The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-05-14
THE WHISPERS WAR IN THE WEST.
San Francisco Walters. Too, Engaged in
the Fight for Hairy Liberty.

the Fight for Hatrv Liberty.
There was ripple Of excitement at the
Palace Hotel recently over the refusal of
the manager to permit the walters to
grow moustaches and boards. About
the time that Captain Percy Smith came
from London TO take charge of the hotel.
Frederick Sharon and Frank Newlands
conceived It the proper thing TO compel all
the walters to shave off their hirsute
appendages and appear as they do at
the present time In Old World capitals.
IL was a hard blow TO many a dapper
waiter, who prided himself on his hand
some moustache and his luxuriant beard,
but everything OF this kind had TO go.
The walters complied. however. reluc-
family and as soon as Captain Smith
was gone they concluded to make bold
stand for the whiskers.
They appealed to Prosper and Victor
Reiter. the former being first steward
of the restaurant, and the latter head
steward OF the eating departments, ex-
cent the grill-room. At first Messrs.
Reiter did not know but that the whis-
kers might be permitted.
However, attention was called TO one
Of the rules which decorate the walls OF
the Interior 1t was formidable and 1t
seemed doubtful II the request could be
granted Still they might try. There are
sixty regular walters In the hotel, and
the number Is often swelled TO seventy
five or eighty. Owing TO the big rush
OF regular tourists and Worlds Fair WIS.,
itors, there have been many more walters
than the average. Many wanted their
whiskers to grow.
The Refers pointed gravely 10 the De-
aforementioned rule:
ma
ton to personal appearance. Neatness
is a necessity. Walters must wear white
Jackets and black pants. Turn-do"n
collars always; black ties for breakfast;
white ties for lunch and dinner.
The matter of the whiskers was finally
referred to John G.. Kirkpatrick. the new
manager, and he took II under advise
ment A little later Head Steward Rel
ter sent the manager communication,
OF which the following is part:
This morning a waiter by the name OF
Parker came TO me and asked II would
have any objection to the senling In or
a petition to you to allow them 70 wear
their moustaches. I told him emphati-
callv that I had reasons to object TO
such an undertaking, and my reasons are
these:
II has been the wish AMI instructions
Of the owners that all walters In this
hotel who serve guests should be cream
sb,ven and this course has been carried
out by Captain Smith. All the first-class
hotels, or those who give first-class SER
vice. require ali walters TO be smooth
faced. The reason for such an exaction
is plain and sensible.
I take the liberty to quote from the
Hotel on the subject: 1T is Impossible
for n man to eat or drink who has
moustache without soiling it. let him be
ever 10 careful. and still IL Will retain
the particles or grease of the food. Was
there ever a man who did not uncon-
sciously handle his beard or moustache?
Your waiter hands you plate; he places
bread on 1t In your presence with FORK,
but I'm the serving-room the hands are
less troublesome and perform their duty
quicker that the fork.
He reaches you spoon turning IL so
that YOU can take 1t by the handle. He
nerforms the little duties OF his Office.
You turn around and find him stroking
his moustache. Then from hundred
bearded faces there must come loose
hairs. But why further? II is not pleas
ant 10 contemplate. Where shaving has
been tried there has been at the start
more or less opposition by the walters.
but intelligent men will soon see the SEN
sibility Of such a course. This custom.
SO prevalent among foreign houses. is one
more American proprietors could adopt
10 advantage"
The result OF this was that Mr.. Kirk
patrick. metaphorically speaking. put his
foot on the whiskers. Not only must all
boards now of be kept of. but anybody
with hair on his face. be II little or much.
must sacrifice It,
Among the dozen or more walters who
were leaders in the revolt were j. w.
Brown. Dan. Foster. Ed Parker. and
man OF the name Of Meisnor. They re-
ceiyed the news In anything but meek
and humble spirit. In fact. they talked
OF leading a strike. and upsetting things
all around. MANAGER Kirkpatrick saw
that their fiery spirits must be crushed.
and accordingly decreed that not only
THAR whiskesa but their heads must 60