The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-09-16

Tells Amusing Story Of System Of
Tip" in Vogue in tho Old
Countries.
Good Logic 10 Given for Organized
labor-Workmen Don't Want Tips,
But Wages.

| writer, and student of economics is
good observer of things. She has
deep sympathy for labor in it's strug-
gle for greater portion of the
wealth which 1t creates, and her opln-
lon on the "tip system" in countries
| on both sides of the Atlantic is we'll
worth the perusal Of every reader
OF the Labor World:
have just returned from a trip
through Europe, where I naturally
made frequent comparisons between
the status Of the foreign worker and
that of his American brother.
One of the most noticeable differ
ences Is the constant presence of the
man with his hand out for tip.
When you leave the steamer fully
ten people expect to be remember
ed OF these fully half consider
two dollars or less an open insult, to
be resented by marked insolence of
manner, and only five dollar bill
can move them to thanks.
At every hotel from eight to a doz-
en- tip hunters shadow the departing
guest and he is expected to go the
rounds.
Nor is this all. If you hire car
riage you are expected to tip the
driver. If you ask the street car
conductor a question or request him
to call your street you must give
him a fee. When you take boat
the man who takes 1t from you. II
you inquire your way Of passer-by
you dip your hand in your pocket as
you do so. You tip the clerk in the
store, the man who delivers your
goods. the postman, the policeman,
and, for aught I know to the con-
trary, the doctor, the lawyer. and the
preacher. I heard it said that "ev-
cry one in Europe will take a tip
except the crowned heads" but I'm
not at all prepared to admit the ex-
ception.
When you demonstrate against this
continual tax you are met with the
argument, "the poor things get very
little and they must live. You are
really paying them wages, and it is
unfair not to give it,
If you ask, "Why do they receive
such small pay?" the reply is, 1.-THE
employer knows they will get tips
and counts on it," and again you are
assured that tips are. wages and
should not be withheld.
But a few minutes consideration
shows that not only are tips not
wages, but they destroy wages.
Wages are q definite sum agreed up
on by employer and worke1. To pay
them is an obligation, to receive them
is right A tip is a favor, charity.
It can be given or withheld at will.
It's bestower swells with self-satisfled
benevolence. It's receiver, a true
turnkey, graduates, his thanks to.
match the amount of the grdtuity.
A tip is not wages, for no man has
right to demand it. He can only
cringe and kowtow in the hope of
not missing it.
Moreover, as long as tips are given
wages will be low. Instead of gain
ing by the tipping system, the work
ers lose by it. Their income, instead
of being assured, Is precarious; in
stead of coming as a right is doled
out in series of petty favors. In
short, the worker, who ought to be
a self respecting freeman. becomes
a pitiful dependent.
Nor does the amount gained offer
any atonement for the manhood sac
rif1ced in the getting. The steamer
stewards are more favored and more
arrogant than the man beyond seas.
In Germany you may give your street
car conductor small coin worth one
and one-fourth cents; in France
cent will be accepted, and the
naughty Britisher only stands out
for "tuppence." OF course the tips
run from these trifles up, and some
times high up-and "that's the way
the money goes"
But it was, after all, the small
tips that shocked me most. To think
that men, full grown, white, civiliz-
ed, free men-not children nor Fill
pinos nor savages nor slaves-wou1d
take one cent charity and say
''Thank you" for it!
It made me heart sick and asham-
cd to see it. blushed to think that
they hadn't the self-respect to blush
for themselves.
This abominab1e and degrading