Folder: Portraits-O'Brien, Daniel (See Also: Police-Chiefs).
Newscopy (1923 Jul. 16): "TROUSERS MAY NOW BE WORN BY WOMEN OF SAN FRANCISCO - New Ordinance Permits Wearing of Male Attire, Providing There Is No Intent To Deceive. SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., July 16--The Women and girls of San Francisco may now wear trousers, pantaloons, breeches, trews, spatterdashes, gamashes, knickerbockers, bloomers, or pants on the street here without fear of arrest or official disapproval. For many years thousands of trouser-clad girls have filled downtown streets, cars and ferries on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. These ladies, young and old, have heretofor faced arrest, but the board of supervisors has now passed an ordinance permitting girls to wear male attire, providing there is no intent to deceive. Daniel J. O'Brien, chief of police, was behind the move to amend the ordinance. 'The new ordinance,' said the chief, 'was put through for the benefit of hikers. Girls can't hike in dresses.'".
Newscopy (continued): "Chief O'Brien stood near the ferry and watched a group of hikers file past. One or two agile and sprightly nymph-like figures passed, but when several ladies whose figures passed, but when several ladies whose figures might be described as embonpoint personified, the chief added: 'The ordinance distinctly says 'where there is not intent to deceive.' and, in most cases, I'm sure there can't be any deception.'".
Negative #10730