The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-01-10
many OyERCOATS
Numerous Kinds Found at
Funston.
The Soldiers Entertain Many
PeculiaritieS.
BY V. A. LAMBERT.
(From Trench and Camp.)


All present on account of the cold.
When the mercury drops down to %
below, and then continues to stay be-
tween that point and zero, it is the
best tirAe in the world to get out and
get acquainted with the many differ
ent overcoats that are worn by the
soldiers. To the individual an over
coat is an overcoat, but when one gets
around and views them as q whole,
and some were actually found to be
nothing but a hole, it is surprising to
note the various peculiarities which
the men entertain and still have the
nerve to call it coat.
Conservation drifted about to
number of places where there were
throngs of men, where many passed,
workshops and even where men APP
peared in their Sunday clothes, OBJ
serving all the time, with pencil in
hand, the numerous types and the de-
ficiencies in each coat. 1t would be
direct slap in the face to tell a man
that there was something wrong in his
attire, especially out in the open, but
to express the necessary requirement
on the side or give a gentle hint that
would cause him to look his clothing
over is the point which conservation
wants to throw little light upon.
All Uniforms Issued.
The ideal American dressed soldier
is well known by every man who dons
an o. d. Material does not enter into
the subject, as it is taken for granted
that all coats and uniforms are issued.
1t is after the man has been issued
his complete wearing apparel that he
starts on the path which brings or
| should take him nearer the goal of
attaining that simplicity, uniformity
and neatness which met the approval
| of foreign nations, when our boys en-
tered the theater of the worlds great
est war. After a victory in dress has
been achieved there is a general ten
dency to stink back toward careless
| ness. not Intentionally, but because of
a natural reaction. Take the case of
\ a young gallant counting a damsel
Thru their courtship he dresses to
the height of fashion and always APP
pears Ikea model advertisement cut,
| especially in the eyes of his intended.
But after the knot has been tied. his
trophy captured, the husband neglects
the styles of the day, the creases in
his trousers, the dirt on his hat band,
| and the buttons on his clothes, even
when they are dangling by one thread.
1t is not the case of all soldiers but
there are a great many who will find
| that by looking over their sclothing,
especially their overcoats, there is
found that little cleaning and press
ing or a button sewed on that should
be attended to. A door mat is all right
in its place, it is supposed to have mud
wiped off on it but coats-never.
Attracts Much Attention.
Like a horse-drawn vehicle portray
ing a large billboard displaying the
days game, a soldier wearing a long
bianket-lined overcoat sauntered
Ileisurely down the Zone. Before him
no one was interested. but behind. all
those on the walk weye attracted by
this man wearing a coat that was
ripped in the back from the bottom to
the collar. He was unconcerned about
the coat, but it would be safe to say
| with that thirteen below wind whip
ping around the corners, that If it had
been sewed he would have been fifty
per cent warmer. The pride in the
man upon causing the merry ha-ha al
his expense would have been sufficient
to have taken the coat Immediately
to the repair shop.
Soldier On Way Homo.
At the station young chap with a
discharge in his hand was waiting
for the train. His coat was enough
to bring forth a discharge or extra
duty. The sight of it was not becom.
ing and especially at a time when he
was going home. The coat was
spotted with dirt, and the general ap-
pearance of it looked as tho it had
been used as a bed tick. If the mar
had slept on. it for fourteen months
it could not have wrinkled into a more
dilapidated shape. If the man think: