The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-16
THE PROFESSIONAL ESCORT.
An Agency i'm New York which Has
Plenty of business.
New York Mail and Express.


Plenty OF Business.
New York Mail and Express.
One of the most extraordinary occupa-
tions by which nearly a hundred New
York men earn an honest living. is that of
professional escort" During the present
summer this peculiar avocation Is being fol-
lowed to "A surprising extent and porVing
profitable to scores Of impecunious young
men of polished manners and pleasing ap-
pearance, not a few, of them being actors
out Of engagements.
The notion is OF English Importation. In
London, where il is not considered good
form for ladies TO visit theaters and en-
tertainments. or even TO go shopping, unac-
by a gentleman, the professional
escort has long been an established insti-
tuition. In New York there are now two
thoroughly reputable and recognized agen-
oies for the supplying of male attendants
upon ladies visiting the city, for business or
pleasure. and who have not the advantage
of friends or acquaintances OF the sterner
sex. These establishments-one with an
office on Sixth avenue, Just east OF Broad
way, and the other run under the auspices
of a big department store-are conducted
upon the most strict and orthodox business
principles. There Is no question of their
absolute responsibility, and the escorts
they supply are carefully selected young
men of integrity and honor, honest and
reliable in every sense of the word.
An applicant for employment by these
ladies' escort agencies is required to fur
nish frst-class references as to character,
and TO qualify not only from an intelec-
tual point of view, but to prove that he
has an intimate knowledge of the city
and it's institutions. He is also expected
to look like a gentleman at all times and
10 assume the conventional evening oress
whenever required. He must report for
duty each morning at 10 o'clock and hold
his services at the command OF the office
from that time until midnight, although
he may not be actively employed more
than a few hours each day, and some
days not at all. For this he receives a
retaining fee OF from IS to Sl2 a week,
with extra remuneration of 30 cents an
hour while ON active duty. He Is also ex-
pected to pay all minor expenses such as
car fares, out OF his own pockets, not only
for himself. but for the lady to whom
he acts as escort, and he is absolutely for
hidden to TAX tips. OF course all such
charges as theater tickets, cab hire, meals,
ETC., are borne by his feminine patron.
Ladies are requested to report the smallest
infraction of the strict rules laid down
by the managers of the agencies, or the
smallest breach of etiquette, and this is
followed by the instant dismissal OF the
The fees charged unprotected women
for the advantage or a presentabie and
agreeable escort are extremely elastic,
and are APPARENTLY adjusted TO fit individual
cases. 1t is Gathered, however, that a
woman must pay about a dollar an hour
for the privilege of a male companion while
shopping, and that 1t costs twice as much
as the price of two orchestra seats to at
tend a theater under his care.
w have about forty men on our lists"
said the manager of one of the Escort
twenty-five to fifty. They are all gentlemen,
in every sense of the word, some of the
younger being college graduates. A few
are actors of the better class. and two have
been in military service. When a lady APP
plies to us for an escort, 1t is our ~endeavor
to select such a man as we think may be
agreeable to her and whose department
will rebound to the credit of the agency.
"Of course, we do not permit our patrons
to select for themselves. 1t must not be
presumed that we keep a staff of men on
hire. allowing women to pick and choose.
There is no more discrimination allowed
than in the case of engaging the services
of a guide or a messenger boy. When a
lady has en- ployed one of our escorts and
she finds him agreeable and trustworthy,
we are glad to respect her dissemination
for a change. Hence. many on our list have
their regular patrons. 1t Is rarely we have
complaints and such few as have been re-
corded have been mostly from the men.
Women occasionally have misunderstood
/. the objects of the agency. Our escorts are
not TO be regarded as occupying a mental
capacity. They are expected to carry rea-
sonable parcels, but only to the extent that
a courteuos gentleman acquaintance would
be expected to do.
1.-The establishment of this escort agen-
cy grew out of a scheme a few years ago
10 provide guides for strangers in the city.
1t was then found that there was a de-
mand on the part of women visitors TO
New York, not so much for the ordinary
sightseer'S guide whose ostentatious man
ners, like those of a dime museum lecturer
drew unpleasant attention and made re-
fined women feel uneasy, as for well
dressed and well hammered men who could
act as escorts In places where women felt
uncomfortable when alone. Many OF our
patrons had employed such persons in Lon
don and Paris and there seemed no reason
why they should not enjoy the same ad-
vantages in New York. Hence the escort
agency"
When asked what class of women chiefly
composed the patrons of the Office, the
manager seemed less communicative than
ON the subject of the male employees. She
admitted, however, that few who had not
attained an age which precluded them be-
ing elassed as girls applied for professional
escorts.
Our clients are chiefly strangers in. the
city," she said, many being residents OF
the rural districts. who are naturally timid
when alone in the mystifying whirl of the
metropolis. 1t is not to be supposed that
New York matinee girls. or even matrons
accustomed to the active and independent
life of the city. would need a stranger as
an escort. but at all times, and especially
during the summer months, there are hun
dreds of women visiting here, on business
missions or benz on pleasure. who, know
ing nobody. are glad OF such polite and gen.
tlemanly protection as we are able to pro-
vide. The supply of escorts Is usually I'M
equal to the demand"
When IL was limited that there might be
some danger of Cupid depicting the ranks
of both patrons and professional escorts.
the manage indignantly declined TO give
any further information. and brought the
Interview TO 4 sudden close.