New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-06

MEN TRIMMED THE HATS
Task to Which They We're Set by
Women of Bedford Park Church.

Nh more NAV the finger Of scorn be pointed at
moor downtrodden man. merely because he is
man and cannot trim hat. BY the combined
efforts Of the members Of the Bedford Park
CONGREGATIONAL Church, at Northumberland first
St and Bainbridge-ave, the stigma of inability
in this particular line of art. which has so long at
tached itself to mankind in general. has been re-
moved The women OF the Bedford Park Church
have been forced to admit that the men can trim
hats II really forced to. and some OF them have
even been gracious enough to admit that some OF
the hats trimmed by the brethren would do nicely
for a rainy day. for Bridget to hang out the
wash I'm.
That man can trim a hat was developed at
recent social in the parlors of the Bedford Park
CONGREGATIONAL Church Of which the Rev. James
w Cool Is the pastor. In the search for some
thing novel I'm the line of entertainment, some one
conceived the idea of a hat trimming contest I'm
tied strictly TO men. the affair arranged by
the members Of the Ladies' Aid Society and the
pastor.
For some time previous to the actual contest the
men members of the congregation had been max
ns ond Of hats gd ene eneI very Simple
matter. just like painting house Get the right
trim ali my wife's hats hereafter
Certainly can trim hat" said another GIVE
me the right shade Of ribbon. a graceful feather
and hat having certain distinctive style and
will turn out piece of headgear any woman will
How do YOU think bright blue feather would
was rather doubtful of his ability.
Are sailor knots much on lace hats7'
asked man who owns n yacht
on the evening fixed for the test Of SKILL the
men we're brought together; those confident and
those by no means confident. To each present.
ed a canvas bag containing hat and material
with which 10 trim It. A needle and thread were
also presented to each one. and all were told 20
find place to sit and get started upon the task
before them.
There were thirty eight men I'm the contest Pa
tently they plodded with needle and thread. evov-
ing spring styles never dreamed OF before. Pieces
OF velvet bits of lace castof feathers and punches
OF well worn flowers formed the stock in trade OF
these masculine milliners Straw hats were made
TO resemble a Western cornfeld, and lace hats to
blossom the proverbal rose. Some OF the felts
were said to resemble Central Park. while others
were lilSened to the waterfront a misty morning
or course. the workers had their troubles. One
the contestants Is said to have figured all over
side OF sheet OF paper in an effort to deter
mine the number Of bows to be got from quarter
of a ward Of ribbon. No account was kept OF the
injuries received from obstinate needles Twenty
minutes allowed for the work At last she
hats were completed In one manner or another. spd
then the milliners obliged to seek EST
the I'm the rooms holding numbers cofstr
spending TO those given them when they recet~A1
their supplies. Fitting the hats to their heads rt
a parade about the room followed. =
Aside from furnishing any amount Of fun the
affair proved beyond all reasonable doubt that men
can trim hats The first prize went 10 r. G. Solt-
man and the second TO A ii. Kinney.