The Press., 1915-08-18
DRESS OF A SAILOR
It Is Practically the Same All
 Over the World.
THE BEST SUITED UNIFORMS.

Despite Numerous Demands For a
 Change the Old Style Remaius on
 Account of It's Many Good Points.
 The Wide Trousers and Loose Blouse.
 You have wondered, have you not. why the sailor wears bell bottom trousers, neckerchiefs or the loose blouse? There's reason for every part of sailors uniform. explains q Baltimore naval authority.
 Suggestions are continually flowing into the various offices of the navy de partment regarding change in the sailors dress, but Uncle Sam pays lit tie attention to them. He has consid- cred the matter thoroughly and has de- cided that no change for the better could be made.
 The uniform of the United States sailor is practically the same today as it was when the navy was first organ ized. There have been few changes in recent years. the most conspicuous of which is the abolition of the knife lanyard. The knife lanyard is Il white braid that was worn around the sail OTIS neck, on the end of which was fas- tened a knife. This knife was kept in back pocket. The lanyard was part of the uniform characteristic of the sailors for many years back. But now that the sailing vessels are no longer used in warfare the lanyard is rapidly disappearing in all countries. The only form of lanyard used now by the United States is the black silk one, which is worn by the boatswain's s mate. There is no knife on the end. however, but in its stead is tied the boatswain's call. This is silver whis- tie used on board the vessel for signal ing purposes.
 The neckerchief for undress purposes has been done away with to great extent, but 1t is still used in the dress uniform. Then there is the large sailor collar. Both the large collar and the cuffs were abolished on the working blouses some time ago, but recently the collars have been recalled, though they are not as large as in former years.
 The sailors uniform is practically the same throughout the world. But why has each and every nation accepted the same style of dress? The balloon trous- CTS, the flap, the broad collars, the neckerchiefs, the loose blouse and the lanyards have been condemned by some of the officials of the navy de partment for many years, but the old style prevails.
 There are various reasons why the bell bottom trousers were adopted. Have you ever watched sailor at work? Have you ever seen him scrub the boat or wash the decks? This is his daily task. He rolls up his trous- CTS and wades right through the water. And what would he do If he were in cased in the snug, commonplace sort of clothes that landlubbers live in? The bell bottom trousers can be rolled above the knee without the least trou- ble, and this is one reason Uncle Sam has chosen them.
 But there is more important req son, one that involves the sailors life. A man can surely swim more easily without his trousers than he can with them. And this is the way Uncle Sam looks at the matter. The bell bottom trousers are laced on the sides and but toned around the waist. Should a sail or fall overheard or should he be com pelled to swim for his life he unbut- tons the waist and slips out of the trousers without any exertion. What could he do were he wearing the tight fitting trousers of today?
 The loose blouse the sailor wears enables him to move about freely. There is nothing to hinder the move ments of his arms. He can accom- plish far more work with less exertion
 The blouse was formerly on the style of the middy jacket; just slipped on and buttoned in the front. This has been slightly changed, drawing string having been placed around the bottom to secure it.
 Individuals have advocated changes in the sailors uniform for years, some believing that it should correspond to the marines or to the soldiers. Nei- ther the soldier nor the marine has any occasion to soil his clothing. while. on the contrary, the sailor is compelled to wash his uniform very frequently. The soldier or the marine has a lock CT or some other convenient place to keep his suit, but the sailor must store his outfit in white canvas bag which has every appearance of pillow case. If he were wearing the clothing as sug- gested by many he would have daily task pressing his trousers.
 The expansion of the trouser leg at the lower end and the loose blouse therefore are not used merely to con vey to the eye the traditional picture of the sailor, but have been adopted after careful and close observations Baltimore American.