The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-06-04
KICKING POST Of TRAVEL.
MANIFOLD DUTIES AND TRIALS OF
THE HOTEL CLERK.
Frank r. Jago, Formerly Of the Raj
nser-Grand, In This City, Com
tributes nm Interesting Article 70
the Hotel World, Of Chicago.

An interesting article on THE Hotel
Clerk" giving some idea OF his multifarious
duties and trials. appears In the twelfth
anniversary number Of the Hotel World.
issued in Chicago. May 20. The article Is
written by Frank E. Jago. formerly clerk
Of the Rainier Grand hotel. In this city.
and well known here. He IL now In the
Wellington hotel, Chicago. and an idea OF
his popularity there Is gained from the
following personal mention he received In
the Hotel World OF the same issue:
.Mr Frank e. Jagc. chief clerk OF the
Wellington, Chicago, has never before
written for this paper, but hss article a,s,ne
to say and knows how 10 say II. He has
a wide circle OF acquaintance. Tor ne
never forgets man that he desires TO re-
member. and his handsome and striking
features make him equally remembered by
others His only weakness is that he be
fteves Seattle. his former home. Ia soon to
become one OF the greatest cities IN tho
world"
The contribution on hotel work by Mr..
Jago Is as follows:
Subject to Much Criticism.
''Ycur request for my views relative to
the duties. trials and tribulations OF the
hotel clerk Is accepted in the hope that !
may hear from others more experienced
and who might possibly advance some Ideas
which Will prove OF inestimable benefit TO
a subject which permits Of much latitude.
The hotel clerk holds position which
brings him before the public eye: and -.
| therefore. subject TO much criticism. lie
| must be alert. active. discreet versatile.
F, petite. patient, good-nasured and well post
| ed in general Information. These are all
| necessary requisites. and absolutely indts-
| pensaele 20 the makeup OF successful
| man in the Office He must be quick To
| discern az all times. He must be able ia
| distinguish the stars on arrival 81 theat-
ricai guests. he must be able TO tell when
| couple arrives whether they are man
| and wife or single man and wife There
ss much 10 see and iearn--something new
The dusAs. trials and fluctuations OF a
| hotel clerk are many and various The
duties which naturally pertain TO the pc-
| ettion arr not necessarily burdensome. II
IL what Is imposed on the clerk by ths
travelling public that makes hts life one o!
nevsr~ceasinx resnonsihilsy: which adds
10 the trouble OF an otherwise tranquil life
| and impresses on his features the perpetual
| smile: which - the distinguishing feature
Of competent nsn-nos the bargain coun
| ter smile. but the benign smile OF the father
! eSnfesser the resignes. smile Of the re-
ceieer o. complaints. the Jolly smile OF the
coed fellow.
stream Of Travel.
The duties expected 81 clerk by the
| proprietor who hires him are vastly az
feren, from these expected 81 him by ;hs
guests he serves TIE proprietor Is ga
eoshiy. gauges the character and wants o!
guests ana preserves the order and morals
| Of the hotel. but ROW much more sSscttns
are the requirements Of the travelling pub
ici That is where the trials eome THE
| stream II travel 10 perennial stream o.
| trshsiatio- fer the clerk: An eserpow ERIN
| stream which he must continually breast
| ssngss-handesi: once he allows Il TO over
eouse him his usefaluess r. a. an end: orcs
| Ne sinks beneath r. no rolling over q bar
| rel viii restore his wind.
To meet thr requirements q he fESv-
7 cling public be mus: BE nire~dsy won
! der. Re must have A knowledge 81 huEra =
/ character and ready fund Of diploma
! ~sseh would sssct politician 10 the pre-
/ s5HnSy, rs astRt have a fund Of inser,rs-
! tsoa which weai be swsune "a the eii-
| ter Of an encyclopedia: he must possess a
| degree ~ Safsnsse patience which in Itself
! would sixsfc.s TIRE Arguments 81 the AZ
nestle AGAINST the divine origin ~ man,
| ard rnus keep tap a ssssiI1g fountain
cssaie every fovfarn Traveller whose bleed.
ing Aeast rsssrs cat confidence in r~spar~e
/ 10 The ssntsn eyns1e. Tire hefst clerk ls a
repository Of Aarea wees. II the young
rssa l. crossed 10 fese he 3ersaS - sis trsa
bsss with the sxmrAfaetse essxk. X there
| - a Skeleton In the family eiassx he shrsaxsx
/ st into fAe aar~say wrecked frame ~ the
1 clerk o.. ar urwaAr5ed maue1t. Rgs above
al. IL sAIrxx DO nca 70 Ia @ass the guest.
/ Ire clerk 10 aur< to BE he'd responsible
! Ard Ia hear srum A.m. II the baggage goes
k<sray. |. tAe hotel Laundry 1c<A nos act
/ with nxasniag rAsa4tsy. II . meat 4ssaxrees
| With hsrs shs Clerk ~ The convsrss1k kick
{ tng pest vas<a ~ 0eAA An The &asnGA