The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-01-31
Stewards to Hold a Counter
Meeting-Assert That Mer-
chants Can Remedy Mat
ter Without Help,
One Chef Accuses Lead
ing Officer" of Protective
Association of Offering
20 Per Cent.

The hotel stewards and chefs of pri-
vate families who purchase the market
supplies for their respective establish
ments have taken umbrage at the
charges brought against them by the Re
tail Butchers and Meat Dealers Pro
tectIve Association. and are planning a
meeting to deuounce the dealers. It is
their purpose al this meeting to set
themselves right In the eyes Of their
employers and Of the public at large.
Several of those who have been seen
assert that the dealers are themselves
responsible for The paying of commits
sions oa all business furnished to the
purchasing agents OF hotels and the
servants in large private establishments.
One of them declares that one Of the
most prominent officers OF the Protec-
tive Association offered him 20 per cent
Of the amount Of his purchases if he
would deal with him.
The date Of the proposed meeting and
the place where it will be held have
not yet been determined upon, but those
interested state that it viii be called
at the earliest possible moment. The
letter from the steward Of the Cochran
Hotel. printed in The Times yesterday,
IN which he denied ever having received
q commission from any dealer in the
years that he has been employed in this
city, was followed today by call at
The Times Office by one Of the other
hotel stewards.
Only Five Stewards Who Buy.
He said that so far as the hotel stew
ards were concerned he felt they were
placed IN an unenviabIe and unfair light
as a result of the statements Of the
dealers. Whatever the fault may be, it
lies, in his judgment. primarily with
the dealers who offer all sorts OF induce
ments to buyers for the purpose of OBJ
tanning their trade. Most OF the buyers
are but human and are likely to DO the
best they can for themselves, provided
they do not injure their employers.
There are but five hotel stewards in
this city who do the buying for their
houses said he. IN the other houses
the manager OF proprietor buys what is
needed from lists furnished by the
stewards II he gets commission he
gets it from himself"
One of the leading chefs in the employ
of private families in this city, Louis
schiseher, now at 21s1 Massachusetts
Avenue northwest, said:
Knowing the usual fair way you treat
both sides in all controversies appear
ing In your paper. in justice to myself
I want 10 reply TO the article printed IN
your paper Of January 30 I have been
a chef in service for forty-foUr years,
and have served some of the best fami-
lies. both in America and abroad Dur
ing that time I have always endeavored
TO secure only the finest meats and pro
visions, regardless Of everything else,
always considering my reputation as
nrst-class chef.
Three years ago came to this city
and am at present in the employ Of one
OF the largest private houses in Wash
ington. On my arrival was instructed
to take full charge Of the kitchen and 70
see that only the best goods we're pur-
chased both for the madame and the
dOmestics. The madame herself, being
an old resident in the city. advised me
what dealer 70 patronise, as her former
chef had left him and gone TO the gen
erul or Center Market for reasons best
known TO himself, and she was very
much dissatisfied with his change 1
have continued always with this same
dealer.
approached Numerous Times"
During my stay IN my present house
have been approached numerous times
for my patronage. see the name of one
OF the leading officers OF the Protec-
tive Association Ia butcherj, who offer
ed me 70 per cent Of the purchase price
OF all meats. One of the leading vege-
table drms Of the Center Market, who
is now handling meats, gave me a more
liberal oner still
"A chef il this city, who IS employed
BY an historical family, is acting as
solicitor for these dealers of the Cen
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