davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1922-03-05


an open carriage, but this was ruled out
because at this season Of the year such a
trip might mean pneumonia.
At last somebody made the final decision
that Mary and the King should ride to the
Abbey in the Irish State Coach" This is
known as THE Glass Coach" and has al.
most been forgotten by the British public.
The seat in this coach is very high and
the occupants are we'll in view OF the spec
tators.
The question arose as to whether the
Royal Master of Ceremonies should pre-
scribe the definite form OF dress for the
ladies. I: was finally decided that full eve
ming dress should be the thing. But the
prevalence of the influenza epidemic
brought protests that bare necks, backs
bosoms and arms at this season OF the
year would be dangerous thing for all,
and especially for those just recovering
from a dose Of the flu.
The subject was then reconsidered and
II was decided that the ladies should be
permitted to come in morning costume but
without wraps This decision was greeted
ladies had just acquired fur pieces which
It would break their hearts not to exhibit.
Once again the Committee on Ceremon'.
ais went into session and emerged with
the concession that furs and wraps would
be permitted
But as the hour of the ceremony ap.
proaches all other matters Of dispute have
been eclipsed by the question, How wide
is a PeeressT'
It falls to the duty of the Lord Chamber
lain to attend to the arrangement OF seat
ing wedding guests for the ceremony in the
Abbey The pressure for tickets Of admis'
sion to the wedding is enormous. With the
greatest economy in giving out invitations
and cards of admission to the wedding GER
emony there are still several thousand dis
appointed personages for whom II is simply
impossible to find seats.
Therefore il is not surprising that the
Duke of Atholl, the Lord Chamberlain, went
around with HIS foot rule and measured
every square inch Of available space in the
historic church where a chair could pos
sibly be squeezed In. He started in witt
the rather generous allowance OF eighteen
inches as the width Of the seat, and theu
decided that this allowance could be cut
down bit
The Chamberlain learned that the stand.
ard width of the ordinary chair, as agreed
upon by furniture factories, is sixteen
inches. SO the seating plans we're revised
on the basis OF allowing q sixteen inch
chair for each ticket--and the invitations.
each bearing the chair number, we-' forth.
But hardly had The news OF the sixteen
The Washington times., 1922-03-05

The space which Lord Atholl has arbi.
trarily granted the guests at Princess
Mary's wedding is. of course utterly made
quate," said Mr.. Wolf, the mastermind of
"Joseph's." 81 will not undertake to discuss
the personal discomfort which the ladies
must sufler-it is sufficient to consider
the menace to the gowns worn by the
guests.
Lord Athons statement that he had
tried the seating capacity himself and that
while wearing kits eight yards wide, does
not establish a standard for women. The
kits are plated and lie flat against the
hips, whereas the Spring mode in women's
skirts is fuller about the hips The fullness
is introduced by tiny crinolipe little
bustles If you will, or by full gathers at the
hips and about the waist The gowns
worn will be of SILK. The contact will de-
stroy Their lustre.
The chiffon fullness on one robe meet
ing the metallic embroidery on another, is
more than liable 10 be torn. The gown so
worn will present the crushed look that
makes a gown passe. II is not an over
statement that gowns worn 70 the we'd
ding in this seating arrangement will be
ruined.
ut has been pointed out by one of my
staff who is in England and has provided
robes for many Court occasions" con-
tinued President Wolf, that the guests
will sit very still and will rise and sit
down and use their arms in an automatic
way, precisely as soldiers drilled for pa.
rade. But this, to my. mind, does not les.
sen the evil Of the close seating arrange
ment. II I placed three Of my slenderest
models on a settee SO inches long I should
expect the boutfant frocks they wore to
be crushed beyond hope OF a sale"
A few measurements in public places in
New York reveal the following interesting
statistics:
Single seat in subway car Is inches -..
Seat allowance in broadway car, Is
inches.
Seat allowance in Fifth avenue bus, 1914
inches.
House, 20 to % in hes
Individual chairs in boxes ~ Metropolitan
Opera House ~ inches tn So are loose,
movable chahsi ..
Whatever explanations ot Joy and APP
probation the HeSresses may nave to offer
about the bride bridegroom and king dur
ing the great spectacle 10 Westminster Abb
hey al p !ncess Mary's wedding there will
probably ne no pleasant remarks made about
Lord Atholl which, he will be- glad to re-
member In after years as his mind recalls
this memorable day.
The Washington times., 1922-03-05

