The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-03
WISCONSIN DEALS
DEATH TO TIPS
Aimed at Commission Evil, New
Law Strikes at Walters,
Porters and Others.
Special to The Journal,

Ppeclal TO Inc journal.
Madison, Wis, May 3.-The dread
blow has fallen, and the walters and
mattresses, porters and bootbIacks, cab
drivers and messenger boys and several
other classes of employees are in mourn
ing.
They are. no longer to enjoy the
profitable pleasure of the 'ttip. +"
What was known, as the antigraft
bill has become a law, Governor La
Toilette having affixed his signature
to the measure prohibiting employees
from requesting or accepting any gra-
tuities, and also prohibiting everybody
from giving or offering any gift or tip
whatever to any agents, servants or
employees.
1t is really a hard blow dealt bv the
governors pen, if the general under
standing of the law is correct. While
the bill was originally aimed at the
practice Of paying commissions to en-
ployees of large stores or corporations
whose influence went a great way in
the purchase of goods, it also is con-
Of "tipping.'
A violation Of the law is made
misdemeanor, punishable by a fine Of
| not less than SO nor more than $500,
or fine and imprisonment for a year.
Everybody Wants to Be Shown.
The demand for copies of the bill is
remarkable; Everybody, apparently,
wants to know the exact provisions
of the new statute. Presidents of cor
porations, merchants and manufacture
ers and practically all classes of en-
ployers are seeking for information on
the exact meaning of the antigraft law.
And not the least interested persons are
those to whom "the tip" means the
larger part of their income.
| Walters oO1 ToPtprC on1 hoofhIo oil
and BARRIERS are in fine stew lest the
law. shall stop them from accepting the
nlckelS and dimes proffered by the gen
erous public. They fail to understand
how. it, can be anybody's business, much
less that Of the state, whether they
gather in few dollars a week from
people who want to give their money
away.
But the law is plain enough; It pro-
vides that whoever corruptly gives,
offers or promises to an agent, en-
ployee or servant any gift or gratuity
with intent to influence his action in
relation to his employers business or
gift or gratuity is guilty of a misde-
meanor.
How the Blow Falls.
The law prohibits the giving of COM
missions to employees who make pur-
chases, no matter whether in the form
of discount or bonus. 1t goes fur
Their and provides that no person shall
be excused from testifying or produc-
! ing books and contracts.
Now the question that is perplexing
: the porters, walters and BARRIERS is
/ whether Ftip"' accepted from the
customer is corruptly given, as de
scribed in the law: The barber wants
l to know how he is to tell whether a
2 customer is going to "tip' him until
| he gets out of the chair and reaches
5 into his pocket. The porter, who car
l ries a trunk up or down a fight OF
2 stairs for travelling salesman, is anx
| ious to know if the salesman expects tC
, influence him after the job is done and
he has his "tip.'
Heads of corporations, manufacture
ers and merchants are not complaining
because the bill has become a law. They
are the only ones who can see any par.
: ticular merit in the law, for they count
: on saving many thousands of dollars il
9 commissions.