Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-15
POLICE UNIFORMS.
Arguments For and Against the Old
Style Helmets.

II notice the new police regulations pre.
scribe in the uniforms several changes
which will make the men appear to better
advantage" said an army officer to a Star
reporter. "but I observe that the old-style
helmet remains a part of the equipment.
IA well-appearing uniform Is necessary
in any service when authority to control
the actions Of others is given to some few
individuals 1t Is the uniform and not the
man that carries weight, because It repre-
sents the police power or that of the army,
as the case may be. Thus the change which
is being effected in the uniforms for the
army should have been inaugurated long
ago.
THE old-style helmet, however, which has
lasted for SO many years, and which -
patterned after that worn by the boobies
of London, should have long ago given way
to the newer style Of hat with narrow peak,
close-fitting band and bulging crown, after
the less exaggerated style Of automobile
cap and more closely like the headgear
worn by the mounted police Of New York.
These officers are the pride of the me
tropolis, and justly so, for they picked
men OF fine physique, who wear their natty
uniforms like regulars in the army on dress
parade and bestride their splendid mounts
like veteran cavalrymen. But it is the
cap they wear which sets them off to such
fine advantage, made of white canvas IN
summer and of blue cloth in winter.
I'm army circles the helmet is acknowi-
edged to be the most uncomfortable and
the ugliest of headpieces worn by SOL
diers, and they wear them because they
have to. Ultimately they may be relegated
to the oblivion to which they belong, and O
comfortable, up-to-date cap Of waterproofed
material substituted. 1t is the consensus. OF
opinion Of the men who have to wear this
article Of uniform that the cap is the most
comfortable, and since they can now be
waterproofed, which was not the case IN
the civil war, they may be made to afford
proper protection to the head in all seasons.
1t Is the same with substitute for the
police helmet. which l understand has been
put on the back-number list in New York,
and the entire force in the metropolis Will
soon come out in service caps. OF COURSE
once the old helmets in that city are con-
signed to the felt factory for old material,
other cities will fall into line, precisely the
same as the regulation blue uniform of the
metropolitan police has become the stand
ard Of this country.
II understand that objection is made to
the abolition Of the police helmet in some
sections upon the ground that its stiff sur
faces afford protection to the head OF the
oficer in fights with toughs, from thrown
missiles and falling objects. 1 think, how
ever, that this contention is more theoreu-
cal than actual, and If caps were adopted
1t would be wondered why they We're not
before put into use. Certain 1t is that they
will give the police force, individually ana
collectively, more soldierly and command
| ing appearance"
In commenting on the proposition 10 do
| away with the helmet. Maj. Sylvester said:,
I'VE have found the helmet more service
able for the police than the cap, eveH'
though there may be a change in the style
| OF hats in other cities. l would not recon-
mend 1t here. as I consider the views ad-
vanced for those who favor its retention as
a part of the regulation police uniform to
be sound In this climate a helmet is espe-
cially serviceable, and where caps are worn
| a short hood is attached to protect the neck
and shoulders in rainy weather. 1 do not,
consider this good feature, as 1t has a
tendency to interfere with the hearing OF
the officer, and in hot weather these hoods
are very warm. We have found that tho
helmet really protects the wearer's head
from blows and in bad weather makes the
best headpiece and there Is no disposition
to change the style of the police hat in thif
city