things the fat Duchesses can do about 1t
One is to stay away from the wedding,
which is unthinkable. The other is to
train down to the 16.inch diameter, but
this would ALLEVIATE all of her family by
her Ill temper. for nobody can go through
the misery necessary to great and immedi
ate reduction Of weight without insuffer
able irritability."
At this moment May Twins husband in.
terrupted with facetious remark, and the
amiable actress continued:
Yes, there is still third alternative,
which my husband suggests-to use fur.
niture clamp. 1t may be possible to apply
these clamps, which they use to hold bu
reaus and beds together tightly while the
glue is hardening. Furniture clamps, made
of soft wood, might be fitted to the hips
and set up with a monkey-wrench morning
and evening until gradually the spreading
muscles were brought within the required
l6 inches and then held there the way
book ends hold a row OF books"
At this point May Irwin's husband added
The Washington times., 1922-03-05
Lord Chamberlain.

another suggestion and the actress acknowl-
edged it with a nod and continued:
Eyes, and as my husband suggests, the
Peeresses might be slid into their seats
with large shoehorn. This matter opens
up the whole subject of economic efficiency
in theatre seating. II suggests that the
seating capacity Of our playhouses might
be more economically arranged. Orchestra
seats average considerably more than 16
was cut 1own to Is inches, there would be
quite lot more to be sold.
Carrying out this idea Of rearranging
the seating arrangement of our theatres,
it might be well } provide for a row or two
of the extra.wide 22.inch seats and sell
these to large people at a little advance in
price over the regular standard 16-incn
chair. Ushers might be provided with
large shoehorns, and for small tip would
help slip large ladies into the small seats,
provided they would rather save paying
the extra price of the 22-inch chairs and
put up with the discomfort of the confine-
ment for the evening in the lower priced
l6-inch chairs.
Miss Marilynn Miller is built on quite
different plan from Miss Irwin.
II don't see how it could be DONE" said
Marilynn Miller. Personally, could be
accommodated in a 15.inch space. But
even my figure requires for full comfort
and opportunity to shift position a chair
of even more than 16 inches. In fact, the
narrowest chair at my home is 1871 inches
wide. would consider anything smaller
than this a torture seat"
Mary Garden, in the midst Of her busy
hours as managing director Of the Chicago
Grand Opera Company, found time to make
these interesting comments:
81 could get on comfortably on 16-inch
chair. A woman has no business to re-
quire a larger one. No woman need to
be built ;or cargo instead Of speed. II she
permits herself to take on such proportions
she is lazy and deserves to be uncomfort
able at Princess Mary's wedding. When
am at Monte Carlo I swim a mile out from
shore every day in order to keep in con-
dition."
Mr. Milton Wolf president of "Joseph's,"
the wellknown Fifth avenue dressmaking
establishment, New York president OF the
Coutourieres Association, vice-president OF
the Retail Millinery Association and presi.
dent Of the American Association OF Garment
Makers, qualities very well as a person
who might speak with authority as to the
disastrous effect upon women's clothes
Of squeezing Is to 20 inch diameters into
16.inch spaces.
The Washington times., 1922-03-05
Miss Marilynn Miller, Who, If She
Were British Peeress, Would
Be Able to Seat Herself in a
Narrow 15-Inch Chair.
LONDON. Feb. "a, 1922.

LONDON, FeD. "a, l92Z
K TEXT Tuesday the great event Of the
N hour, the marriage of Princess Mary
and Viscount Lascelles, will focus
all eyes on old Westminster Abbey, where
the wedding ceremony viii; take place. So
it happens that the overwhelming question
of the moment before the British public,
How wide is a Peeress?" will have been
settled before this article finds itself in
print in America
or course there have been a thousand
and one little and big problems. perplexi.
ties, dilemmas and annoyances which have
arisen in connection with all the endless
pomp and ceremony which have surrounded
the wedding of the Kings daughter to the
rich. though not very young, bridegroom
Aside from the burning question OF rank,
prestige and neutrality-suspicious. tan.
giles OF precedence Of foreign royalty AMI
Diplomatic representatives, there have
been a number Of curious problems OF In
tense public interest.
For several days a controversy ragged as
to lust what kind Of conveyance the
bride should ride in on her way through
the thronged streets of Westminster Abbey
The modern enclosed limousine was
nromptly barred out as not savoring of the
ancient customs OF the past So II was
decided to use one OF the old royal coacneN'
mi objection was soon found to this
because the crowds which would line inc
streets would not have chance to see The
The Washington times., 1922-03-05

