Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 237, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 October 1918 — Page 2

ARMOR for MODERN FIGHTERS

Many Models Hate Been Made and Are Now Being Tried Out by Americans at the Front,

<« jar ANY a visitor wandering IW/I through the labyrinthian de}V g lights of the Metropolitan Museum in New York and coming upon the collection of arms and armor in the main gallery has reincarnated a past of tall knights and gentle ladies, has fancied himself a Launcelot or Guinevere, in the city’s splendid collection of mail and plate, of decorative trapping, battle axe, spear and broad or long sword. And many, no doubt, have stood in fascination before the medieval armorer’s workshop set in a paneled recess of carved oak to the left of the gallery, a miniature bit of Old World charm, worn anvifs, hammers whose stroke has rung through centuries of steel on steel, modeled knights in the gay panoply of the Middle Ages, and the accoutrements of a warfare when combatants clashed to the sound of trumpets* But only a few of the visitors to the museum have been fortunate enough to get lost in the cool, corridored basement and find, tucked away in an inconspicuous corner, a complete practical armorer’s shop, where a master armorer plies his inherited art with a skill that puts him on a level with some of the great master armorers of the Middle Ages, writes N. H. McCloskey in New York Tribune. This artisan is M. Daniel Tachaux, and those few who have been permitted to swing open his shop door —a door quite like many another along the corridor —may well count themselves among the fortunate blessed, for they have seen a shop like no other in this country—A show now closed to the public and guarded by all the impassable and invulnerable barriers of government regulation. For here, in a workroom originally established for the purpose of cleaning, repairing and, in some rare cases, restoring pieces of defective armor, M. Tachaux and his young French assistant, Sergeant Bartel of the ordnance department, are carefully working out designs and models of defensive armor that can be worn by the allied soldiers, and which it is expected will result in cutting down to a very great degree, as . the helmets have already done, the percentage of killed and wounded in this present war. Forty Models Now at the Front. When the xyar broke out Mr. Robinson, director of the Metropolitan Museum, learning that the government * was in need of models for the preparation of armor, obtained the sanction of the trustees in placing the department of armor at the disposition of Secretary of War Baker. Bashford J3ean, curator of the department and a 7 man who has given his life to the study of the subject, was commissioned as a major and immediately sent abroad to report on the status of armor —what was already in use and what additions might feasibly be made. He returned to the United States late in January of the present year, and has since kept the armor workshop of the museum •’busy, on holidays and weekdays, turning our models in accordance with the suggestions of General Pershing and the ordnance department. After careful and patient experimentation by experts forty models have been made, and are even now being tried out on the fighting front. Here in the little workshop where the sun comes in through miniature panes and is deflected in myriad colors by small tools, age old; bits of brass and bronze, steel bright from pounding and armored suits wrought with the intricate traceries of medieval decoration, M. Tachaux plies with deft skill and the ease of long practice the very tools used by his ancestors and folded down from father to son through hundreds of years. The museum'has collected from all parts of the world the implements used in the fabrication of ancient armor, comprising some ninety kinds of anvils and “stakes,” several hundred different of hammers, curious shears and Instruments whose use would be quite unknown were it not that six j agjßorers —heirs of a past skill are Irving today. One of these is in Dresden, one in Switzerland, two in Japan, one in London and the other America has in the person of M. Tachaux, who has~collected about him the dusty romance of kn almost forgotten art and

Fishing With a Shovel

Fishing with _a shovel is the latest fad to develop In Milwaukee —and right in the heart of the city, too. ePaul Ihrig, proprietor of the saloon at the east end of the Oneida street bridge, which closed one day, started the new sport the next. While looking over his former place of business he saw a number of fish swimming near the surface of the Milwaukee river, next to his saloon.

in this corner of an ultramodern city has labored to preserve the relics of those storied centuries when knights were bold and ladies passing fair. Now, thanks to him who has kept alive an art long considered dead, this country is able to benefit by the advice of an expert in metals, and no longer does M. Tachaux labor over ancient pieces, but bends all his efforts, all his cunning and all his knowledge, to the making of armor that can be worn by the modern soldier armor heavy enough to be invulnerable, light enough to carry. Revive Work of Old Masters.

