The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-11-06
COSTLY FAOS IN HOTELS

Although much OF ire business com Pc
tition between local hotel men is Of q
friendly nature. it is gradually and rap
idly undergoing such change that the
profits will soon be reduced to q mini
mum. Every succeeding year finds such
alterations, Improvements and innova-
tions necessary that any progressive bOni-
face can i'll afford to Ignore taem. Just
now q number of features are being forced
on sumo Of these caterers, through their
introduction by others in past seasons,
and while they can scarcely fail to attract
attention and meet with approval they
are very expensive. One of these is the
prevailing oustoin of having daily concerts
at hotels. In some of the larger houses
morning, afternoon aud evening concerts
are given; at others the program 10 con-
fined to lunch and dinner hours, but in
the majority of them 1t mas become O
nightly feature only.
The popularity of music in hotels is
evident from the rapidlty of the demand
by few standard hotels, but 1t never
became as popular as now, and was com.
paratively unknown to the majority of
people. A lew years ago it WAS again
brought forward at ons OF the modern
hotels, and every succeeding season since
others have followed the example,. With
the demand for music there has aslo been
an improvement in its style. There has
also been an improvement in the nature
of that given for the entertainments of
guests. From the piano or mandolin to
full orchestra have been the strides
made, and now classic music, as we'll as
popult airs, add to the attraction. The
better the music, too, the greater the
profit, as many persons are attracted to
the cafes, dining rooms and restaurants
who have for years been accustomed to
dining eisew here.
At present the music at the leading
hotels is monopolized by Germans and
lively unknown here seven years ago, but
since then they have assumed such po-
sition as to make it an open question a.
to which is the most popular. The Hun
garian gvpsies are, however, crowding
tseir Teuton rivals out Of this branch of
restaurants havo orchestras made up of
this class OF musicians. They are all
under the leadership Of DR.. Sommsr, and
are formed into a union for self-pYotsc-
tion. Every day this leader acts as the
unions walking delegate, as we'll rs its
director. and visits every place whore his
men are engaged. II there IS any COM
plant to be made or fault to be found
with any of his men he rem dies it with
out delay. If q man 10 taken sick q SUBJ
stitute takes his place, and the former.
during his frat two weeks illness gets
his full salary. The union also insists
upon q Uniform SC ale OF prices and main.
tains it. The Hugarians play light mu.
sic, whether it is any better than that
furnished by the Germans 10 o question
OF individual taste.
Among the new hotels that-havs adopt
cd musical features this season are the
Stewart hoase, the Marlborough, the Bre-
WORT, the Empire. The st. Andrews and
the Vendome. With the Introduction of
music most OF the hotels have found 9th.
er changes necessary. One of these Is the
Establishment Of table d'hote dinners and
lnnohes. These vary IN price from IS
cents to 50. so each, with wine, the quail
price OF the meal. Halt portions are also
served to those whose appetites do not
require the full supply. This IS practical
economy and is attracting a new class OF
trade to tho houses where it has been IN
troducsd.
The craze for things oriental has also
been developed in a marked extent in ho-
tells. Japanese OF Turkish coffee rooms,
in which men accompanied by ladies
smoke, are fund in most of the houses,
especially those who cater for family
trade. This, like tho other features al
growing demand for something nav
and. novel. In the construction OF orien.
tai rooms artistic taste Is called into
play, and harmony OF colors in carpets,
furniture, decorations and drapery is
necessary, If the desired effects are to be
had. These new features are not vel
coined by manylof the hotel mon. az they
are costly and DO not allow correspond
ing increase Of rates. This year never.
thsless. the majority OF hotels are getting
better prices for their accom- n odations
than :hey haze for several previous
years. The increase in prices dsma ded
by the new uptown houses varies from
10 to rs per cent. But this does not seem
to affect the patronage in the least. as
most Of the hotels have better prospects
than ever before.-New York Telegram.