to each passenger exact
ly sixteen inches On
the underground travel.
ers get nineteen inches.
Chairs at the theatre
average about twenty in
ches. The Kings Coun.
cillors have twenty.four
and a half inches
or course, the dress
makers are in a state Of
mind. Thousands Of
magnificent gowns have
been especially made for
the occasion and the
materials and artistic
effect will be ruined by
packing the great ladies
like herrings in a box.
Furthermore, the de-
cision that the ladies'
The Washington times., 1922-03-05

might wear wraps and furs on account OF
the season of the year is now rendered
difficult because it will be extremely un
comfortable to add to the squeezed cond'
lions by wearing furs.
THE foregoing article from the London
correspondent was shown to few
interesting American women as
matter of curiosity, to'see what they would
say about IT,
Miss May Irwin, to whom nature has
been generous in its gifts OF ample physical
proportions, read II and laid with a merry
smile:
Are you trying to flatter me? I have
no secrets from the press. II you must
know will tell you that nothing narrower
than 20-inch chair will accommodate mt,
Does that put me- in the Peeress Class.
did hear you say?
THAT Lord chamberlain" she continue !,
Ought 10 he sentenced for life to sit on
char IL inches wide. There are only two
The Washington times., 1922-03-05

inch allowance been made public when a
storm Of protest from the women Of fashion
and nobility began to descend upon the I'M
happy head Of Lord Athol How could
ladies Of the aristocracy squeeze their
ample forms side by side into any sixteen
inches of confinement? they asked him,
Thus the question, How wide is a Peer.
ess?" got into the newspapers and con-
siderable statistical data was accumulated
by the enterprising London reporters.
One newspaper has sent out reporters
to measure the space allotted for seats in
the public vehicles and other places. One
type of bus, the smallest in London, allots
The Washington times., 1922-03-05

Chamberlain Used the Standard Chair for
Seating the Wedding Princess May Great Marriage Cere-
Abbey But the Discovery That the Generously
Averaged 10 Inches Diameter Would Allow
the Seating of Only Twenty-Five Ladies to
Every Row of Twenty-four Chairs-and
v Three Invited Peeresses
Squeeze Into a Margin of Three
49,. Inches in the Last Remaining Chair
Evening star., 1922-01-26
IMPROVED
RETIREMENT LAW
Conference Today in Sena.
tor SterIing's Office Con-
siders Plans.

Proposals for improving and de-
veloping the civil service retirement
benefits for superannuated govern
ment employees were considered at an
important conference in Senator
StePling's ONCE today. Attending the
conference were Senator Sterling.
Chairman Lehlbach of the House COM
mittee on retirement from the civil
service. John 8. Beach, in charge Of
the retirement division in the United
States pension office, the three actu-
aries who have worked on the re-
tirement fund and two members of
the Civil Service Commission.
One Of the most important subjects
discussed was the need for more COM
plete service records on all govern
ment employees, to be kept probably by
the Civil Service Commission as the
most logical custodian.
The conference discussed the cost,
both present and prospective, Of the
retirement system. The report was en-
larged upon and certain features dis
cussed at length. Plans for future
financing were given very serious
consideration.
Another topic that was discussed at
length was that Of additional bene-
fits that are being sought by certain
classes of those retired under the
act. Following the conference those
who had participated said that no de-
cision had been reached on any one
of the many matters discussed.
Evening star., 1922-01-26
GAS HEATER USERS
WARNED TO SAFETY
Woman's Death Brings Ad.
vice to Buy Those With
Flame Protected.

