The Washington times., 1921-12-11

hui IAl U y O0MNo
wardrobes soon saw the advantages
Of that particular line of art and
went to 1t.
About four years ago the man.
ayers found themselves up against a
tough situation. The beautiful
young things who make r street IA
nous were stealing their thunder.
What man was going to be sucker
enough to pay to come In and see q
damsel strutting around in pink
fleshings when he could stand down
by the Postoffice and gaze at some
genuine works Of art. A confer
ence was held and it was decided
that the ladies of the chorus were
wearing too many clothes. BY ris-
ing vote OF ninety-four to none, II
was concluded that nothing but a
piece of ribbon should be worn, by
the ladies. above the waist line.
The result was most gratifying
for a time. The crowds came and ex-
pressed their approval of everything
but the piece Of ribbon. Then again
the demure young lady in civil life
proved that she can adapt herself to
any occasion or fashion. She swiped
the ribbon idea outright. Once more
the manager tore his hair. until
some mighty genius among them
thought of Gertrude Hoffman and
Isadore Duncan. II one young WON
an could appear on the stage with
out the formaiity of clothes why
couldn't a bunch OF women do the
same thing. Fountain pens and pen
cils were brought into play. Book.
keepers and auditors were called
into conference. and when in
formed Of the enormous sums of
money that could be saved each
year by doing away with costumes
there was a wild yell Of Joy, and it
was decided that Adam and Eve
were the only people that ever had
any sense about clothes, anyway.
TIGHTS ARE DISCARDED.
The public was educated to the
new order Of things gradually. At
first, perhaps, the ladies of the Choir.
us would appear wearing knee
tights and short socks which left a
dimpled and delightful section Of ma
lures own creation there before you
to be admired. Then a little later
on the socks were discarded az being
something that belonged to q dead
generation. Then came the most
daring move Of all. Tights became
dish rags and chorus girls all over
the country began buying cough
medicines.
II you have attended any Of the
modern musical comedies here lately,
drop this newspaper, lean back in
your chair. close your eyes and
think about the costumes-or rather
lack of costumes-you saw. Then
pick up your paper and look down
at the quaint costumes once worn
by the idol Of the theater-going pub
lie of her day. talented Maggie
Mitchell. Close your eyes again. Do
you remember what the leading lady
wore last week. No. because she
did not wear anything. Look at the
picture Of Lolita giving an imitation
OF Joe Cannon and his cigar. II
Lolita appeared before you in that
costume today would you flee from
the theater in dismay? You might
flee, but not because you were
shocked. but because you couldn't
stand for such modesty.
The female form just as nature
gave 1t to us in her best specimans.
is now handed out to our vision
nightly at prices ranging from fifty.
cents to three dollars. For the last
hohiVa gum you Suh Sit thc
row and give nature a close study
without straining your eyes. For
a half dollar you can get a seat in
the gallery, and IL you want to take
a chance on breaking your neck.
you can lean far out and make sure
that the management Of the produo-
ton is not putting any thing Over
on you.
With all Of his success the man.
ager is worried. No censor ever both
ers him, though that old regulation
about drapery from the neck to two
inches below the knees still exists.
1t can't be inforced now. because II
It was a large number Of Washing
ton women would be paying fines.
1t is these same women who have
got the managers worried You
can never guess what they will do
next. Already they have displayed
their dimpled knees In public and
1t behooves the producer to be ever
on the alert and to keep one stso