This question of weight and therefore practicability of armor for the man on foot —the man who makes a charge—reverts to the time of Louis XV of France, when the use of defensive protection had practically disappeared and an attempt was made to revive the steel helmet. Indeed, the development of armor from the time of side arms until the use of firearms is one of exceeding interest at this time, in that the government is reviewing the work of some of the greatest of the old masters in armor making, with a view to reinstating the best and most feasible of the old methods of defensive protection. The use of armor dates back to the ninth century B. C. and became more elaborate and complex until the introduction of gunpowder. The helmet was the first body protection to appear and was followed by the cuirass —the latter being used by the Greeks and Romans and reappearing at the time of Charlemagne in the form of a waistcoat made of overlapping metal scales and of rather imperfect execution. What Norman Warrior Wore. In the eleventh century, according to the Bayeaux tapestries as well as the seal of Richard Coeur de Lion, we find the coat of mail assuming first the shape of a redlngote and later that of a bathing suit, completed by a helmet conical at the nose. This, together with the use of leather plates on the feet and hands, constituted the equipment of a Norman warrior.

A study of the sculptures of the Reims cathedral and the evangeliarium of St. Louis (National library) points to the development, in the twelfth century, of a perfected coat of mail, a metal combination united with the helmet by a passe-montagne of steel links; the whole, constituting a hauberk, protected the warrior with the haube —a cylindrical helmet made of pieces of forged metal adjusted by rivets and pierced by two peepholes. At the beginning of the fourteenth century the desire to protect the joints caused the placing of metal plates at shoulder and knee. The haube disappeared and was replaced by a helmet of a type called Bassinet, with a movable visor pierced by holes to permit sight and ventilation. By the middle of the fourteenth century chain armor had disappeared to a considerable degree, and plate armor was taking Its place, the plates at the joints being

Ihrig went Into the’basement of the place and among the rubbish found a long-handled coal shovel. With this he pried Open a window facing the river and climbed onto the two-foot dock. By stooping and leaning over he was able to land six suckers, each a foot long, with the shovel. He lost a nice bullhead.

No Restriction on Ostrich Flesh.

Ostrich flesh is meat which is not very popular at the present time, but it was y once considered one of the

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN. RENSSELAER, IND

extended to the interarticular portions in such a way as to inclose the limbs ,ln metal greaves; the hands were protected by an articulated gauntlet and the foot by an iron shoe or solleret. The body was still covered by a shortened coat about the length of a waistcoat —called the haubergeon —and the whole outfit was known as a “harness,” to which was soon added a steel corselet, prolonged over the abdomen by a sort of skirt of interwoven metallic rings—the “tasselles.” Invulnerable But Helpless. ■Finally, in the reign of Charles VH, the complete cuirass appears, augmented by shoulder pieces and the gorget, which united the armor to the round helmet. The knight was now practically invulnerable, but so weighted down and so awkward of movement that once dismounted he was at the complete mercy of his foe. To lessen his chances of being dismounted, therefore, his horse was equipped with armor, the tout ensemble being a sort of medieval tank. The man on foot, however, needed greater freedom of movement, and so wore considerably lighter equipment, namely, helmet, shoulder -pieces, shield, arm and thigh pieces, knee pieces and a short coat of mall—or haubergeon—to which was added, in many cases, an abdominal demicufrass. This equipment may appear again on the modern soldier practically as worn by the foot soldier in the reign of Charles VH. The elaborate armor of the knight —which, in Its completion, had meant the patient acquisition of centuries—was made useless in the space of some ten years by the introduction of gunpowder. As early as the beginning of the fourteenth century, projectiles had become capable of piercing the armor in use at the time, and little by little the use of such defense disappeared, the tendency being to substitute fabric for metal protection. This gave birth to the epaulet, horse-tail plume, the shako and the bearskin cap. With modern wars, a new device sprang up —namely, individual protection by means of the invisibility of units and scattered formations. From this originated the idea of the service uniform.

Such methods of individual defense were quite satisfactory for combat at great distances; -but in stationary fighting or in trench warfare it is quite another matter, and once again the question of individual armor has arisen, and already we see its use in the shape of the steel helmet, the heavy breastplate worn by the German soldier, the lighter breastplate worn by the English, the armored waistcoats of the Italians and the trench shields used by all armies. The idea of the new armor is not, like that of the Middle Ages, to give complete protection. It Is rather to deflect than to stop missiles, and it does this with a sheet of metal that would be easily pierced by a bullet striking it at right angles.

finest dishes ever made. The meat is rather hard to digest, though even if this were not the case it is doubtful if it would ever lay claim to rivalry with ham and eggs or pork and beans. At any rate it has one big advantage in that it is in no wise affected by food regulations, and the lover of this dish may consume it to his heart’s content without fearing the wrath of the food administrator or having his conscience smite him for devouring something that the soldiers could use or need.