Fire Chief George Watson today ad-
vised the people Of Washington to
buy gas heaters in which the flame
is SO protected that it will not easily
come in contact with wearing ap-
parel. He was prompted to make the
appeal by the death of Mrs Sarah c.
Cross, sixth-one, of 1859 E street
southeast, who was fatally burned
yesterday when her dress caught fire
from a gas heater. ..
The fire chief also took occasion
to warn users of gas heaters of the
danger of rubber tubing. Metal
covered tubing is not only safer, but
more enduring, he said.
Commissioner Oyster, who super
vises the police and fire departments.
expressed the opinion that casualties
from gas heaters would be greatly
reduced by an educational campaign
to instruct the public in the danger
Of getting too close to such heaters.
The Commissioner said he would
confer with Chief Watson to deter
mine how the fire, department might
cooperate in preventing tragedies
SON said he believed all gas heaters
should be made in such a manner
that it would be difficult for per-
sons clothing to come in contact
with the flames.
Records Of the fire department show
that during 1921 many fires were
caused by small oil stoves" having
been placed too close to beds. cur
tains and partitions. This is a source
Of are which could be prevented by
greater care on the part of the pub
lie, department officials believe.
Evening star., 1922-01-26

2 Of the act of March 3. 1888 (22 Stat,
47O), and 80 per cent thereof charged
to the revenues Of the District of
Columbia and so per cent thereof
charged to the amount appropriated
for the expenses of the District from
the moneys of the United States. and
the money SO paid should be ac-
counted for accordingly"
December is, 1914, the joint COM
mittee noted further, the controller
rendered another opinion on the same
matter adhering to and reaffirming
his previous decision.
The Connittee's Conciusion.
The joint fiscal committee conclud-
ed its report on this subject with the
following language:
at II our opinioa that the original In
tent, the understanding Of memiers Of
Congress, the qnvaryinE practice Of the
years, the provisions Of the various
laws Of appropriation, the law den-
nitely Axing the respective appOrtiOn-
ment OF payment, and, above all, the
general government the holders of
the bonds, and the District of Coluna-
bia, lead certainly to the conclusion
that the interest ON the funded debt
be continued to be paid, 50 per cent
from the revenues Of the District of
Columbia and 80 per cent BY appro-
pFiati0n from th0 moneys Of, the
United Statessn
Evening star., 1922-01-26

ton out Of the revenues Of the United
IS. By the organic act Of June ii.
1878, the portion to be provided by
taxation on the property and privi-
leges In the District was declared to
be SO per cent and the portion to be
apportioned out Of the funds Of the
United States so per cent, and that
has ever since remained and now Is
the law.
u. The liability Of the United States
to the holders OF the 3.65 bonds is,
therefore, that Of q guarantor that
one half Of the principal and inter-
est Of these bonds will be paid out
of the revenues Of the District de-
rived from taxation on the property
and privileges in the District. and
that Of q prumisor that It will pro-
vide for the payment Of the other
half by appropriations out OF the
Treasury Of the United States.
II have, therefore, to advise you that
under the act making appropria-
tions to provide for the expenses OF
the government Of the District Of
Columbia for the fiscal year ending
June so, 1914. and for other purposes
(37 Stat. $3.50. payment to be made
during said year Of interest on and
sinking fund for the payment Of the
funded debt in question should be
made within the limits Of the amount
appropriated for said purpose with
moneys withdrawn from the Treas
ury OF the United States by the
treasurer in accordance with. section
Evening star., 1922-01-26
FARMERS WORK ON
METHODS OF RELIEF
Pinchot in Plea for Nations
Forests-BaII Sees Need of
Greater Food Supply.

Proposals to take the United States
forest service out Of the Department
OF Agriculture were scored by Clifford
Pinchot Of Pennsylvania. in an ad-
dress at today's session of the ma
tional agricultural conference at the
New Willard Hotel
Such proposals. Mr.. Pinchot said,
are proposals ito check the progress
Of forest preservation in America -
and are hostile to the interest of the
farmers of the country. His state
ment was roundly applauded by the
conference.
Utilization of scientific research in
production of q sound agricultural
policy was considered generally by
the conference today, set addresses
concluding the formal program. the
remaining portion Of the conference
to be given over to committee reports
ana their consideration.
Pinchot Urges New Law.
!. Mr.. Pinchot, prasenting the need
for national forestry policy. drew
applause when he told the delegates
''thsse is a sfoup of men up here on
the hill. most Of them not farmers,
who have earned the everlastipe
gratitude Of every farmer in the United
States for what they have done for
them"
With five-sixths of the virgin timber
OF the United States gone; I'VE are
replacing by growth only one fourth
OF what we cut" Mr.. Pinchot told the
conference.
when a house is on fire. he said,
the first thing is to stop the Are.
Replanting, fire prevention, and the
saving of what timber lands still
remain on the public domain and the
Indian reservations are each of great
Importance, but the first thing is to
put an end to forest devastation"
Mr.. Pinchot advocated a natfona,
forestry law. to become effective at
once. If the 460.00O,000 acres of tim
berland remaining produced fifty
cubic feet per acre per year, they
could almost meet the present needs
he pointed out, adding that only fif-
teen cubic feet per acre was now pro-
duced.
The need Of greater food supply for
an increasing population was out
lined for the delegates by DR.. E, D,
CONTINUED on Page 2, Column II
Evening star., 1922-01-26
Today's News In Brief

