New-York tribune., 1905-04-15

:
The opening of the Midland Railway companys gr-as
hotel IN Manchester expected very sens,
influence upon the social life of the city Without tho
least desire dsparage established enterprises may
admitted that In comparison with nearly all other cities
its size and very many much smaller. Manchester
hitherto been conspieuousy deficient not only in It's prov
sion for the worthy entertainment Of visitors
what may be called public social accommodation
own people There have Of late marked improves
ments IN certain directions, but it is still
plant that the hotels restaurants and even the clubs
OF Manchester inferior in their attractions and comfort
to those OF London Liverpool Glasgow Edinburgh and
Dublin, TO say nothing Continental or American towns
1t IS possibleone hopes, indeed, probable-that one
effect Of the Midland Railway Companys enterprise viii
be to set standard in these matters, which,
through the education public taste and under the stress
or competition, there will be gradual but general con-
tornty, with the result that Manchester viii become
much comfortable attractive city only
own people but also for visitors
And IL is here that the practical utility Midland
Hotel to the trade Of Manchester viii chiefly lie II will
have commercial value, doubt 90 the Railway Com
pany in making the Midland route more pouular with
Travellers is expected, substantial return
upon the huge capital which has invested and
Il will naturally increased trade for those whose
business it is to supply furniture food stores and services
Of various kinds hotels. so il induces
visitors and particularly foreign and colonial visitors
spend time in Manchester IL will perform a much
greater service to the commercial community. Visitors
Manchester (and there enormous uulber
of them IN the course OF year, Of not Of the
pleasure-seekng tourist class; they who
the headquarters Of the and engineering industries
to buy and TO SELL Sellers. rule assumed 20 ba
able to look after themselves the buyer
is person whose society is much sought afts and whom
all desire TO treat with the most distinguished c0nsder
and attention, particularly If he om abroad
and is person Of substance Such " customers often
come to this country visits in which business is
tempered with recreation, and seldom
accompanied by their wives and daughters IN these cases
their desire get away from unattractive places
quickly as possible is only eqnaed by the desire OF those
whose customers they are or may become that they
should stay.
1t has, we understand been rather sore point with
Manchester business men Canadian and other visitors
from abroad having business this district
have been driven by what they consider the unatacves
Of hotels make Bradford Liverpool
London their headquarters instead Of Manchester which
in respect Of its railway communications otherwise
the natural capital Of the North Of England But to
those who familiar with the modern hotels Of America
and Canada, with the newer London hotels this
has been surprising, The hotel guest has been taut
to expect every possible ameny convenience and LUXURY
and ne finds any wanting ne feels aggeyed In America
hotel clerks expected to personally Cor the comfort
of every guest give information he may ask and
for him such ntroduconS and vours that
his business and pleasure may be promoted If he has
letters to write he has only to dictate them to OF the
hotel staff OF StenOgraphers and typeterS Within the
hotel ne can not only eat drink sleep and listen to sc
but buy newspapers, magazines, books hOwerss railway
and tickets theatre and tickets, and almost
anything else that he is likely to want Hardressers
chemists, and outhtters shops and all kinds OF Turkish
Russian and other baths open 20 him night and day.
His clothes unpacked for him and pressed by tailor
his arrival and packed up for him when he goes away.
Men who accustomed to such pettng and papefng IN
hotels, however little they may profess TO for IT, are
apt feel themselves deauded when it is denied them
One gathers that they will have quite much OF as is
good for them in Peter Street.
That the new Midland Hotel will introduce new and
keen competition into certain departments Of business in
Manchester undenable The propretors Of other hotels
restaurants for instance, hardly be expected
hail its opening with enthusiasm, and may be inclined TO
regard its competition not altogether fair IN the sense
that the railway company may lose money hotel and
it in increased passenger traffic receipts. Some
Manchester shopkeepcrs again. may be inclined 70 resent
the provision which is being made or the periodical visits
of Partisan dressmakers and mners and London taors
the hotel to take orders No doubt competition IN these
directions will be increased But it maybe pointed OUT
the other hand that anything which visitors TO
cannot fail to bring grst the mills of those who
for visitors whether in the way Ofentertanment and
refreshment of retail trade. The demand for hotel
accommodation in place which numbers round million
of inhabitants is moreover fixed quantity; It is
almost indefinitely elastic, varying with the sort OF
accommodation offered.