Waterbury Democrat., 1902-06-20
PANAMA HATS THIS YEAR.
Some of Them Run As High As $500
 in Price.

in Price.
 The Panama hat, which enjoyed much vogue last year, will from pres ent indications enjoy greater popular ity this summer. As the demand ex- ceeded the supply of the best class of these hats last year-so much so that it was almost impossible during even the middle of the eeason to secure one without paying double the price asked when they were first placed on the market-dealers have ordered them in large lots and it is improbable that any one desiring them will be taxed the high prices that were prevalent last year.
 The Panama hat may be the popular hats of this season, though on this ac- count many who wore them last year are likely to forsake them. These persons will adopt some other kind of straw, but they are confined to q small favor the wide brim hat with plain and colored bands.
 According to dealers, the Panama hat has come to stay. About two de- cades ago it enjoyed some vogue, but not to the extent of last summer. The young men of twenty years ago ig- nOred them for the reason that they were not blocked in suitable shape. The wearers at that time were mostly middle-aged and elderly men.
 The Panama for the young man which will find much favor is the meg ligee" hat A good and serviceable one may be obtained at price rang ing from $1O to $25. It is made of very pliable straw. and may be formed by the Wearer into any shape desired.
 Though the demand for the Panama it is expected will exceed that of last year. the supply will be greater and the price lower One concern on Broad way has taken orders for nearly 5000 hats, the customers paying from $1O to S25. During the month of January this firm received orders for 2,OOO hats. Deposits were paid and in short time every available inch of space in the shops were taken up with the stor- age of these hats. Many of the young men also are buying their hats on the installment plan.paying a dollar or two each week
 Some Panama hats can be had for as high as $500. One of the leading matters has on display a Panama hat in jar of water to show that it will not disco1or. The high priced hats eeA Y iileioC NY udllNGS OI ECuddOT ITOIu grass obtainable in that country. It requires several months to braid these hats. It can only be done properly while the dew is falling. The work is done with the straw under water, and sometimes. two women are engag- ed in braiding it.
 In one hat on show in q Broadway window there are 2.5OO yards of straw. It required eighteen months to weave it, and two women were working on it during this time, while the dew was falling.
 Panama hats, arranged in different shapes and decorated with simple trimmings: are also to be seen in mil linery stores. Women will. it is ex- pected wear them i'll large numbers this year.
 The Panama hat. when it reaches this country does not look like the ar ticle it is later found to be. They ar rive in bales containing hundreds 'snested" together. The duty is above 5 per cent. which makes the price high in comparison with what is paid for the hats in the producing coun- tries
 limitations of the real Panama are offered at lower prices. They are made of grass grown i'll the West In dies. They retail here at from $2 to $5.-New York Times.