The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-02-22

HARTFORD, Conn, Feb. 22--The Ma
tional Wardrobe System, which proposed
TO add to the appearance OF the men OF
Hartford by keeping their clothing in re-
pair, has changed hands and the new
owner OF the system" is Just now fgur-
ing where he can make a profit in doing
work for nothing Incidentally, large
number Of well-known men are making
vigorous comments on their paying for
something they had not seen. A number
CT those who listened to the plans out
lined By the promoters Of the scheme
would like 10 see them and demand some
explanation.
Universal CIOthes-PressinE.
It was in December last that two men
known as Stoddard and Oskoby came to
Hartford from New York city and be-
gan to canvass for patrons Of a uni
versal clothes-pressing system They
secured quarters in the Wayerly at 40.
721 Main Street and then proceeded 10
visit the business and professional men
Of the city.
The men Of Hartford have always been
considered very well dressed By those
n4o NDAAAS AEAt nun DAAE4 NAAANG- anE
advantages offered by the rev system
were such as TO lead the men TO believe
that they could add even more to their
personal appearance.
Creases in trousers are still considered
the proper thing, while buttons of Of coats
or waistcoats Is something not permissible
Ia good society.
To Make Creases Perpetual.
The National Wardrobe System propos-
ed 20 keep a perpetual crease in trousers,
see that buttons were sewed on and, II the
owner Of the clothing had inadvertently
got SPOT on the same, this was &c be
removed
or course this could not be done for char
ity's sweet sake, consideration was nee
essary, and Il is this consideration which
Is bOthering both the present owner OF
the plant and those VINO patronize it,
For sI3 Year.
The schedule Of rates as offered in the
contracts provided for all sorts OF appar-
ent contingencies. For the sum OF $l3 a
year a man could have one suit Of cloth
ing taken care Of each week. His contract
called for him TO pay % down and the bal
ance in monthly installments
Re was supposed 70 get with this a suit
case. on which his initials were 20 be
painted. II the man paid SIS he could have
an extra pair Of trousers pressed each
week
For the sum Of $25 he received the IN
limited service. This unlimited service
meant that he could send d carload Of
clothing every week 70 the System" and
every piece would be properly taken care
Of In fact. this service would be all
that would be necessary for one Of the
Kings Of the Dudes" who figured so
prominently in New York a few years
ago.
The contracts said nothing about put
ting patches on clothing. because u was
supposed that men who wanted creases
never had patches.
The First Blow.
The first awakening the patrons OF the
new concern had was when their dress
suit case" came. This proved 10 be a
heavy pastebOard boz plastered over with
an advertisement Of the system" and
the name Of the owner written on it with
ink
From all accounts the first few weeks
Of the service were a great success.
similar service has proved a great con
Venience In other cities. Everything
moved along smoothly until the middle
Of January. when some Of the patrons be-
gan 20 withdraw. claiming they had not
received satisfaction. II was after this
that the change In management came
about.
Sale of the System
The New York men had brought W. H.
CullOm. Of Providence. to manage their
business. and he was looking after IL the
best he could incidentally the New York
men had organized two other similar
concerns, one IN Bridgeport and the other
In New Haven They managed 10 sell
these two branches and then proposed 70