The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-29
MANS HAT IN THE ELEVATOR.
Mans PreponderatinE Sentiment That 1t
Should Stay on His Head.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Si,: Anent this
hat; the elevator controversy want to say
thatI thoroughly agree with Manhattan" and "A
Plain Man" The elevators in business and public
buildings are public convcyances. and to my mind
there Is no more reason for a man to hide bare
headed In drafty elevator car than there Is to nde
In an elevated car In the same manner.
4 short time ago the stcnogrApher girls were
telling us that they were business women" and as
they did not claim a whit more attention or favor
from their employers than was bestowed upon the
male clerks they should receive mans pay for a
mans work, But that was all poppycock. II .
dozen intelligent business men are in an once
building elevator and bordering over business
problems. and pert little stenographer gin OF un
known reputation gets into the car, she expects
every man TO stop on his problem and honor her by
taking OF his hat.
True etiquette Is founded on common sense. and
drawing room manners will never assimilate with
business methods. The sooner the working girl
understands this the better It will DO for her own
welfare. She should be treated with due respect.
but she mustn't expect to ind che''ernelds in bust.
ness blocks OLD BALpY.
NEW YORK May 81.
To THE EDITOR or THE Sus-Sf,: Your corre.
spondent who says that there Is no moro occasion
for man to remove his hat In a public elevator
when ladies" are present than on the noon OF the
building covers this question sensloly.
The gallant who yanks on his lid" on every pre- b.
text Is good deal like the monkey on the hand
organ and about as intelligent. Too often II Is
oflciousness rather than politencss that inspires
these paragons OF elegance and the ladies" in the
case can scarcely be gorned by such attentions.
A lady. by which Is meant we'll bred womanly
woman. invariably receives all Difference due. a
large proportion OF the travelling females. however.
are entitled to little consideration, TOR they add to
their natural unattractiveneSs a sour visAgo and
bad manners, their attitude toward their own seq
being one OF brutal Indifference Five women will
occupy eight seats In q conveyance, leaving others
possibly frall or with children to stand yet they
complain that men are lacking in courtesy.
NEW YORK. May?7 OBsRHvHR.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-.Sfr: I like TO sec
man take OF, his hat In an elevator where there arc
lady passengers. and always do II myself: but
don't like the tone OF the letter OF your correspond
ent who signs himself "one Of the 400" don't
believe he Is one Of the 400 II he Is, extend my
sympathy 10 the 400
COMMERCIAL TRAVELLER.
NEwBuRoH, n. Y. May?7
To THE EDITOR OF THE SUS-Si,: In the matter
OF reno wing your hat elevator because woman
or women may happen TO be present. l have Just
this to say: have observed In the elevators belong
ing to my once building that men who remove
their hats in honor Of pretty stenographers fail to
nay that dubious courtesy TO their own wives and
daughters. This alone knocks the silly custom
into the region Of fads. agree with your CORE
spondent OF this morning who signs himself "A
plain Man" and think Ono OF the 700" Is q fr,t :.
rater among "sssys." IRISH.
NEW YORK, May 81.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-S1r; The mans
hat on the elevator" question throb with interest
Here Is another phase OF the question:
In the apartment house In which live there Is no
separate elevator for the help" employed by the
tenants. The other Sunday afternoon a very ele-
rantly dressed female entered the elevator as was
descending, and !. OF course. at once removed my
hat. As the lady left the elevator on the ground
noor something In her gait struck me as not exactly
In keel ping with her attire. ! asked the hall boy
who she was and he replied that she was Mrs. B-'s
cook.
Now. for my part, am far more ready TO take
my hat on to good cook than to many a society
leader. but the question Is. Is II good form! Can
THE SUN tell me- E.H.S.
NEW YORK. May 81,