Evening journal., 1908-05-14
SIEGE OF THE
SIX BIG HATS
We're Attacked by the Six
Men Who Got Behind
Them
HIS WIFE WON THE FIGHT

WASHINGTON. May 1.-THE i'm
mense hats worn by women this
spring have developed a sure enough
grievance in the midriffs of Washing
ton baseball fans.
There is not much Of a slope to the
tiers Of grandstand seats at the Wash
ington bah park. The rise is so gradual
that the male fan who draws a grond
stand seat behind one or two Of the
enormous feminine brain weights Of
this TRANCE millinery season has little
chance to watch the game.
Occasionally. though. the women with
the big hats at the ball games are
treated to demonstrations on the part
Of the sufferers seated behind them.
At a game last week six young wo-
men. all Of them nice looking and well
groomed, sat together in the third row
right in the middle of the grand stand.
Gigantic is the only word whereby the
hats they wore may be described.
The six men sitting behind these six
young women had no more chance TO
see the game than they had of seeing
the activities on a diamond a hundred
miles away And they saw what they
were up against as soon as they took
their seats a few moments before the
game began. and they exchanged dis
appointed and scrrowful glances with
each otenr.
Three of these men behind the hats
were yOungish Representatives i'm Con-
gress The other three were depart
ment clerks. one of the Representa-
tives Sas the first of the six to act.
He is a Georgian. and a man Of un-
usually polite manners. The mega
phone man was announcing the bat
teries and the players were taking
their places. VIII IN he leaned over and
addressed the young woman directly
in front Of him.
Miss. if you please" he said to her,
removing his hat and waiting for her
to turn about.
She turned about and stared at him
with great difficulty. Tne head carry
ing one of those hats is not to be
moved upon its pivot without due de-
she handed uD to the Representative
was strong, and he flushed guiltiy
But he went ahead.
Miss" he said in a very low tone
and very politely, you will pardon me.
I hope. for addressing you in this in
formal manner The hat that you
are wearing. if you will permit 10 say
so, is most beautiful and becoming.
But it entirely obstructs my view of
the game about to begin l feel that
I am selfish and inconsiderate in ask
ing you to remove IT, But the day
as you know, is extremely warm and
therefore there is no danger of your
catching cold. Otherwise I certainly
should not ask you to remove your
hat"
Then one of the departmental clerks.
the end man Of the line. concluded
that perhaps it was up to him and
that he would take a chance. SO he
learned over to the young woman in
front Of him, and COUGHING his phrases
in the same polite style employed by
the Representative, requested her to
remove her hat. He too was rewarded
for his civility by a cool glance OF
defiance, and it was his turn to look
fustered and cheap
Then all six of the men glanced at
each other with sheepish grins and
leaned back in their seats and gazed
at the rafters of the grand stand Just
as If there was no game of ball in
progress out on the diamond which
they could not see for the barricade
of hats
The second half of the second inning
duet baufrvFros xrrFov, rnrcfafnanf
official of the Treasury Department
entered one of the boxes directly in
front Of the six girls with his hand
some wife. His wife was waring one
of the enormous hats and she took a
chair in front of the box.
Glancing back she preceived that her
husband. the official, was lodging
around so as to get a glimpse Of the
proceedings around her hat. Promptly
she smiled understandingly and grab
bed at her hatpins and removed the
giant hat and placed it in her lap
The sympathetic crowd of fans back
of the six oppressed ones saw the
move. They all jumped to their feet
at once. at least two hundred of them
wheel Hip-eel Three big ones and
a tiger for herl" they yelled, and the
three cheers and the tiger were given
and the officials wife understood and
| blushed and glanced back merrily al
the cheering men. and the official
waved his hand good naJuredly at the
crowd. as much as to say that he was
mighty proud of possessing a wife
with some sense.
Then, and then only. the six young
women with the hats glanced ruefullS
at each other and caved. Their hands
travelled to their hatpins and the hats
} came Off
Thanks, Miranda! Come again.'
sang the crowd, not unmelodiously, and
! then the six men sat up and took no
tice of the game and peace broodef
upon the scene and the Washington
ians sat it through and saw the Wash
ington club walloped to a totterin;
standstill, as usual.