Tinted States not to participate in
Genoa parley, officials indicate.
Page !
Senate probe asked Of alleged combine
oppssing lease Of Muscle Shoals.
Page 1
Farmers study new relief measures.
Page 1
Users Of gas heaters warned to buy
those with flame protected. Page 1
House appropriations committee lop-
ned IS per cent Off original request
for District Of Columbia streets.
Page
Extra tax on tobacco to raise funds
for soldier bonus is considered pos
sible. rage
Clash of state VS.. church looms in
election of Pope. Page 3
Arms conference here arouses. new
spirit in China. -. Page 8
Mrs. Roster asks forgiveness at bier
of slain husband. Page I
Rail union heads seek to form labor
coalition. Page 4
system of parks from Washington to
Baltimore Is urged. Page Is
Less than IS per cent of white people
in District of Columbia born here.
Cox, at jackson day banquet, assails
Harding policies. Page l8
Mother OF girl defends Rickard In as
sault case. Page 10
Evening star., 1922-01-26
POL|CESEEPUzzLE
IN DISTRICT BILL

Police Court officials were puzzled
today over proviso written into the
new District appropriation bill as re-
ported in the House Tuesday.
After appropriating $4,000 for the
compensation of Jurors in Police
Court. the bill reads: !,
Provided. that none of the money
appropriated in this act shall be avail
able for the payment OF jurors fees
unless the actual cost of the trial inrv
pc taxed as part OF the costs, ana
judgment rendered therefor. To hs
paid by the unsuccessful litieant,
provided, further, that no person. in
Geiaglt ~, r,n.iit OF payment thereof. shall be
The language Of the proviso would
jury trial would have to nav for the
jury in event of conviction.
one Police Court official expressed
tne belief that such a course wouId
De unconstitutional.
This Is one of many nau
str1ctions which appear in the an
preparation bill as it now stands :.
Prohibits Ash Collection.
Another clause in the h;u ~.
hibits the Commissioner from col
tecting ashes or miscellaneous refuse
from apartment houses or iarpe
boarding houses. AT present tSe
District collects--this waste from
small apartment houses, but not from
large ones
Another 'proviso in the school an.
preparations would prohibit the Com :
missioners from breaking up the
work on q building into several con-
tracts. 1t reads:
Provided, That none of the money
appropriated by this act shall be nais,
or obligated toward the construction
Of or addition to any building. the
whole and entire CONSTRUCTION at
which shall mot have been awarded
In one or a single contract to the
lowest bidder complying with ali the
legal requirements as to a deposit of
money or the execution OF q bond or
both for the faithful performances of
the contract
This restriction, however, would not
apply to contracts already awarded.
ant. therefore. viii aot INT, are
with work on the new Eastern Hi9h
School. which was not let entirely in
one contract. The foundation Of the
Eastern High School was laid by
George Hyman and the superstruc-
ture has been awarded to another
contractor
Evening star., 1922-01-26
GOV. RELY GREETED
BY CHEERING THOUSANDS
Unbounded Enthusiasm Prevails
When New Executive Arrives
at San Juan.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
SAN JUAN, January 26.-Gov. E.
Mont Reilly, upon his arrival from New
York at IL o'clock last night, was
greeted by crowd of many thousand
Porto Ricans, who had stood patiently
throughout the evening awaiting his
arrival.
As the governor stepped to the exit
of the pier to enter his automobile,
in which his family was waiting, the
crowd swept through the police guard
and swarmed about the governor. Be-
fore the police could regain control
of the crowd it had started on foot
to the governors palace. half a mile
away, with Gov. Reilly in the center
Of the moving mass. The throng was
so great that it required forty-five
minutes to reach the palace. Upon
arrival there the governor made a
brief midnight address, in which he
thanked the people for the enthusiastic
welcome.