The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-05-02
Can't Wear Whlskers, but Must
Near White Vests.

"He cut them off, and he chopped
them, and he broke them off, and Topped
them off, but still his whiskers grew"
From Kansas Carols.
Goodbye to the bewhiskered passen-
ger conductor on the Burlington route.
After the first of May he will be as
scarce as sunstrokes in April. Also
skidoo for the COATES on the brakemans
chin.
Whether from sanitary reasons or
appearance sake the man higher up who
regulates the tidy department of the
big railroad that has made the name
Burlington famous, has issued codicil
to the rule book, that will keep the
satellites and court plaster in circula-
ton, for all time.
The order that heads the hirsute
fringe in on the side track and consigns
the celluloid collar to the discard was
received yesterday at the local offices
and it was noticed that when the num-
erous car hands who honor the local
pay roll perused the cold official looking
ukase they meditatively caressed their
Jaws with the thumb and index finger.
That is all who possessed these diggits.
The men who come in contact with
the public passenger trains must have
clean shaven chins and they must keep
them clean shaven. To comply with
this regulation the order further states
that they must interview their counten-
ance with razor every other day.
While it is not specifically stated that
whiskers of long standing will be view
ed with disfavor, the order is gen.
orally construed that way and a number
of the veterans who have gloried in
their boards for years, are sorrowfully
making preparations to sacrifice them
and undergo the ordeal of identifying
themselves to all their friends.
This much for the tonsorial section
Of the order. There are several other
provisions that must be complied with.
Celluloid and rubber collars, as the
successors to the paper collars of our
fathers will be tabooed. A celIuloid
collar is an economical possession for
a trainman. 1t costs about five cents
and if everybody wore them many of
the laundry workers union would be
out of work. You can wear celluloid
a month by simply scrubbing it awhen-
ever you brush your teeth. One brush
will answer both purposes. A celluloid
collar is usually two sizes too large and
has finish on it like new white hearse.
But it saves money. And the rubber
collar is in the same class, only it is
better fire insurance risk.
The Burlington route says abas the
handy collars. Nothing but three-ply
linen goes now, with domestic finish.
Any man caught wearing one of the
shiny labor saving kind will be repri-
manded. A second offense will mean a
three days lay-off to study up the hab-
erdashery rules.
And then the conductors must wear
white neckties. There is no particular
kind specified, but it is presumed that
the linen variety will answer all pur-
poses. Either white or linen vests for
summer wear are suggested. These
together with polished shoes and a
pleasant smile comprise the require
ments for trainmen keeping in good
standing. Of course the conventional
blue uniform and brass buttons will
continue the rule.
The new order will not greatly effect
the men who run the passenger trains
on the main lines out of Burlington.
They have ever been irreproachable in
dress and demeanor. About the only
persons who will feel it seriously will
be Conductors d. e. Dana and Charley
Drew. Mr.. Dana has a growth of whis-
kers that has been his constant COM
panion for some thirty odd years, and
he is afraid if he parts with them he
will never be able to get on good terms
with his dog again.
The order is more particularly direct
ed to the conductors and brakemen on
the branch runs, who having but scant
opportunities to consult the fashion
plates are liable to permit their trous-
ers to bag at the knees and their boards
to lapse into the scrubbing brush class
Burlington Gazette.
A Narrow Escape.