Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1900-07-05

decline to surrender to the servants
receive scant courtesy.
In the barber shop of a hotel one
day recently the writer noticed that
the shop boy failed to brush the coat
of one of the customers, although he
diligently brushed the apparel of
others. The proprietor of the shop
was asked about it, and he replied:
"Of course the boys cannot live with
out money. 1 pay them no salary,
and they live on what tips they can
pick up. That man has never given
one nickel to the shop boys, and they
needn't brush him if they don't want
to. He is too mean to live"
What do you think of that? The
proprietor backs the boys in their
work of preying on the public. He
considers him a mean man who does
not give away money to support the
boys who ought to be paid by their
employer. Moreover, the hotel pro-
prietors wink at the conduct of their
walters, chambermaids and other en-
ployes. When any guest complains
at the hotel Office he is smilingly as
sured that all faults shall be correct
ed, but nothing is done. The propri-
etors, and head clerks, and room
clerks, and head walters all conspire
to continue the system of larceny.
One of our prominent statesmen,
who is a man of great wealth, will
attend the Paris exposition, accom-
panied by his family, very soon after
the adjournment of congress. In
private conversation concerning the
proposed trip he said: "The robbers
in Paris will reap rich harvests this
year. In addition to my regular eX-
penses, which will be rather large,
have set aside 81 900 to be used in
tips for the garcons. That will
probably be enough to cover expenses
of that character. 1 not only fee
the walters and all employees in sight,
but give money to the head cook and
assistant cooks, whom the general
public never see. My walters will
then tell the cook for whom the or
ders are given, and my meals will
come upon the table in perfect con-
dition to tempt the appetite, and
everything will be clean. Men who
can afford to travel can also afford to
pay for cleanliness. Hotel kitchens
are not always scrupulously neat,
even in the best hotels. In giving |
away money for comforts the cooks
should never be overlooked"
Thus, you see, the people recognize |
the evil, and pander TO it, because even |
the wealthy seem to be powerless in |
the hands of these robbers who stand |
athwart the highway and demand your
money or threaten your discomfort.
There is a senator of whom mention
has often been made in these columns
as one of the bravest of brave men,
who resides at hotel with his wife
and two daughters. He pays $3.50 per
month for rooms and board. But the
bell boys of the hotel know that when
ever his bell rings, no matter whether
II is the senator or a member of his
family, silver quarter will be forth
coming every time. Only by thus pan
dering to the rascally condition can he
be always sure of prompt and faithful
attention.
Take the advice of experience, and
when you come to the national capital
pc prepared to be robbed. 1t will be
useless for you TO set your foot down
md declare as emphatically as Mr.
Bowser that you will never submit to
such extortion. 1t will be useless for
you to complain to the hotel proprietor
or manager. II you want prompt serv-
ce and courteous treatment under all
circumstances, you will submit meek
y. Otherwise you will have cold rolls
Ind lukewarm coffee or tea, cold roast
Or overdone steak or chops, and exas-
dilatory service.
SMITH D. FRY