The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-19
THE BONlFACES MEET.
Kansas and Missouri Hotel
Keepers at Kansas City.

Kansas City. Dec. 19-The Kansas and
Missouri Hotelmens ASSOCIATE held its
annual meeting in Kansas City yester-
day. The meeting really lapses [ er to-
day, but all the business was finished
yesterday, so today will be given up to
pleasure. Seventy-five bonifaces are
here, many with their wives, and they
certainly are enjoying their stay. They
put through an enormous amount of
work yesterday in a very short while,
and while they did considerable that
will be of good to all concerned, they
also had lots of pleasure with it. Their
sessions we're in the forenoon, late in the
afternoon and late at night, for the final
one did not convene till after the theater
last night. They elected new officers
and named their executive board, which
is really the moving power of the asso-
citation. For pleasure, they had a dinner
at the Coates, the women took tea at
the tea room, and all went to the Willis
Wood last night in body. Afterwards
they had supper at the Coates, which
was a long and merry one.
The new officers are: Ben G. Veith,
Madison house, jefferson City. presi-
dent; c. L. Wood. Topeka, secretary and
treasurer.
One of the most interesting papers
was read by F. M. Curtis. of the Cope
land hotel Topeka. 1t related to "Tele-
phone Companies and What They
Should Pay for Hotel Privileges" Mr.
Curtis referred to the telephone as the
most variable little big thing the hotel
has On its hands Sometimes it is 81
paradox, being not only thing of
beauty and joy forever. but an ever
lasting curse and annoyance. Judging
from his paper. the proprietor Of the
Copeland has had his share of difficulty
with guests, women especially, who use
the telephone for an hour or more at a
time. On tie other hand. he recon-
mended it as an excellent thing by
which the night clerk can keep up a
conversation with central and so break
the monotony of the hours.
Mr.. Curtis believes that telephone
companies should be willing to pay
something for the privilege of having
long distance instruments in hotels un-
less they are pay phones and require no
attention from the hotel people. Such q
phone, he said. is almost necessary, be-
cause the expenses of operation are in
creasing. while the hotels can not raise
their rates. On this point he said:
The question may well be asked: When
VIII these things end? Does the hotel of
today make as much money as under the
old regime when the landlord rang his bell
for meal hours, lighted his guests to bed
with candle or mopped up the floor with
his customerS% In passing this question
we should keep in mind this TACT: How
much can we spare to our guests and now
much must We give up to hold cur trade
and compete with our neighbors?' %
PROGRAMME OF THE CONVENTION.
The programme, as outlined is as fol-
lows:
Opening address, by the president, F. P.
EVILS
-'Objects and Advantages of a Well Or
ganized Hotel Association;' Charles L
a Bus and Baggage Lines, and Should
Hotels Operate Them?' Ben G. Veith,
DISTINGUISHING by Machinery" E. K. Cri-
ley, Coates house. Kansas City, Mo.
Telephone Companies and What They
Should Pay for Hotel Privileges" F. NJ.
Curtis, Copeland hotel, Topeka.
SHOULD Theatrical Companies Receive
Lower Rates Than Other Patrons?" B. L.
Eaton, Carey hotel. Wichita, Kan.
Better Fellowship Among Hotel Men,
]. R. Hankla, Fifth Avenue hotel. Topeka,
Kan.
Help Department: Kind of Help and
FHo How Maintained, George ]. I Boone, jr,
The Most Practical Method of Wan
DECORATION for Public Rooms" D; J. Dean
Baltimore hotel, Kansas City. Mo-
Should Hotels Operate Their Own Priv
Heges. Such as Bar, Barber Shop, Cigar
Stands. etc-?" w B. Miller, Commercial
hotel, Paola, Kan.
How to Beat the Deadbeat'' 1. W.
Huckins, Hotel Huclxins, Sedalia, Mo.
General Discussion