New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-11
THE COLONEL GOES on STRIKE.
HE SAYS THAT THE PRICES IN THE RES
TAURANTS AND HOTELS MUST
COME DOWN

The about town is regular In his habits
as the clock in the City Hall tower For years he
has been in the habit OF dropping into certain cafes
on certain evenings at certain hours. He has gone
20 cafe for luncheon. TO another for dinner. to
a third for drink. and a fourth for differ
ent drink In hale dozen places ne has been well
known for half generation. He is good patron
and his tips liberal Projectors are ex-
trerrev respectful 10 him. and they are anxious to
please him. for he brings with him friends who
live well and whose bank accounts are long
Walters serve him with that is n fine art
for his tips would make a modest little income
AS has been said before. the about town has
made his rounds in a precise and systematic man
WHY Colonel" said friend who met him in
one of the hotel cafas the other evening. "how
do you be here
The colonel was slipping from his glass in his
usual way while he waited for his bird He
looked as handsome. as well fed and as amiabe as
ever. But there something strange about him
which caused his friend surprise. II the place
where he found the Colonel He was not in OF
his usual haunts.
why shouldn't be here" asked the Colonel in
his Food-nature voice.
"I;ut YOU are So"
80 regular eho SO much slave OF routne?"
he put IN with a laugh We'll yes. I am"
Il never yor here before thought you'd b.
down at IS Was just about walk down t.
look in YOU
Take off your coat" said the Colonel "and stay
awhile That's what am doing"
Put Colonel YOU haven't told me how you hap
pen to ne here
The Colcne smiled. Il was a pleased self-satis-
fled smile.
I'm strike" nc said.
ION strike? Against what
Against men who don't know their own business.
who don't serve their own interests who behind
the times"
And who are they"
The Colonel settled back in his chair and then be
gan follows:
"Do you like that wine"
at is very good"
rs this pleasant dining -room?'
"it Is more than that
isn't It az attractive So"
Yes"
isn't It a.;ractive?'
Yes; think II Is"
"Of course II is The is brighter aud more
cheerful. The chairs are more comfortable. The
general furnishings more sump,uous The china
is OF q finer grade. The glass is thinner and better
Everything IS more luxurious"
''Of course. but"
"But-tha,'s jus, IT. know what you are going
to say. II isn't IS"
Yes. that's a."
We'll what difference does II make Rather.
what difference doesn't IL make? Let me tell you
something I've been getting cocktail before din
in several places for the last ten years Ever
time have paid % cents for a cocktail For my
sherry before luncheon, % cents. had cocktail
before l began this supper Sow what ga pay
for it,
"A cocktail here is 10 cents"
Exactly; and II you had been with me- two
cocktails would have been % cents. No" do you
know that my old haunts are several years behind
manner Of things are coming down. my sh"uiIh I
hotel and restaurant prices other 'hlnEs Deins
down. said the Colonel, emphaticany; bringing ms
hand down Oh the table "Woudn be 1901 10
good T one for Dor nftecna Wondni be- una'c
TO pay 81 for a canvasbach duck when JUS AZ
you think a man ought 20 be In Boomngdale who
would persistently ana continually pay s. for a
so better OF can eIri ba "h 6 ne Wha are You going
to say to that" he asked 'riurnphanty
"Pretty strong? It's an unanswerable argument.
DO you know" ne added convincnsly. that those
are lust killing themselves? Yes sir. just killing
hemselves They are letting us all get lnreh bd away
stop the thins. can tell them LEI them G2nne
must compete in every way-furnishings. service.
quality Of viands and prices. They have got 10 do
IL II they dont"--. the Colonel made an eloquent
gesture. Expressive Of rhoos.
"If they don't Colonel ,
'If they don't. they are ruined utterly ruined
This Is the age when people must keep up win
, the times or 30 down. ,,,
20; they haze deserted me. They have not
treated me fairly. They have driven me away.
Now what ] AIN going to say to you VIII seem IKE
treason coming from me, on" oi inc Ola ''Garl'
but really thc Old places are almost second-class.
They can't compare with the Now ones. Ih@y
aren't handsome and luxurious me don
give YOU the same comforts ana convenience
And they keep mp the old-fashoned giil -edged
prices one new MOTEL that tried " tailed IN the
attempt and promptly established more reasonable
rates Ism, II ridiculous for The old places to de
ludc themselves? Isn't II foliy ioF them 70 gee
their patrons falling away one by one? Isn't u a
shame that they wiz not try 10 give us what ther
younger rivals give us? Ishaw' added me Colo
mel picking up his bin. people aren't such MIN
uscr as thcy might be. tell you TINS is serious
question" - ,o.
Your strike Is going last then?
his cont until those people the error OF their
ways"