BARBERS WANT RAISE BECAUSE OF ADDED EXPENSES FOR LADY CUSTOMERS
Chicago, Illinois (JFK+50) On April 10, 1925, Associated Press reports "bobbed and shingled hair for women" translates into additional expenses for barbers. This is the opinion expressed by W.S. Leidig, president of the Barber's Union.
Mr. Leidig, in asking for a wage increase before Federal conciliator Charles Bendhelm, said...
"We have to buy new uniforms and keep ourselves spick and span all the time on account of these lady customers.
That costs money for laundry (and) ... new clothes. Then we have to buy curling irons and special heavy shears."
JFK+50 NOTE
In the 16th century, a spick was a nail & span was a wooden chip. When a new ship was finished every nail & wooden chip was brand new, thus the term "spick and span."
SOURCE
"Barbers Ask Raise for Looking Nice To Girl Customers," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., April 10, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
