The Washington times., 1913-07-26
APPROVE WHISPERS
FOR CAPITAL POLICE
Officials Not to Follow London
With BeardIess Cops, So
They Can Still Grow.

Washington will not follow in the
footsteps of London for a beardless
police force. There are many other mat
ters Of considerable more moment than
whiskers on a bluecoats face, accord
ing to officials Of the local department
Incidentally, Major Sylvester, the Su-
perintendent, and other officials believe
that Washington has a force second to
none in neatness and appearance. and
the question Of whether a man parts
his hair In the middle or elects to wear
a crop Of alfalfa on his chin is alto
gether too personal for official action
Major Sylvester believes that police
man makes q better appearance with
out a full beard, but as there are only
two or three members Of the force who
30 adorn themselves the matter Is
hardly worthy Of agitation. 1t viii be
recalled that when President Taft first
assumed the duties of that office, he
made q rather caustic comment on
what he termed the lack Of military
appearance in the Washington police.
The department took the hint, and 1t
wasn't long before the force had ao-
quired the military appearance-that Is,
20 far as II was possible 70 acquire IT,
Sylvester Is Strict.
Every since he has been head OF the
department Major Sylvester has taken
particular pains and been very strict
about the appearance Of the men on
duty, and the high standard which they
have reached In this respect Is due TO
his untiring efforts.
N is required Of every member Of the
force that his uniform be free from
Fpots and kept in good conoition. NO
LII q
the buttons or badge, and shoes must
be blacked. In fact, the men nave 10 go
through inspection every time they re-
port for duty and any neglect IN their
personal appearance is seen oy tnclI
superior officer. II they are beardless
they must be clean shaven, no two
days growth Of beard is permitted
Of course the men on patrol duty can
not be Beau Brummels Their clothing
cannot of necessity be as free from
wrinkles or their trousers as carefully
creased as a man who works in an Of
fee They are out in all sort OF wealth
er, and can not take a street car and
20 home when II commences to rain or
srow.
Campaign Long Ago.
Twenty years ago there was a CAM
paign in Washington for a beardless
police force. In those days Van Dykes.
fringed-edge chlns, pork chop siders,
and plumbers mustaches were much
more stylish than in these days. In
those days every man had at home
''mustache cup for keeping his whis-
kers cut of his coffee, and when he had
soup for dinner he strained ii through
the facial mattress.
Over in London they think that a
beardless force makes a much neater ap-
pearanca than a whiskered one. which
leads to the conclusion that the
bloomin' boobies in Lunnon. old chap.
are a little slow in catching hold of the
modern idea that II is not altogether
sanitary to hide ones face behind
bush.
As regards mustaches, the police off,
ciaIs here think they are all right.
Major Sylvester himself has one. and he
has no intention Of having II shaved, so
that he can order his subordinates to
put their upper lips under the mower.
Summed up, the officials, while they
prefer not TO be quoted, do not think
the Whlsker problem IN the Washington
Police Department is a serious one; in
fact, the whiskers have practically
eliminated themselves. All Of which
may or may not be due to the advent OF
the safety razor and the modern-day
popularity Of dairy lunch rooms which
do not serve paraphernalia for putting
whiskers aside while the proprietor of
the crop is enjoying . oup Of coffee.