Despotic Power of the Barber

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 93, 14 January 1935, Page 11

Despotic Power of the Barber

Sir, —Do those' who are carrying on the ‘‘Strewelpeter” strafe realise what a hornet’s nest they are, disturbing? Do they . overlook, in the heat of the bombardment, ’ what immense power to destroy, or worse still, make ridiculous, these razor and scissor wielders possess? In 10 minutes —even less for a job of the quality “Strewelpeter” condemns—a barber of high or low degree could transform that firecracker, Mr. Bernard Shaw, from a literary “Beaverbrook” into a gaunt, wrinkled old man. “Strewelpeter” might find an ally in GJ3.fi., who, judging from the length of his beard, places not his faith in barbers. One short, sharp sweep across that pugnacious upper lip would transform that moustachioed firebrand of the European political stage into just one of the rank and file. Hitler fears not the wearers of opposition shirts, but I’ll wager he has more than a sneaking regard of, maybe a fear of, his barber. And of what use would have been the good oldfashioned Communist without his beard? If barbers were the arbitrary fellows “Strewelpeter” infers, they would never have permitted these fiery apostles to sport the growths which gave them the necessary appearance for cartoonists’ profit, Imperial statesmen’s campaign speeches and conservative grandmothers’ tales. Barbers have with careful attention eoaxedl into full flourish hirsute growths which have transformed indifferent-look-ing crowned heads into strong, silent monarchs. That some have'died at the hands of equally well-bearded men, and taken their beards with them, is of no consequence. To descend to smaller fry, what of the youth-man who cultivates a seven-aside with as much care as the elderly and unromantic baldheads give to their cucumbers, and then has it swept off the field by a short-sighted barber? Was this “Strewelpeter’s” experience?— I am, etc., SHORN LAMB. W-eUington,. January 12.