NEW SILHOUETTE MAY BE ADOPTED

New York.—One approaches the subject of a new silhouette these days with timidity, notes a fashion writer. One feels the shadow of the storm that is about to burst when fashion writers and designers say to the public that the lines of women’s clothes have changed, which means thaUWomen’s wardrobes must change if they remain in the picture of the hour. When we are in the throes of conservation and economy, the idea of a new silhouette is not altogether pleasing. It is snatched up with avidity by those who sell apparel, for they know it is a lure to the purse. But it is also snatched up by orators, the reformers, and thousands who ask women not to change the style of their clothes during the war. These do not snatch it up with avidity, but jump upon it and try to crush it by argument and vituperation. The French say, however, that to face a fact apd not theorize on a fancy is a far better way to meet life. Therefore, if the new silhouette is here, and if women will accept it by the thousands, it is far better to face it than to ignore it; it is wiser to realize that it must be managed on a basis of economy and conservation.' Argument has never had the slightest effect on fashions. The persuasive tones of the administration, asking that our material be spared by civilians because it is needed for the fighters, has had its result; but this is only in keeping with the uncomplaining attitude of America toward all restrictions during the war. The majority of women feel, and it seems that that feeling is right, that if they do not encroach upon the fabrics and workers needed by the government they can have as many new costumes as they wish, on whatever lines they please. Long Skirts Replace Short Ones. The fundamental fact in the silhouette is that skirts sweep the ankles and heels. To many women this is the fundamental fact, but to the designers and the reporters there is far more in the change than this. If women were to continue to wear plaited skirts on straight ’lnes, sweeping the ankles, and straight skirts that reached the toe-tips and were made to look less scanty by rippling tunics that extended to the ’:nee, one would still find that the old clothes would do. But the new long skirt is draped; it is draped upward at the back, and it is very, very slender in its outline. You can easily see that such a skirt will influence the bodice and the waistline. One cannot wear tunics over draped skirts. One cannot wear oriental sashes at the hip-line over draped skirts, as they did in 1880. There is so much that must go by the board with a skirt that is a grace-

New turban of white angora well down over the head. The frock is of dark blue velveteen, with plaited white collar and cuffs and a row of white pearly buttons on each. hip. The shoes and stockings are black and white.

ful revival of the old “pull-back,** which was held in place by short, strong elastics placed in the back widths of the skirt to pull it tight across the front of the figure. The normal waistline will undoubtedly come in with the draped skirt; 'or the basque, with its pointed front fastened in a straight line up to the collar-bone, may be revived. The corselet bodice is another garment that is possible, as it needs a straight line beneath it to keep the silhouette in harmony. It is said that wide dolman sleeves will be revived with these long draped skirts, as well as flat lace collars resting securely against the tightfitting neckline. All In the Future. All this, mind you, is in the future, as far as fashions for the mass are concerned. But it would be unfair to the women who are buying clothes today not'tb warn them of this .approaching change, and the belief Ijr

all those in authority that this silhouette will rule women’s clothes as the winter comes on. One thing, however; is quite certain in the minds of those who have authority : All skirts will be lengthened as the season advances under the influence of this new skirt. Women are’ already ripping out hems or adding new hems of. other material to skirts they are renovating. This is a wise thing for a woman to remember if she is in the throes of altering frocks that/will maintain her

Anzac fiat of pale-gray felt The crown is trimmed with a miniature cartridge belt made of gray faille ribbon. The ornament is a tiny red, white and blue jeweled flag. The frock Is of pale-gray satin and sWk voile, and is trimmed with tiny gray silk buttons. There Is a string sash tied In the back.

