Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-26
The Abuse Of "TiDping.o

From the New York Tribune.
The custom of giving "tips'' or gratuities to
walters, sleeping-car porters, stewards and SER
wants generally, may have been imported in
the first instance, but 1t has certainly taken root
and thriven quite as sturdily though indi-
genous, and it has attained proportions which
make it a not insignificant annoyance. The
public hold to it the relation of Victims and it
ought tobe pei ceived that rule the preva-
lehce of this custom in any hotel, restaurant or
other place of public resort, implies more or less
places to countenance what is nearly ALWAYS S an
imposition upon their customers. No doubt
many persons have acquired a habit of bestow-
grows out of experience which shows that in
most cases efficient service can be obtained in
no other way. This experience is not creditable
to the mplOyerS of the servants who need to be
SO stimulated. When a gentleman goes to a
hotel he has right to expect that in paying his
bill he discharges all obligations that have ac-
crued against himself The landlord unQues-
tionably charges for service among other things
Yet the guest Is called upon to pay extra for this
same service, the alternative being neglect.
It would be nonsense to contend that the en-
ployeI,s are not responsible for the eXactions of
walters and other employees, even when they
it Is said that there other cases i'm which the
responsibility of the employers is brought home
to them most directly; cases, namely, in which
the walters are either not paid any wages, or
but a triling amount, the understanding being
that they will make their living from fees
to the guests. The landlord comes first and
charges them full rate for service, all of which
be pockets Then come the walters, and exact
a second Charge, and the whole transaction
partakes largely of the highwayman business
Since both landlord and waiter take advantage
there Is no more logical iustification for the he
clipping" system in a hotel Or restaurant
than there would be in a dry-goods store or
people behind the counters at a respectable
Shopping place, but there is no reason why the
hotel system should not prevail in such places;
always provided that there Is reason for its
existence anywhere.
In ordinary business establishments the SER
vice is prompt and efficient because the pro-
prfetors act upon common-sense principles.
see that they do their duty. 1t is impossible to
Sometimes, indeed. evasion is sought by adj
yansipg the theory that at the public ,o tip
have failed to break up the pernicious practice.
Rat this is q very feeble subterfnge. The truth
Is that the public continue to tip simply because
they cannot get good service In any other way;
or in other words, because employers neglect
their duty to their patrons as no other class Of
business men neglect it. II Is the PLAIN duty
81 sipa sssss. 81. vs1s s asissss apoa
could eaS BE- order s moTs for q. f SHOULD wound snd
disappear, and the public would be relieved.
Employers who deliberately arrange that their
ported by the public are clearly practising
fraud upon their patrons. SO far has the prac-
sss of gRip S u shat :.
rants is subjected to what in the course Of Q
year amounts to heavy tax, and really Is an
fair methods The American people are pro-
fig, and thsIesore ne atigglng. custom has
e, however, SO manifest an imposition, and 1t
involves snch transparency false pretenses,
that 1t shoald pc both resisted ana resented.