The Delta independent., 1907-04-19
LEGAL BLOCK TO TIPPING.
From the Philistine.)

| II rom tht fhlllstlne.)
There is a measure now before the
Texas Legislature which makes it "a
misdemeanor punishable by twenty
five dollar fine, to give a tip, fee, or
gratuity to any servant, waiter or por-
ter on a railroad train or at hotel or
restaurant"
This bill will become law without a
doubt, and could have been passed be-
fore, but its sponsors were anxious to
hear every argument that can be made
against it, and thru the discussion give
it wide publicity.
The bill, of course, is aimed at our
Pullman friends, who so religiously take
up collection in every one of their
cars every day to pay the wages of
their porters.
The Pullmans really do not need these
morning offerings of twenty-five cents
from every passenger-they are rich
enough to meet their pay roll all right,
having surplus of thirty-three million
dollars on hand which is troubling them
to dispose of.
In riding thru Scotland on the public
coaches, you pay your fare, but every
few miles, glib Sandy MacGee climbs
to the top of your coach and holding out
his hoot mon cap, gently but firmly in
sists that you shall place silver piece
in his head-gear "for the driver" The
driver, in the meantime, stops his
horses, and looks around at you in a way
that suggests that he could easily rut
the vehicle in the ditch if he wished to,
but that he is open for negotiations.
Everybody digs up.
In Ireland. you pay the jolly, jaunt-
ing car man his fare, and then fee for
his health, so he can drink yours. Ev-
erybody coughs it is easier and cheaper
than to protest.
In fact. in Europe, all servants are
supposed to be paid by the people they
serve, not by the person who employs
them.
Here in America, economy of time,
effort. and thought are the things de-
sirable. We have the money to pay,
We are willing to pay, but one payment
should cover the transaction. There is
no more reason why we should pay the
porter on a Pullman car, and the wait
ers in dining car, than that a collec-
tion be taken up for the conductor and
engineer.
We are a patient people, and we have
simply allowed an old world. feudal Gus
tom to fasten itself upon US.
These Pullman managers are fat,
satisfied and defiant OF their own &C.
cord, they will never manicure their
manners. The issue will have to be
forced upon them by law. The servants
themselves are not to blame. and pa
irons now cannot withhold the expected
tip without being rude, or feeling as if
they were. The law must come to our
relief. This petty and pestiferous form
Of graft is opposed to the Spirit of the
Times.
Just remember this, your tip does not
go to the servant-it is gratuity forced
from you by the company who refuse
to pay their employees living wage.
compelling them to become actual beg
gars and parasites upon the travelling
public.
/ The Lone Star State is the stuff! Out
and after these arrant rogues who force
their employees into crawling servility.
compelling them to cringe and jig. to
smirk and amble. shifting you with the
butt end of broom to remind you that
their families are in need!
The Pullman people by their parsi-
monious habits insult their porters quite
as much as the public, and only the
sinewy hand of the law can teach them
truth.
The graft must go. The pass-system
was bad. and law relieved US of it-now
let US send the fee-system in the same
direction.
You remember the American in Lon
don. who having been touched by every
body in the hotel, jumped into his cab
thanking heaven that he had gotte,
away with his clothes on his back.
Just then Grimy One thrust dirty
hand into the cab-window. But l do
not remember you what did you do for
me?' asked the Yankee. IL saw you
get into this cab. Sir, persstently said
his Crabship.
Does America want to come to this?
The fee-system breeds beggars. Let s
stop in time.
AShc0folfor IN lIeo W,Ior