wardrobe In good style until the actual cold weather demands warmer materials. Don’t let her be misled by the fact that the majority of women’s clothes worn and sold today have short skirts. All the betting on the racetrack of fashion is against their winning. It is far wiser to renovate a skirt for the future than for the present, if one considers the gown worth the price of .money and vitality that clever renovation requires. Speaking of Skirts, What About Hats? The first question that a woman asks when she is told that the long, pull-back skirt and the tight basque are arriving, concerns the best hat that will go with such a silhouette. The answer to her question depends on the nature of the place where she shops. It is probable that the information will be given her that the milliners have amassed a vast variety of head coverings, and that she can take her choice; but if she definitely Insists upon what is new, she will be told by those who know that the striking novelty is the revival of a man’s hat that has won a picturesque place for itself through several centuries of usage. „ x Once it was called the Musketeer, because of its upturned brim and its long feather; today it Is called the Anzac. Between the two classes 6f fighters there is no difference, except the progress of time. They fight with much the same principle to guide them, and both fight for the honor and safety of Trance. Today the Anzac hat comes into high fashion, and at the hour of the Australian fighters’ distinction. It is made of white, gray, black and mauve felt. Sometimes it has an insignia of no importance as a method of fastening up the brim to the crown, and again it has a thick, curling ostrich feather. It is the latter trlrming that is added to the felt hat when the costume is a slim, draped frock that reaches from collar-bone to tips of toes. There is a recrudescence of ostrich feathers over the land, and as all the milliners are insisting that hats shall be trimmed, there is every reason to believe that the African plume will be restored to fashion. , SO, throughout the warp and woof of the new fashions there runs a thread of economy, for the reason that much IS revived which has been shelved and may have been kept -Quite a little summary, don’t yon think, of the dead brought back to life? (Copyright 1918. by th® McClure Newspaper Syndicate.)

Square Jet Buttons.

Square jet buttons are used from the top of the collar to the waistline in one of the new frocks. The collar, which Is high and flaring, is held ui by wires, for otherwise the heavj square jet buttons would pull it down

ARKANSAS THOMAS SCATS

The average man is so stubborn that he would rather break his neck than bow his head. ' You will never make a hit with a middle-aged woman by telling her that she is well preserved. Always remember that opportunity and dame fortune are the only knockers who ever made a hit * Isn’t, it funny how honest and upright a man feels when the other Yellow gets 'caught and he doesn’t The pastor of the. Thomas Cat is not able to say. He has seen all the pictures of her, and has never discovered anything on her yet Another reason why we send our sons to college is because when they graduate they can come home and sneer at how little we know. About this time of year the last crop of June brides are coming down to breakfast In the morning wearing gre&sy kimonos and with their hair wadded into door knobs on the backs of 'their heads. Yes, Maymsie, ye pastor once,kicked the Gordon press and the cat but that was a long time ago when he was devil in a little country “print shpp. That was before he commenced blossoming mental morning glories and writing virile copy for the Thomas Gat Boys usually kick the Gordon and the cat in their tadpole period before they become the whole wiggle.

ONLY A BACHELOR WOULD

Hang the craydn portrait of Aunt Anastasia over the bad place in the living room wallpaper. Hang a towel rack over the place where the genuine marble has peeled off the bathroom wall. i By keeping the player-piano going you can easily overcome the banging of the faulty radiator in the living room. Place a large Japanese umbrella up against the ceiling in the library where the radiator upstairs has leaked through.' Back the sideboard up against the place where the wainscoting waablistered.durlng a chafing-dish party given by your predecessors. Where you have too many pictures, hang them one over the other, the pictures of your relatives on the bottom and those of your wife’s relatives on, top. The temperature may be made agreeable by constant exercise with wall weights,, dumb bells and rowing ma- - chines. On heatless days you. can thus fool your landlord and yourself at the same time.

EPICTETUS, JR.

The three German fates are: “Faithless, Hopeless* and Uncharitable.” Patriotism'' and criticism are the two best speeders up in existence. Our war profiteers who think they are rolling in wealth are really groveling in it. To view the fuel situation calmly next winter put about twenty tons in your bins this summer. Germany says we are a country of shopkeepers. Just now we are exporting a lot of hardware into their midst. A pacifist is just as much out of place in America on the Fourth of July as he would be in Jfo Man’s Land.”—Lewis Allen in Forum.

JUST JABS

Doc Brandegee says that in spring weather a coat on the back will save many a coat on the tongue. The folks over in Europe are not so, much afraid of potatoes going down In April as of their not coming up in May. The crow may be a troublesome bird, but he never gets noisy without caws. Too bad more people are not like crows I

IN OTHER CITIES

Chester, Pa., grants negro women daily pay days. Lorain, 0., is building 240 new houses for shipbuilders. Baltimore, Md., is to have a school for blinded soldiers. 1 / , Chicago saloons are forbidden to sell liquor by the bottle. Philadelphia is taking steps to check tuberculosis among negroesKewanee, Hl., sounds a whistle every noon as a call to victory prayers. Washington is to fill its police force with limited service army men.Milwaukee will ring church bells when American victories are reported. Washington wants its historic spots marked by tablets for the benefit oC visitors.