Evening star., 1909-09-05
Commissioners Will Not Call
in Summer Sky Pieces.
ALWAYS IN SEASON HERE
Nothing Else in Washington May
Go Unregulated.
RULES FOR ALL OTHER THINGS
Waning Summer Here May, How
ever, Provoke Illegal Application
of Smoke Law, Etc.

There is no legal closed season fol
straw hats in the National Capital. And
what is more, there is to be none.
When recently the mayor of the Windy
city-known TO other than base ball fans
as Chicago-issued his proclamation eX-
tending the open season for the straw lid
until September ID, attention was direct
ed to the situation in Washington. The
subject was further emphasized by the
battleship war hue of headsear worn
who have been wearing out shoe leather
on the Districts sidewalks.
Far be it, however. from any one to hint
that these top pieces require generous ap-
plications of cleansing powder For the
smoke law might be applied. The street
cleaning department has an efficient
superintendent who might make it his
business. The sanitation inspectors also
are eternally persistent in exacting clean
illness in all things.
Yet some hats look as if they were cast
ing flirting glances at rubbish pile. But
that's nobody else's affair now.
Only Thing Unregulated.
Some people have thought that there
might be some regulation or proclamation
or something of the sort regulating the
length of the season for the straw lid.
Washington is regulated in everything
else. from splitting on the street to the
operation of a powerful engine in a ma
chine shop. Time and place for automo-
biles TO emit characteristic scents and
mists of smoke are specified. Until re-
Gently the hours for sornkling lawns
were strictly prescribed.
commissioners
set forth strict rules as to where the
''cock-a-doodle-doo"o of the rooster is al
lowable and as to where it Is banned.
There are also provisions as to where
hens may roam and scratch, and their
perches and cooos must comply strictly
with prescribed rules.
So II might have seemed that the straw
hat offered an opportunity SO far over
looked but a condition which was ripe
for remedy.
But the wearing of the straw lid goes or
unregulated PanamaS are unmolested.
Rains may come Summers may go. But
the straw hat can go on forever-so far as
District enactment will concur on the sub
ject.
There Is absolutely no limitation on the
length of service that straw hat can he
called upon to do-as far as the law will
specify.
To Commissioner West it was pointed
out yesterday that the mayor of Chicago
tember ID. This was special dispensa-
ton. as up to last year the unwritten Law
in the Windy city called for felt hat OF
derby as soon as oysters are in season
Fifteen days of grace were allowed las,
fall because of the unusual warm weather
at the time. The chief magistrate of the
metropolis of the middle west decided tc
allow the extension again this year.
West Offers Another Suggestion.
Commissioner West declared he did no,
expect the Commissioners to issue proc
lamation regarding the time for calling ir
straw lids.
Il think we had better issue a procla
nation requiring every one to wear hel
met with a brass knob on top and a large
plume protruding over the side," remarked
Commissioner West. The Commissioner
did not look so stern as he usually deem.
consistent with the dignity of office wher
he made this bright and novel suggestion
So while the ROSTERS fate hangs in the
balance the straw head top will remair
unmolested.