Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-13
walters of New Orleans and other south
ern cities We're. famed throughout the La NJ

walters OF New orleans and other south
ern cities We're famed throughout the land.
Inquiry among the hotels and restaurants
ard places where the head walters resort
off hours indicates that the chiefs of
6'ning room service have a fairly good
grasp upon the comforts and even Injuries
of the world. They are well salaried and
supreme in their sphere. Their word is
law. and there Is but one drawback to their
sovereignty. A head waiter can fire" but
he cannot hire.
1.-THE head waiter in frst-class hotel'
said the manager Of downtown hosiery,
lis paid from $50 to 500 a month and
board. Figure up what it costs man for
board outside, and you will see that the ay-
erage clerk or bookkeeper has a small in
come in comparison with a head waiter.
He Is in full charge of all the subordi-
nate walters, is responsible for everything
that goes on in the dining room, and can
discharge any waiter who comes under his
displeasure. But he cannot engage any
body. He is thus prevented from letting
out competent help merely that friends of
his may get the jobs. When he needs help
he makes out. card stating how many
men he needs, sends it to the office and the
men are engaged.
"a really Al head waiter is worth his
salary. There Is something about his mas
Sfve dignity, his perfect control of his sub
ordinates. his attention to the comfort and
enjoyment Of guests that gives the patrons
feeling OF ease and pleasure. They like
to eat in place where every detail is seen
tizes them. They believe that he makes it
a special point to find them the best seats,
to send them the cleverest and quickest
walters. to see that nothing is too hot or
too cold, and that the best portions Of
everything are served at their particular
table The head waiter is a necessity.
Second walters get $45 a month and
board-not bad wages, either. We do not
allow tipping. Yes, 1 know that the aver
age waiter cannot resist a tip and will
naturally do his best for a patron whom
he knows to be liberal Upper. The head
waiter, fully believe, always does his best
not to see the other walters accepting any
tips. 1t would not be policy for him to
hover, hawklke, in the asles and stop
every man who was accepting money-so,
irrespective of the rules, he forgets to look
at the man who is taking dime or
quarter. =, +.
'In hotels where indiscriminate tipping
goes on at all fines a second waiter will
about equal his salary with tips-that is to
say, his income from gifts per month will
he from $40 10 so. l do not think that
head walters y,exaGt percentage of tips
from their assistants, although 1 have
heard rumors}pf such. doings."
particularly ststely head waiter declared
that his professon was one in which no
ordinary man could hope to shine.
ITO be a success head waiter, and
to gain the salary which is attached to the
position" said he. "a man must be suave,
quick witted sandJ commanding. He must
be able to enforce perfect obedience among
his walters without having to bully them
or threaten to fire them half the time.
He must be man of good appearance
that goes without saying. No one of scrub
by or, undignitifd, appearance could hold
the respect Of hts employes or act in a
manner pleasing to the diners.
MANY head walters are wealthy, and
several men have bought hotels of their
own, in two or three cases the very hotels
in which they We're employed. A man In
such a position should be able to save
large percentage of his salary. and the
knowledge which he gains during his career
as a head waiter should certainly fit him
for the ultimate control of a hotel or res
taurant.
IT do not believe that many second wait
ers graduate to the rank of head waiter.
Good head walters are born, not made, and
fit naturally into their positions.
Tips? Well. in New York, Washington
or New Orleans tips will run from $50
month upward. I do not think they will
average more than $50 month in Chicago.
No. the head waiter does not demand
percentage from his subordinates. Unless
he could keep an eagle eye on every waiter
and note down the exact amount each man
received he could not get a fair percentage
the men would knock down on him and
not report one-f1fth Of the tips presented
them. The head waiter himself occasion
ally receives handsome gifts from old pat
rons, but he does not figure on such things
as a rule. He does not need to-