The Washington times., 1903-01-28
HOUSEHOLDERS TO BE
ASKED TO PREVENT
TOLLS TO SERVANTS
War Against Perquisites to
Be Carried Into Homes.
SfSTEMATiZED ROBBERY
Commissions Paid to Domestics by
Dealers in Provisions Add Many
Dollars to Employers Bills

The fight Of provision dealers against
the payment of commissions to house
/ keepers, cooks, and others for the trade
which they control is likely to be car
ried to the employers of those domes-
tics.
A number of the dealers who have
seen their trade gradually dwindling
away because of their refusal to meet
thc demands of the house help are de-
termtned to bring their troubles to the
attention of those who pay the bills and
seek their cooperation in ending the
difficulty These house owners viii be
shown that money is unnecessarily
taken out of their pockets and that
smaller hCusehoIders. who co not employ
such help. nevertheless are affected
introduced by French Chefs.
The practice was introduced here by
the French chefs who look upon the
commission as a just pcrquisite. The ex-
tent to which it has spread and the enO--
nous ramificattons attending it are be
yond the conception OF those who are not
familiar with it
It IS authoritativeIy stated that the
proprietor Of one of the uptown stores
on the first of the month paid out in
commissions over $50 in cash. The coz
dition is q system OF robbery 10 which
/ the dealers of the entire city must re
sort unless they. succeed in arousing the
people to a realization Of the infamy.
Experiences of Dealers.
A number Of the prominent butchers
/ in the Center Market were visited this
morning, and there was not one who
had not felt the ba2efuI effects of the
imposition.
Walter Brown, one of the butchers
catering to the highest class OF trade
has been waging war on the practice
for several years. As much as five
years ago he took his first stand with
the family Of the British ambassador
Lady Pauncefote had barely estab-
Iished new cook in the house when
Mr. Brown was visited by the new
conner with a demand for 10 per cent
commission on the supplies. She threat
ened that unless he acquiesced she
would take the trade away from him
Several days later Sir Julian sent for
the butcher to inquire why the roasts
he was supplying had become so taste /
/ less. The situation was explained and
with the advent Of q new cook the diff
Guilty was remedied.
Left Matters to Servant
/ ] H Johnson, another prominent
/ butcher. had q somewhat different expe-
/ rience. Following her return from on
/ extended trip 10 Europe one Of his best
/ customers brought with her a new
/ houseEeeper. 4 demand of 10 per cent
commission on the part of the house
/ keeper and its refusal was followed by
/ the withdrawal Of the trade
+ Mr.. Johnson brought the matter to the
attention OF his customer. who said that
she left the purchases entirely with the
/ |housekeeper and had no time 10 attend
/ to such matters. This LADY has since
/ then been regularly paying an average
/ of S25 month more for her supplies.
+ an excess that went into the pocket Of
one whom she was already paying lib
/ orally.
William F. Hunt is another Of the
butchers who has lost trade because Of
/ his refusal TO purchase trade.
| Il take pleasure he said this morn
/ ing, in some instances, IN making Iil.Ie
! presents to those who are iutrusted
/ with the buying. When it comes. now
! ever, 10 paying $50 a month for an ac-
count of $3.50 or $500 no dealer can do
/ it and be honest with his customers.
Trade Generally Injured.
I have suffered in several instances
+ from the encroachments OF the commts-
sion payer. in most instances the up
I town store. Dealers furnishing the en-
tire supplies for the house are able to
make more than butchers in The market
who only handle meats"
Charles Z. EbeI, c. c. Carroll. and
many other butchers told of the fire.
quent demands made upon them. and said
/ that they knew of many instances where
/ commissions are paid. They. with other
[ dealers. are determined to carry to the
( end the fight which has been instituted
/ by the Retail Butchers and Meat Deal
/ ers' Protective Association
I