New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-26
SEVERE CRITICISM BY HOTEL MEN.


THE PROVISIONS OF THE RAINEs ACT DISCUSSED
NATURE OF THE PENALTY c1AUsE-A STATE
MENr THAT MIR. PLATT HAS PROM
IsED AN AMENDMENT.
The Ranes law as It affects the hotel-keepers OF
New-York has been thoroughly discussed by the
hotel men, and their almost unanimous opinion Is
that the act is unjust. and will do them more har
than good In talking with number OF hotel men
not single word IN defence Of the bill was heard
While the hotel propretors have not decided upon
any line of action As they unit in opposing
the measure they will doubtless do all in their
power 10 have 1t changed. far as possible. 10
conform TO their ideas Of Justice. The Hote Mems
Association Is a powerful organization. and upon
several occasions IN which the hotel business OF
New-York concerned II has been instrumental
in moulding legislation.
Hiram Hitchcock one OF the Oldest hotel men in
the CITY, and the head of the firm that controls the
Fifth Avenue Hotel. when asked yesterday ABOUT
the probable effect OF the Raines law upon MS
business replied that II was hard to tell "hat
would be the outcome. He added: 1t Is too early
70 say anything definite, and you can only surmise
There Is only one thing to say, and that is that
the law is a bad il is bad in every way, ard
the consensus Of opinion among me hotei men Oh
tina city is that 1t will be unsatisfactory When
Mr. Hitchcock was asked In what particular Inc
the law especially obnoxious, nc replied tha'
n would take lco long 20 enumerate all It's faus'
,,ut added: 1.-The measure direct violation OF all
ideas Of home rule 1t was cooked up Tor US WIN
out our wishes being known 1t Is unjust IN that IL
does not give equa. chances TO various hquoF-
dealers do not know what will be the result.
but the whole idea OF the bill is repugnant ana IN
violation Of ones ideas about self-gove-nment
George C. Boldt proprietor Of the Hotel Waldorf,
who when the annex to the Waldorf is completed.
and also his hotel which Is being erected by
John Jacob Aston, will control the largest hotei
property in the United States had some cutting re-
marks TO mako about the Raines law. he SAID:
"What we most particularly object to is the penalty
clause and the fact that the provisions OF the bill
drag US down to the level Of mere saloonkeepe's
The penalty clause provides that any hotel man VINO
violates the law. even In the slightest manner, Dy
keeping open after hours. selling on Sunday, or In
any other way may have his license revoked Tor
five years. That penalty clause might be all right
in the case of a man who runs little barroom. and
n there all the time himself. As Is. have more
than seven hundred employees on my payroll hero
/ am not omnipresent ! cannot see everything and
bs everywhere. My bartender may err. clock
may be wrong, a dozen and one things may hap
Den over which have control and yet may be
held liable for an infracton Of the law. reason
able penalty / would be willing 10 pay for any
negligence OF my employees In not obeyng strict
orders about observing the letter OF the law. but
do not want any such blight as the one provided 10
fall upon me on account OF this. The whole law Is
feulty and unjust. 1t drives out OF the business
man who makes a scanty living and gives TO those
who already have enough We may get moro Dusi-
ness on account of it, but that remains to be SEEN
Mr. Boldt was asked II the penalty clause. as he
explained It, would lead to protest from the hote
men, He made this reply: "The clause as 1t stands
Is obnoxious and drags US down TO the level OF
erog- seller, but we have told our complaint, ina
Mr. Plstt has promised that the fault shall be rect-
fed"
Mr. Kinsley one Of the proprietors OF the Holland
House, In commenting upon the law said that not
lxasni
had heard many Of his guests complain about the
law and they seemed 10 be as bitter against IL as
any one. He added: The law Is manifesty unjust
II IL an application OF the old 3crptural saying that
given to those that have much. do not know that
our business will be materially helped by the law.
hut IL will wipe out many small dealers VINO &C.
pended upon the low license and smaii trainc ior
in talking with hotel men find that they as unit
are opposed TO the law.
A. Godehaud. of the Hotel Brunswick said that
out Of every 100 persons who shouted against the
Ranes law perhaps only about 10 per cent knew The
provisions of the act He added that II all knew the
true import Of the law the protests would be louder
He said: "As understand It, upon certain date.
granted will cost $500 In NewYork and 500 In Brook,
yn All excise boards over the State VIII be wiped
out, and excise commissioner Will be appointed
autocras Does that little Interpretation seem Just
san snoshe aesorans s to he cy was ali
right to allow small dealer 70 pay small license.
Is manifestly unjust. and, moreover. II builds up
that they please. We may thrive on It and get
more business. but It wipes out many small
James Breslin. Of the Gilssy House. who Is Prssi.