Why do you frown upon beards when Jesus and his disciples sported them?
Why do you frown upon beards when your modern-day founder, Charles Taze Russell and not a few of his followers sported them?
I think there was a Watchtower article back in the seventies that referred to brothers wearing beards being confused with individuals who might be part of the beatnik movement or something. So if a brother was wearing a beard whilst out in the work, householders might view him like this
Of course, the beatnik movement were considered rebel like. So of course such articles only further promoted the idea that brothers growing beards were displaying a rebellious spirit.
There were other articles, but this was just an example. Also, I once heard a PO describe beards as dirty. It was a horrible disgusting comment to make at a public meeting.
The guy might have well stood up and said to everyone ' hey, we are a high control religious group (Christian btw) that micro manages everyone. If you want to be a Christian in this organisation..shave of your beard and wear a suit'