THE RIGHTS OF MAN

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 93, 17 October 1934, Page 18

THE RIGHTS OF MAN

HAIR IN SWITZERLAND

A Geneva eccentric who says ho believes, among other things, that men have as much right to grow their hair long as women have to cut theirs short has vindicated the honour of all hairy beings by creating a valuable precedent in Swiss law (says tho "NewsChronicle").

Charged with causing a grave scandal by wearing a beard some eighteen inches long with hair to maVch, and thus contravening Article 233b, paragraph 3, of th© regulations for the control of locomotives and the maintenance of public security, the man concerned defended himself with vigour before tho Bench, who discharged him without a stain on his character.

Undeterred by the dictates of fash ion and the jeers of his neighbours, tho old man has for years cultivated a magnificent flowing growth. Not satisfied with 't'lie full effect of this, he took to wearing a voluminous blue blouse, Wellington boots, and a sweeping black sombrero. The ensemble was so startling. that when the wearer took a stroll to the railway station recently bo was surrounded by a large crowd consisting largely of unbearded youths. Not the slightest bit worried, the eld gentleman .continued his dignified way, but officialdom in the form of an overzealous stationmastcr intervened.

"You are causing a scandal within the meaning of the Act, and thus menacing tho security of my trains," declared the official, "and I order you to leave tho station promises." _ But tho hirsute gentleman was a believer in personal as well as civic rights. "The station is State property and I have just as much right to bo here as you," the man retorted with considerable dignity. "What is more, I have a perfect right to grow my hair as I like, Snd in any case it is not hurting your railway." So the stationmuster called a policeman find the "king of beavers" was arrested.

Whether it was because they admired tho defendant's beard or his courage, or whether it was because ho had eornmitted no offeneo against the Swiss State railways, the Magistrates acquitted the old gentleman, and lie left the court amid the cheers of the assembled populace, a justifiably proud upholder of the rights of man,