06/24/1946
By CALVIN COOLPANTS, Herald-Post Men’s Fashion Editor
El Pasoans have accepted with scrambled emotions the news that representative of the Society for the Promotion of Comfort for Men is town to change male fashions.
The representative. Armand P. Entre-chat, Friday announced his intention of converting El Paso men to the wearing of Khaki shorts, short-sleevcd shirts and pith helmet, la Frank Buck, the renowned lion tamer.
Some El Pasoans were hot for he cool pants while others were distinctly chilly.
A gentleman who gave his name as L. Q. Fisterus telephoned that he will work enthusiastically with the SPCM representative to make shorts popular with men: Mr. Fisterus is El Paso agent for a company that manufacturers sun burn ungents.
A purveyor of anti-mosquito lotion also pledged his wholehearted support to the campaign. "You invite 'em," he said. "I fight 'em "
One of the distinctly chilly reports came from Tom Adams of 1427 Wyoming street, whose ancestors, Mr. Adams said, helped make Texas great and who voted to allow the United States to associate themselves with Texas, during the days of the republic.
Mr. Adams asked the Herald Post to tell M. Entre-chat that he should take his silly notions elsewhere. To a very warm place, in fact.
M. Entre-chat, advised of Mr. Adams' statements, sighed and said: "All the time I run into that type of temperament.
"Such people brag of their ancestors and their hardihood, but they have not the strength of 'character to take a step which would repay them a thousand-fold in comfort.
"I shall not become disheartened. I shall persevere. I have a cause which will benefit mankind. I shall carry on the fight."
Timid Convert
M. Entre-chat felt pretty good because he has recruited a young man who gave his name as Byrdleggs Breezebottom, a blatant phoney if there ever was one, but who said it would be worth his social standing if he were to be known as a shorts wearer.
Breezebottom wore shorts while stationed during the war in Trinidad, where it's almost as hot as it it here.
"You see," said Mr. Entre-chat, 'We're getting converts, even if they are timid. "We must continue our work."
Monsieur Entre-chat Friday proposed to do his spadework among members of the 20-30 Club and Junior Chamber of Commerce. Leaders of these otherwise enterprising groups today expressed an attitude which M. Entre-chat considers definitely reactionary.
William Niland, president of the 20-30 Club, said: "I'm very much in favor of wearing short sleeves and no tie but I don't think much of the short pants.
"Convention, I guess.
"Also, while I was in the Army I was thrown with a bunch of British officers wearing those short pants and I didn't think much of their looks.
"1 wouldn't mind shorts if everyone else wore them, I guess.
Chained to Tradition
"I think we could bring the 20-30ans around." Judson Williams of the Junior Chamber of Commerce approves
but doesn't think such a program, though sound, would go over in El Paso.
"Mighty hard to break tradition,' said Mr. Williams. "Women change with the season, but look at us men—coat and pants, pants and coat, the same old rut the year 'round.
"Someone should start, the rest might follow."
W. T. Tippen. also of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, said: "Jud Williams in shorts. When 1 see it, I'll do it, too. He won't. No strength of conviction."
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