The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-18

eriH room. tho writing room and all of the
places and things that help to make him
comfortable and to give him sense of good
living. 1t is the front OF the house" that
IS the key TO the hotel situation, for there
the incoming guest IL received and 1t is
there that his principal impressions OF the
hotel itself are formed. It is the front OF
tire house fhat makes the hotels reputa-
ton while 1t is the back OF the house"
that maintains it and spends all the money
taken IN at the front" The chief clerk
controls the destinies OF the front" He
must be a genial sort 'of person with the
sbilitt-f S"size up" people at a glance. and
he is not the finished article unless he can
make the incoming guest feel. without CIV
ing any ofense that the hotel is entirely
at the disposal of the newcomer. 1t is won
derful how expert some clerks become in
ssearning within FIVE minutes time almost
the tastes and foibles of the guests and OF
entering to them in a quiet. tactful way.
Hospitality must not be thrust upon the
average American traveller in ''glad-hand"
sort OF manner. for he doesn't like that kind
of thing at all. He wants to be treated
royalty. it's true, but he prefers to have
the attentions and kindnesses come In an
American hotel clerk is no more; he wore
a loud necktie and diamond ring of the
size of a strawberry; he wore an everlast-
ing smile OF the 'jollying'' kind, and he
wore everybody out, himself included. The
clerk OF to-day is polite, well-bred. we'll
dressed.
STUDY HUMAN NATURE.
Everybody connected with big hotel Is
zfr,
clerks. bookkeepers, belIboys, porters. bag
rage handlers-all are close students Of
humanity. and it Is largely on the success
of their studies that the reputation Of the
hotel depends. The second impression made
npon the guest when he gets away from
The front Of the house" is the condition
OF his bedroom into which he is ushered
esfter trip in the elevator. The army of
help required TO keep the bedrooms, halls.
dining and lodging rooms clean and at
traciivs tn appearance is amazing to the
outsider. There are chambermaids. scrub
women. housemen and hall girls. all Of
them doing their work in such a quiet sort
OF way that the guest is scarcely aware OF
their presence in the building.
The guest never sees the back of the
house at all. This Is in charge OF the
head steward. who is an all-important per-
eonage in the running OF big hostelry.
He takes command OF the kitchen. bakery,
bars and wine cellar, and is also general
superintendent Of the laundry, housekeep-
er's department and engine room. Every
morning he receives acquisitions from the
various departments. which he must sup
ply. the most important OF which comes
from the chief cook. He is obliged to fur
nish enough food daily to supply a small
town, for he must also see that the army
Of employees, in the building is provided
properly with their meals. While Indian
apolis is not much OF wine-drinking town,
still the cellars of the big hotels must keep
well stocked with the finest vintages, for
many of the travellers visiting the city are
accustomed to the best Of wines with every
dinner. The chief steward is not a success
in his chosen vocation unless he is a good
Judge OF all wines.
taThis city is fortunate in having such
good hotels, as poor ones do a city great
deal of harm. The travelling public likes
TO come to indianapolis, and when the
elegant new hostelry is ready for occu-
pancy indianapolis will be splendidly
equipped 10 entertain it's visitors.