The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-17
LOOTERS OF THE HOTELS.
Women Particularly Active in Taking
Tableware az Souvenirs.
New York Sun.

New York Sun.
One need not go to China to study the
ethics of loot and the psychology of the
locter. The managers and stewards of the
hotels of New York could give full inforna-
ton upon these subjects; but the urbanity
of their craft would perhaps lead them to
speak of souvenirs and souvenir collectors
instead of loot and looters II costs one
Fifth-avenue hotel $4,000 year to replace
the various small articles it's patrons carry
off. Silver spoons, knives and forks, wine
glasses, ash trays, match Safes table linen.
even coffee pots and tea pitchers are
taken.
'Oh, they're not particular about the size
of thing explained one steward; any
thing that isn't nailed down viii do The
last run has been on fancy line or cream
jugs we've just put in. But our orange
spoons and fruit knives have always been
deseryedly popular.
This tendency on the part of guests is
met in Fifth-avenue hotel and in an
other on Broadway IN novel fashion The
stewards make note OF the little things
which may be admired and send them to
their guests in boxes kept on hand for the
purpose. And such farewell offerings are
doubtless often enough very good invest
mentS. Other hotels. again, which are less
fond of making entries in their profit and
loss columns. allow their guests to purchase
articles that have pleased their fancy. Even
in the most charitable OF houses IL must be
mucn his collection is charged to him.
This is delicate matter. however" said
one informant land it calls for fine
discriminating. The black sheep of a proIni-
nent family might purloin a great deal dur
ing a short stay with us, and we would not
speak of ii, but cheeky unknown from no.
where. If he took only quarter as much,
would have his account sent in short order.
Everything is taken. We used at one time
handsome brass cuspidors which cost $40
dozens but so many men packed them away
in their valiSes when they left that were
obliged TO substitute porcelain ones. One
not lost heavily from Souvenir nends TIL
and substituted manipulated ware. Then
he marked several hundred large spoons.
Take one and the result was what he
pected-they were all left on his hands"
Proprietors and stewards agree that wom-
en- are the greatest purloiners. Much of the
silver and china lost vanshes when meals
are served them in their rooms. 1t Is the
souvenir value and not the money valae of
the thing taken which has depleted the ma
| jority of hotel sldeboards. The name of the
| house-providcd, OF course. that IL be
| famous one-only makes article the more
valuable. Some time ago q young New
! Yorker of distinctly original genius set out
to furnish the small silver for the table of
prospective bride. He collected a spoon
here. a knife there, and a fork from some
place else He was also able to present the
| spoons, and four tablespoons: they were
marked with the names of thirty more
hotels and restaurants When she is GER
| tain that 1t is safe she sets the table with
! them. and prides herself these stolen
fruits.
| The wine cup seems to have great power
| to increase the ardor of the souvenir coll
lector. The other night three youths had
a dinner i'm the cafe of a prominent hotel
| On the table was heavy brass match safe
marked with the name of the house. This
one of the happiest of the youths appro-
| priated. The party went from the hotel TO
man exhibited his booty with much tri-
umph, and finally left 1t at a third res
taurant Thence II was returned to the
| hotel 1T had from with the story of
| its wanderngs The same night waiter
| at the same house recovered from another
| jolly fellow a. So silver pepper shaker, and
| put aside huge beer glass from German
| Broadway restaurant. II was so large that
| it seemed impossible for any to get
| will take things quite openly. waiter in
| dumb by the cool impudence of a new
| patron.
Just as the young gent was leaving"
| he said, ..he turns to me and hands me a
| big silver spoon off the table. Go and wash
| 1t and bring it back says he. / done 1t.
and that fellow put Ii in. his pocket. but
toned up his coat and walked out. 1 was
so stunned that couldn't say word One
| place uptown. where / used 10 work they
mugs at $40 dozen was nothing at all. AT
| another old place of mine we had one man
searched and he had seven napkins on
| him. / know A place little furder down,
where they got gross of salt shakers with
| sterling silver tops last year. and in two
months they gone. Eight dozen
swiped the first week.