Life — February 8, 1912 — page 17: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

‘LEE * Excitement Continues Unabated New Era of Fashion Reform Inaugurated in Washington Meets with Disapproval of Army and Navy—King George’s Request Refused XCITEMENT at Washington con- tinues at fever heat. Our costumes for Government offi cials, no matter in what station they may be, have created consternation among all classes of citizens. This | morning several admirals threatened to resign because their pre- rogatives had been encroached upon. There was a riot to-day in the Army and Navy Club, caused by the en- trance of a Cabinet officer in full re- galia. We have just arranged to take a kinemacolor picture of the Senate in full session, showing the costumes of all the Senators, The Honorable Champ Clark has been spending the last four days in our establishment, getting a complete set of purple plush speaking clothes, ¢s- pecially designed to address the House. Pierpont Morgan has refused all overtures. He declares that he will continue to dress in the clothes worn by Thomas Jefferson, and direct the Government in the same simple and old-fashioned ways to which he has al- ways been accustomed. He has been threatened with ostracism by all the members of the Foreign Legation. Mr. Wickersham’s stump speaking costume is a dream. He has had it copyrighted, and any infringement will be followed by the full penalty im- posed by law. Mr. Frank Hitchcock of the Post- Office Department was jubilant this morning over his complete new official uniform, to be used in repelling people who call at his office for the purpose of persuading him to introduce a par- cels post. It is said that the dignity of Mr. Hitchcock’s appearance has been so much enhanced that the presi- dents of the express companies are now willing to eat out of his hand. Owing to the great strain placed upon our departments and upon our special artists and designers, we shall hereafter be obliged to fill orders only from our headquarters in the metropo- lis—President Taft and a few imme- diate friends excepted. We have, however, started a clean- ing and pressing bureau in Washing- ton, and all uniforms worn by mem- bers of the Supreme Court, the Sen- ate and Congress will be kept in order by our branch offices at the nominal sum of one hundred dollars a month. A special appropriation has just been made by the Ways and Means Com- mittee to cover this perfectly legitimate expen: President Taft says, in his recent message: “From this time forth it is ex- pected that our beloved country will be recognized in its true im- portance by all of the other coun- tries on the globe. The Court etiquette is now being thoroughly revised by competent experts, and, owing to the new changes made in our appearances, it is confidently believed that war will henceforth be abolished.” Owing to the confidence which has been displayed in our work, since we 301 have undertaken to arrange for the official costumes, the whole matter of national etiquette has now been placed in our hands, and we expect in a short time to announce a complete programme. Up to the present time the Court etiquette which has prevailed in Eu- rope has influenced some of our states- men, while on the other hand Jeffer- sonian simplici has worked in an opposite direction. The result had been a kind of hodge-podge. This will now be done away with and every- thing will be in proper order. All magnates and heads of trusts when visiting Government officials will have appropriate costumes to wear for the occasion. Ex-Senator Aldrich has just wired us as follows: “Design me at once suitable clothes to appear before Bankers’ Committee in favor of National Reserve scheme. I want something impressive, highly dignified; and yet with that touch of human in- terest which awakens sympathy. SN Wek” Mr. Aldrich neglected the slight formality of making an initial deposit in advance; but this now having been complied with, we are happy to inform the country that his costume is being made, and he will appear before bankers’ conventions in it wherever “There was a riot to-day in the Army and Navy Club, caused by the entrance of a Cabinet officer in full regal