma
the two warmest summer propositions
in the United States-without ever see
ing any official star-spangled banner, or
red, white. and blue shirt waists. On
the contrary, they must conform to the
decree which provides for "a neat shirt
waist or loose fitting blouse, instead of
coat and vest"-waistcoats being con-
sidered improper in the Quaker City
the same TO be made of light grey
chambray gingham, light grey cheviot,
Or other light grey washable material"
Mr.. Smith is punctilious about details.
These concessions TO modern taste
for comfort must be accepted with
rundown collar, dark tie, and a neat
belt; all to be uniform at each office"
Here is where the great journalist
and magazine expounder of purity in
he Cuban postal service shines forth |
It is a pity to hide such talents under
he bushel of that great granite abor- |
ion which fittingly commentaries the |
Cleveland Administration in being the |
worst thing of it's kind ever seen in |,
Mr.. Smith as editor of |
'Godey's Lady's Magazine" or the
Mirror of Fashion" would be in his |
iement. although il might be necessary
o expand the element so that Ii would |
lold him. Mark how smoothly he
lescants upon light grey chambray
,ingham, and meat belts" and how
uminously he admopishes his forces
hat some light grey, washable ma
eriaf is de rigeur, There is not a
page of any great American
unday paper which does not yearn and
avn for him. Why Will he waste his
enius upon the dull and deadening
outline of the Postoffice when such a
right career is open to him? How
appy ii would make his friends TO see
i'm clad in a shirt waist of "Hght grey
hambray gingham," spreading knowl-
dge of the art and science of under
Iothing, and discussing the philosophy
modes and lingerie for the benefit of
n enthusiastic and enraptured female
onstitEencyi We trust that ere long he
lay be led to realize the error of his
avs and, abandoning his present OBJ
cure employment, dazzle an expectant
orld as the most illustrious shirt waist
iitor that ever happened.
Ii Hung Chang is reported to have ad-