The Topeka state journal., 1909-01-09
UNIFORMS FOR AL
City Employees May All Wear
Insignia of Office.
Will Apply to Street Workers
and Inspectors.
NEED OF FUMIGATION.
City Health Department Should
Not Neglect Tuberculosis.
Poor Excuse That 1t Costs Too
Much Is Made.


the city of Topeka-in other words
make the white wings conform with
their name. 1t was pointed out that
the street workers would receive great
protection on this account and they
would be in less danger of being
trampled and mang1ed under horses
and automobiles-their uniform would
proclaim their rights on the streets and
put them in a position for further pro-
lection.
The city officials have enlarged upon
this agitation and today there was a
gathering of some of the officials and
councflmen and the matter was dis
cussed thoroughly. 1t was decided
have the regulation uniform but it
would be be good plan to have all OF
the employees at large in the city under
the sign of their official capacity. The
inspectors and field men in the en-
gineering department, the fumigators,
inspectors and field men of the sani-
tary department, the trimmers, col
lector and repair men of the electric
light department and so on in all the
field departments of the city.
There are many reasons Why such
a plan should be carried out and only
one why it shouldn't be carried out
the one drawback is the cost. Outside
of this it would be a mighty fine plan.
If the city would follow out the plans
in the fire and police departments and
make it necessary for the men them
selves to purchase their uniforms.
Some come to the front with the state
ment that this would not be advisable
on account of the change in the force
of men, It might be mentioned that
the police force undergoeS more
changes in a year than the rest of the
city forces put together and they have
to purchase their own uniforms.
In the State Journal article not long
ago there We're variety of reasons
stated for the uniforming of the white
wings but since the instigation to uni
form the whole force of city employees
the list of favorable reasons has reach
ed such a height that if the matter was
presented to the city council at the
present time it would be but a matter
of time until the new ordinance could
go into effect. The State Journal re-
porter, who explores the city hall wilds,
had four confid Dental talks with four
confidential city officials this morn
ing and they gave out four confidential
interviews-aH on the subject of uni
forms The reason they did not want
to be quoted as giving their ideas on
the uniforrning of the street employees
talk with Gen. J. W. F. Hughes who IS
given all authority in the city council
when it comes to matters Of show"
and exhibition" It is said that Gen.
Hughes has some good ideas On the
kind of uniforms the men should wear
and he has their brass buttons and
tassels flowing in the winds already
But the four confidential men ad-
mitted that they were strongly IN taV-
or of the new uniform idea and they
would stand up for it in the new
council uniform on a city employe
who has considerable field work to do
over the city would be a great advan-
tage to the city. A man is given more
his authority is recognized to
a greater extent, his conduct as city
official is improved and he is made
better worker in every way. For IN
stance, what city employe would have
the nerve to walk in the back door Of
a "blind tiger or climb up the stair
proudly bore the insignia of a trusted
city "official?" Would a city employe
have the nerve to loaf on the streets,
prop his feet UP on the livery barn
match on the corner if he was trim
med up in a f1ashy suit that told the
story of his importance? What would
the people of Topeka say II they
caught uniformed city laborer SIT
ting on the bank of the Kaw with
fishing pole and a cob pipe wasting
the valuable time of the city with
which he is connected? Everyone
knows that nothing Is more disgusting
than combination of cob pipe and
uniform. Tobacco juice would be
great hindrance on windy day and
very few men would risk the splatter-
ing of their uniform for the essence OF
a quiet chew. 1t can be seen that the
tobacco habit the drinking curse, the
Ioafing crime and the undignified ap-
pearance of the city laborers would
be abolished for their own good.
Then there is the lasting effect of
a uniform or some official significance
upon the people as a whole. For in
stance il the plumber inspector or
some of his men would come to your
house and ask for admittance when he
was dressed in greasy torn clothes,
cap pulled over his left ear, big pipe
in his mouth and his face covered with
whiskers-the question of admitting
him would be serious one. But what
housewife would not stand aside and
invite the presence of slick groom
ed man, dressed in official uniform,
standing as straight as a stick and
with his hands at his side. The wine
in the cellar would not be removed in
this case and even the frozen potatoes
could be trusted to the well appear
ing man who wished to search the
house.
1t is not likely that the uniforming
of the city employees will take place
before May. 1t is at this time that the
average man has to change clothing
any way and the city does not want to
work hardship upon the employees.
And again it is not advisable for the
old administration to break into GUS
tom that the new administration is
liable to oppose or find necessary to
maintain 1t Ia the wish of the ma
jority of the councilmen today that
the uniforming take place and most
probably the old council will have the
majority in the new. but the matter
will be taken up officially and dealt
with as hint to the alderman what
are coming" All of the heads of the
departments affected are in favor of
the plan and it should and probably
will pull through.
Several of the cities over the country
are releasing the men in their engi-
neering departments during the winte er
months on account of the lack of work
Other cities are empIoying the men tn