Putnam patriot., 1920-04-23
WEAR OVERAI.LS"
NOT POPULAR
Only Four Suits Sold By Local
Dealers and They Have
Disappeared
Movement Reached Putnam Monday,
George E. Shaw and Charles
Z. Searls Don Blue Denim

The wear overalls' movement
started in Congress Saturday by d
southern Democratic senator. reached
Putnam, via Canada, on Tuesday,
Among the first to don the blue denim
were two of our oldest citizens, Geo,
E. Shaw, for many years in the jew
elry business here, and States Attor-
ney Charles f. Searls, dean of the
Windham county bar and past presi-
dent of the State Bar Association.
These two gentlemen purchased new
suits at four dollars per pants and
jumper, and Immediately become the
most talked of men in the city. They
were in the spot light all the after
noon One other man, over behind a
restaurant counter. wore suit and so
did another citizen and state officer,
but only for few minutes to make
good "dare" he took. The other
three stood by their decision all day,
but now there has been falling off in
loyalty to the club and membership
has decreased rather than increased,
denoting that overall clubs are not
popular here.
When Patriot representative got
"tip" that the states attorney was
not wearing his neatly tailored wors-
ted suit, visit to the officials Office
proved it to be fact. In the largest
suit of blue denim in town, the genial
L G
only that he was perusing law book
that identified him from the janitor of
the building, or would have if the
building boosted janitor.
When asked if it was true. he said,
yea, verify, tits true " Mr.. Searls
said he had read of the movement and
had been giving it Some thought and
also thought that it might create just
a little fun" although the matter,
which suggested such movement,
was serious enough. II don't know
what my wife will say" said the
states attorney with a twinkle, when
she comes for me, but anyway | am
going to wear this suit for few
days"
Many people do not favor such a
movement as being one that will bring
down the price of clothing, feeling
that the real result viii be to put up
the price of overalls so that the work
ing man, who really has to have Them,
will have to pay more.
The overall crusade has crossed the
borders into Canada, but in view of
the fact that rs cent overalls jumped
to $2.26 in Toronto, the "Old Clothes
League" is proving more popular than
the Overalls Club, as means of COM
batting the high price of clothing.
In Burlington, VT, Monday, the
mayor of the city was the first official
to join the movement. Some of the
students at the University of Vermont
are wearing blue denim.
At Orient Heights, Mass, after the
pastor of the Methodist church APP
peared in the pulpit wearing overalis,
more than 200 of the congregation
signed the overall pledge"
At Medford the Rev. Rollin 5.
futile, clad in white denim overalls,
preached his first sermon as pastor OF
the Hillside Methodist Episcopal
church, and began organizing an over
aiis and old clothes club.
The movement has spread from one
end of the country to the other with
a greater or less degree of success.
What the effect will be in accomplish
ing the desired end remains to be
seen, but most people seem to think
that the movement will pass on as
temporary fad.