The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-05-28
HATS BURNING ISSUE
Don't lake ssThem Off in EIe-
VdtOf
CRITICISED BY SOME
People From Cucumber VAL
ley Not Judges

Some time ago the American allied it
self with those daring spirits who re-
belled against the absurd custom of TAX
ing off the hat in the elevator. II was
criticised some by those whose capture
in the iungles may be said to be an i'm
portant item of current history. But it has
had the admiring approval of those With
bullying frontal bones and of those who
in their mundane wanderings have been
beyond the limits of Cucumber Valley and
Blackberry Ridge The New York Com
mercial which has the good sense and
the fine courage TO disapprove the foolish
and often dangerous custom of uncovering
the head in the elevator when women
happen to come in it. recites this instance
to show the absurdity of the habit, which
6ouStlcss originated with some yoke who
Imagined himself in a drawing room.
An evening or two since. in one Of the
most -otenJious and exclusive apartment
houses on the Upper Boulevard, two men
entered the elevator AZ the first floor; at
the second landing four women entered;
one r~on promptly removed his hat. the
other kept stoically covered. All six left
tllG elevator II the MN ttthI ana " dlhtu
aIong the hall toward the north wing OF
the house both men with their hats on.
now
Obviously. if their was any difference
Or courtesy or poiiteness involved in the
act Of that man who uncovered. ii was
directed at the elevator itself-the ma
chine-or else at its operator. for he
promptly nat his hat on as soon as he
left the elevator although stin i'm the
presencC of women, Could anything be
more absurd? No man of sense uncovers
when woman meets or passes him in a
hotel office or han, or on the stairs or in
the hall of an apartment house She
might easily mistake his purpose and take
pffense ut the act. And how does a hotel
DR. an apartment house elevator differ in
the matter from its Railways or stairs.
The New York Press defends the Gus
tom but it IS easy TO utterly discredit
ITS opinions and eliminate IL from all con
sideration 10y the coura geous. intellectual
declaration that the press is a Republican
paper and the organ Of plutocrats. The
Washington Post. the pioneer in this cru
sade. doubtless encouraged by the Amer
can'S moral support. thus uses its own
language in expressing our sentiments.
In our opinoin If means nothing cour-
:eous or chivalric. and is more eNtrava-
lance Of manner which appeals only 10
The contemptuous amusement OF sensible
women. Nevertheless the controversy set
IN motion by our innocent comment still
RACES far and wide Here We have an es-
seemed contemporary declaring in rhetoric
aisheveled by emotion that never. never
wiu the polished and hieh-toned gentle
men Of that particular neighoorhood keep
their hats on when woman. lovely woman
enters an elevator i'm which they happen
TO be ridiue Il has gone ont from thou
sand morning glory social clubs 5h7t The
person who breaks the rule Is 20 be re-
garded ever after as "a wretch OF purest
ray serene Young gentlemen in celiuloid
collars and dispensing weird suggestions
OF pomatum uncover with single
thought ON the ether hand. there are be-
sotted Doors WIG cannot see the difference
between a public elevator and any other
pubic carrier-the street car. for example
who hold that a shop or a hotel office
ts A much better and safer arena for the
aisplay ~ this kind 81 politeness than the
elevator and have the cnrontery TO al
lege that ao sensible human being can
deny H. As a matter of fact. unless one
be acquainted with The lady or ladies in
question. the performance savors more Of