Jim Kershner’s This day in history » On the Web: spokesman.com/topics/local-history

From our archives, 100 years ago

Spokane’s police chief and the commissioner of public safety delivered a warning to their officers: Keep a clean uniform, and a clean-shaven visage.

Meanwhile, snuff out that cigar.

The chief issued new rules in an attempt to give the police force a more “high-toned, manly and self-respecting” image.

“Clean shaves, bright linen and well-kept uniforms” would be mandatory.

On a loftier level, all police officers would be required to respect both their own position and “the rights of the citizens.”

One new rule was causing the most consternation, the one that clamped down on what the paper called “My Lady Nicotine.” All pipes, cigars and cigarettes were tabooed at the police station.

“It wipes out the traditional custom of seating one’s self in front of the station on a summer evening and smoking,” said the paper.

Many chain-smoking officers were alarmed, maintaining that tobacco smoke serves as “a deodorant in the city hall.”

The city’s firefighters were also waiting nervously for new rules.

Most firefighters had “never seen a book of rules,” but the commissioner said he wanted to “inject a little ginger” into that department, too.