The San Francisco call., 1906-10-14
New York. October 2.

nsra6ise for hotel "1eaobeats as Is
Neu- York. As matter OF fact. he
spoke the truth. for with the thous-
snds who come and 30 among the great
osrsvansaries in the metropolis il is
impossible TO keep watch and ward
ever the honesty Of every patron. Men
there are who boast Of living on the
~ Of the land from month TO month
the expense of the city hotel men,
One OF the most impudent Of this class
wrote a letter recently to the president
of the National Hotel Keepers Pro-
tective Association. which has its head
quarters in New York and told him
that in all his. varied experience he
had not found a place that was easier
than this city.
That he was right about il no ex-
perienced caterer TO the public is dis
posed TO deny The principal assets OF
IN accomplished hotel beat are a GER
rafn.oufet assurance self-control, good
clothes and q scared conscience. After
that there is little else necessary than
the weIl-formed resolution Of never
Naying a cent
one Of the officers OF an agency
which is devoted to giving informa-
tfon concerning predatory visitors de-
Clares that IL Is possible for beat
70 live unmolested in the hotels of this
city for the greater part of year be-
fore he would find the situation grow
ing uncomfortable; he could do this.
and. in fact. he docs, without single
cent Of capital and by committing no
greater offense against the State than
the violation Of the innkeepers' law.
Conditions Of modern hotel life are
peculiarly adapted TO the growth Of
that constantly increasing class. the
smooth strangers It was not long
$50, certainly less than two decades,
Dttat the average clerk knew every pa
tron by sight who was in the house.
and was able to call many of them his
personal friends The proprietor was
constantly in touch with those who
stopped at his hOstelry and was able
70 detect almost II a glance II any un-
desirable persons were under his roof
Personal Element Eliminated.
Hotel keeping in this present genera
tion is ordered something after the
manner Of q factory. The public is
carried about through the establish
ment by means of elevators like so
much raw material. The patrons are
thrown into one hopper and fed; they
are committed to another department
and uoistened with cocktails and high
balls; then they are taken on lifts TO
the dormito-y department and laid
away for the night.
Nobody pays much attention to them
except the hotel detective. His position
IS much like that Of a hopper boy at
2 colliery ne gets q rapid survey OF
the specimens OF humanity, large and
small. as they pass before him in the
corridor. which is much like an end
less belt and occasionally he removes
an exceptionally bad piece of slate.
not likely TO take any risks unless the
man under suspicion has a Rogues'
Gallery portrait or has been convicted
OF various crimes and misdemeanors-
he cannot question the financial stand
ing of every stranger, and II the hotel
dead beat is not OF striking appear
ance detection is well nigh impossible.
Aore than q hundred thousand stran-
e. go every day through the great
h1tcis OF this city and the man on the
floor, no matter how observant he may
be. can only hope 70 protect the patrons
Of the place from the attention OF
Iliclzpockets, thieves and confidence
men. AS far as insuring the proprietor
OF the hotel from being robbed by the
smooth stranger" the average hotel
detective is helpless. Some OF the
shreWdest OF them bear testimony to
unassuming freebooters TO ply their
calling.
First Of all the hotel beat must
have a reckless disregard OF conse-
cuences and a good digestion. He must
not have "a constitution which expert
ences symptoms Of distress after be
Ing reinforced with food for which the
man who furnished II viii never be
paid. Conscience. a sense OF shame or
even a lurking shadow OF self-respect
would be fatal to him. Once he has
the proper psychological attitude to-
ward the business he can so 10 any
lengths in following st.
Having discarded HIS conscience he
must then acquire either q small
satchel or 2 dress suit case. The ex-
penditure of two or three dollars will
ut him out in that regard. II he feels
disposed 10 the nieeties Of dress he
might also carry something Of ward
robe. but this is considered unneces-
sary: such things as shirts and collars
may be purchased from time 10 time
as they are required It may be that
circumstances viii arise when il IS
necessary TO leave the dress suit case
with the slotel proprietor in order 10
make q quick exit.
Importance of Correct Dress.
It Is also necessary that the hotel
beat should be neatly attired. but he
should aVolc the use OF naSny necktteS,
scarf pins sf striking or unusual de-
signs. fancy Waistcoats or bright and
shiny yelloW shoes. II would be fatal
20 him almost II he should be identi-
fed as a man with bright red tie or as
a man With a green beetle scarf pin.
~ he should be so unfortunate as TO
have a heavy scar or any marked facial
blemish II would be well for him to
adopt some other occupation
UnobtrusiFeness IS the keynote OF
success when one deliberately seeks TO
oefraud a hotel. The smooth stran-
ser" must glide IN and out Of the place.
81 quietly IN the writing room, talk
70 10 one unless he IS addressed, make
Few acouaintances and comport him
self as one who is devoted to serious
business.
As hotels are managed at present
nearly any one can live in one for a
week without receiving any coulmuni-
cation from the cashier. The dead
beat" uses this fact TO the best advant-
age. taking care. however, not 70 ring
for ice water too often, or to have
meals sent to his room, or TO in any
way impress his Individuality upon the
employees and attendants. High living
Sc. al very pleasant. but il is likely TO