Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-07-11
PATRONS OF CHEAP HOTELS.
Something About the Methods of op-
 erating Them.

erating Them.
 Tn a large hotel it is usually neces- sary to have a joIly-faced clerk to hand out compliments to the guests. In a hotel Of the and O-cent grade a man does not have to be jolly. He needs to look just as cross as he can; frighten the prospective customer half to death, if necessary. There is no use in let ting the patron off with five cent bed when he has 25 cents in his pocket The clerk in one of those cheap lodg- ing-houses is generally expected to work in his shirt sleeves. If he will only wear a sweater he may be reason ably sure of holding his job for life time. A sweater, so the owner of a cheap hotel thinks, makes a man look muscular and if there is anything began or a bum will refuse to talk back to it is 8 man wearing a sweater.
 A mans face plays an important part in getting a job as clerk in one of these places. One of the places that was visited in Buffalo claimed to have all the comforts of home The reporter received a welcome that would have frozen pail of hot water However, the clerk explained later that the reporter was suspected of be- ing a health inspector. The red signs outside announced that fine beds could be had for five cents, finer ones for 10 cents, still finer ones for 15 cents On the table in the center of the office were few daily papers and two cop- ies of the Congressional Record. The papers were on racks. The racks were attached to the chairs by long chain, and the chairs were nailed to the floor. It was explained that when that particular lodging house started in business the papers were not put in racks. When it was discovered that they were being carried out and sold by the guests, the racks were brought into play. One day guest stole rack and all, so the chains were adopted, with the result that to steal a newspaper it was necessary to steal chair. One night one of the guests stole chair and all, with the result that the mailing was brought into use. To get newspaper out of this lodging house it would probably be necessary to steal the floor.
 Over the clerks desk was a big sign: Guests will pay before retiring. We know all our customers is honest, but we ain't taking any chances '' Another sign that is in a conspicuous place heads like this: Guests can ex- pect to be searched before leaving the hotel" Whats the search for was asked of the clerk. That's q new sign," explained the clerk. ''We didn't do that until we found that some of our guests were carrying off the bedclothes and swapping them for drinks. Now if any of our customers look any too stout when they go out in the morning, why, we just holds them up"
 Whats the difference between the 15 and 20-cent beds?" the clerk was asked. "See here," said the clerk, "If you was going to occupy one of them tonight I'd give you the regu- lar spiel about the springs being finer and all that, but between you and me the only difference seems to be that on the Decent ones the clothes are changed every week, whether they need it or not. and the 15-cent beds have to wait until they get change" :" tfHow long between changes the clerk was asked. Say, now young fellow, Pm willing to give you all the information that you want about this lodging house, but 1 can't be giving away state secrets"
 Here was one of the signs on the third floor: "Snorers take notice. We'll stand for you if the guests will, but if any guest makes holler you'll have to get out No money refunded. '' Another one that proved of interest was this: Watch your clothes. Guests are notified that in no case will the house be responsible for clothes. If you want to make sure of getting them in the morning, keep them on Any how you'll be warmer
 That's a new sign too,'' explained the clerk We made good for a couple of coats around here. One morning some particular duck loses his pants and his coat then we thought it was time to call a halt. If they lose their clothes now they can go next door and borrow a barrel. 1"
 Af f14n end Of the big room was n