New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-29
TUE TdITFE.S' TRIh Z.

The strike Of the walters Tor higher Nl3cN
and the right TO shave or 90 uSShorn ~ piea>'S
them has assumed somewhat Troublesome pro
portions, and Il great many persons WI" l'''u
no attention to il at the outset are brin@ ioi''u
70 make up their minds what to think about
the matter. 1t is our impression that the pub
lie has not lately entertained the highest re-
spca and affection for hotel and restaurant
walters There has been general ieellns' IL
WA mistake not. that the tip. which used 10
be a voluntary expression OF goodwill checi-
fully bestowed in appreciation OF c'llcIcht ser
vice. is no longer given and received IN me
ONLY spirit which could make 1t iolerable. me
fact cannot have escaped general observation
that the tip is now not only expected aS Il mat
ter of course, but very often accepted without
so much as 4 word of acknowledgment, n II IL
were transferred from one pocket 10 another
in navment of a debt and the obligation to
gratitude were on the payer. If this wer" the
fact common doccncy would prescribe a" Thank
you' from the recipient and since II Is the
precise reverse Of the fact the omission i I'M
pertinent and irritating.
If we are not mistaken there j. also general
natural and proper feeling that walters a. Il
class pay too little attention 10 the duty of per
sonal cleanliness and that the viandS which
they dispense are not nj all commenced 10 inc
palate by the hands heads and apparel oi The
dispensers We are not prepared 10 say That
winters are dcgencraiing in this respect. for
the public is probably developing a more deli
cate taste in such matters, and this may ac-
count for the impression. But certainly II i
lac u
welcomed rs il would be promptly recognized.
These considerations. therefore, and especially
the feeling cngendcrcd by the tipping system
have not tended, we think to ally public opin-
ion with the walters in the first Stage oi their
controversy. Moreover there has been some
lack of sympathy on their part with IN" hungry
ard thirsty. manifcsiing Itself in determine
ton 70 T.; a large number of persons, without
warning or recourse. 90 unfcd and un>l.kcd ~
a means Of compelling accession 10 their de
maud, II the effect Of these uncJmpa-Sonatc
tactics has been injurious 10 the cause Of the
walters We see no reason for surprise thcrca'.
human nature being what II :,
On the other hand, the resentment which the
application Of the fee system has produced J.
not directed exclusively against the napkin
bearers. There i "A somewhat general p"rccp-
tion Of the fact that propIictor> have fOSt"rcd
the system. or 9, che vcry least have taken adj
v,nto-. OF it to maintain a scale of wages
which they could not otherwise enforce. This
Is not an agreeable realization: for though ii
may be said that ina>nuch rs whltcycr re-
the walters receive comes out of
the pockets Of customers, it makes little differ
( tb..I. Ia,
is Il well-nigh universal feeling that the real
source Of pay ment ought to be disguised in the
restaurant business Is il is in every other, and
the burden Of cash settlements borne by the
employer instead of The patron. This. We
think, is the strongest position which the wait
RS can occupy, and if they take II boldly and
lefcnd il vigorously they are likely To recruit
popular sentiment on their side
As for their demand for freedom in the Use
,r neglect Of the razor We are disposed to
hnIi that they are unwisc 10 complicac their
agitation with this issue. They will uot sue
,ccd in arousng tempest among the sons Of
liberty over this matter. Possibly the price
ess heritage which the fathers transmitted 10
heir children ought 10 guarantee 10 every mnn
Ibsolutc jurisdiction over his own capillary At
factions or rcpuISoDS, and aS an abstract
proposition the right to wear n musrachc is
apablc Of being defended with ardor and sue
css. But in the case of walters the inclina-
ion TO cuItail that right is prevalent and
atural. Indeed, we have not particle Of
oubt that if breed of hairless walters could
20 developed they would he found 10 fill "A
ong felt want.