The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-11-30
COSTLY FADs IN HOTELS.
They Are Forced Upon the Proprietors BY
Competition and Demand.


Although much OF the business COM
petition between local hotel men is OF
friendly nature. 10 Is gradually and
rapidly undergoing such a change that
the profits will soon be reduced TO a min
imum- Every succeeding year finds such
alterations. improvements and innova-
lions necessary that any progressive boni-
face can III AFFORD to ignore them. Just
now a number of features are being
forced on some of these caterers. through
their Introduction by others In past sea-
sons. and while they can scarcely fail
TO attract attention and meet with APP
prevail they are very expensive. one OF
these Is the prevailing custom OF having
daily concerts at hotels. In some of the
larger houses morning. afternoon and
evening concerts are given: at others the
programme Is confined TO lunch and din
ner hours. but In the majority OF them
II has become a nightly feature only.
The popularity OF music in hotels IL
evident from the rapidty OF the demand
for Il. few years ago II was intro
duced by a few standard hotels. but Il
never became as popular as now. and
was comparatively unknown TO the ma
Jority OF people. A few years ago II was
again brought forward at one OF the mod
ern hotels, and every succeeding season
since others have followed the example
With the demand for music there has
also been an improvement in the nature Of
that given for the entertainment OF
guests. From the piano OF mandolin 70
a fun orchestra have been the strides
made. and now classic music. as we'll as
popular airs. add to the attraction The
better the music. too. 10 Is said, the
greater the profit. as many persons are
attracted to the cafes. dining-rooms and
restaurants who have for years been ac-
customed TO dining elsewhere.
At present the music at the leading no
tells II monopolized by Germans and Hun
gariQna The laffar ~ m yalwr
unknown here seven years ago. but since
then they have assumed such a position
as to make II open question as 20
which IL the most popular. The Hun
saian gypsies are. however. erowding
their Teuton rivals out OF this branch
of the business. At least twelve hotels
and restaurants have orchestras made
up OF this class OF musicians. They are
all under the leadership OF DIR. Sommer,
and are formed into a union for self-pro-
lection. Every day this leader acts as
the unions walking delegate. as well as
its director. and visits every place where
his men are engaged. II there IL any
complaint to be made or fault TO be
found with any OF his men he remedies
II without delay. II a man IL taken sick
n substitute takes his place. and the for
mer. during his first two weeks illness.
gets his full salary. The union also In
sists upon a uniform scale OF prices and
maintains IL. The Hungarians play light
music. but whether IL Is any better than
that furnished by the Germans f. a ques-
ton OF individual taste.
Among the new hotels that have adopt
ed musical features this season are the
Stewart house. the Marlborough, the
Brevoot. the Empire. the St. Andrews
and the Vendome. With the Introduction
OF music most of the hotels have found
other changes necessary. One OF these
is the establishment of table d'hote din
ners and lunches. These vary IN price
from rs cents 20 $3.50 each. with wine.
the quality OF the latter being regulated
by the price of the meal Half portions
are also served TO those whose appetites
DO not require the fully supply. This IL
practical economy and IL attracting a new
class OF trade 10 the houses where II has
been introduced.
The craze for things oriental has also
hotels. Japanese or Turkish coffee rooms
I'm which men accompanied by ladies'
smoke. are found In most OF the houses.
especially those who cater for family
trade. This. like the other features al
luded 10 above. has been the outcome OF
growing demand for something new
and novel In the construction OF ORR
entail rooms artistic taste Is called into
play. and harmony OF colors In carpets
furniture. decorations and drapery Is nee
essary. n the desired effects are to be
had These new features are not well
come by many OF the hotel men. as they
are costly and do not allow a CORES
ponding Increase OF rates. This year.
nevertheless. the majority OF hotels are
getting better prices for their accommo-
dstions than they have for several pre-
vious years. The increase In prices de-
handed by the new uptown houses varies
from 10 TO 3 per cent. But this does not
seem TO AFFECT the patronage In the least.
as most OF the hotels have better pros
poets than ever before.