New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-04
NO, NOT AT ASTOR HOUSE
Why, What Would 0Idtimers Do
if Walters Quit, Sir?
IT'S MAN TO MAN THERE
Customers Are Friends, Sir, and
Must Not Go Hungry-Kind
Words Better than Coin.

why, sir, what would become OF our
regular customers stomachs. sir, II we
walked out? I've been putting food into
some of their stomachs for ten years, sir,
and what in the world would happen to
them don't know. Some men like gou-
lash, others can't eat it. and I've got one
customer that's always got TO have the
first asparagus Of the season. No, sir, there
amt any whistle going TO blow over here"
So said one Of the rudy faced walters in
the Aston House rotunda last night. as he
slipped a dish of ham with champagne
sauce on the counter and slid white ivory
check under the edge of the plate.
You see. we know the men that come
here to eat. sir, and we are friends with
them. Some OF these walters have been
here twenty years and they've raised lot
Of brokers from Wall Street clerks. Why.
if we had a strike over here it would be
like the old house falling down on its foun-
dations; these men that come here every
day for lunch wouldn't know where to go.
They'd wander around the street, and I
guess some Of them would end up by dying
Of slow starvation.
THE men over here are not unionized,
and II any of them belong to unions they
don't say much about 1t. They haven't got
any kick coming. anyhow. The only fine
here IL for being late and you get ten min
utes leeway, anyway.
And then most all OF US are Irish and
got families at home, and while a strike Is
a mighty fine thing when the agitator is
talking about 1t IL isn't so fine when the
babies at home are hungry and you can't
stand off the delicatessen store any more.
we never have any trouble with our
customers It's like I say. sir most Of W
are Irish. and It's generally a man TO man
basis, with kind words, and waiter likes
that better than a 5O-cent piece sometimes.
Here, bus. get the gentleman a glass Of
iced tea! With lemon.
we have plenty of friends Why, one
man here Che's been here eleven yesrsl
hadn't been five weeks away from County
Mayo-yes. sir, on the west coast; he comes
from a tiny bit Of a place called Tullaghan-
hann--when he got TO be friends with
lawyer.
And two years ago, when furniture
instament house tried 10 sue him the law
yer settled the case for him and didn't
make any charge. Wall Street broker
told another walter 10 hold bit OF stock
he had when he wanted TO let It 90, and 1t
rose high next week, and the walters got
a home he owns now. Nothing like friends,
you know. sir.
Yes, sir, We had a big crowd in hero
to-day when the other places closed down.
| heard some of the men say they wouldn't
let niggers walt on them. They won't do
at all in New York sir. They're slow and
sometimes they're insultn'. But I can't
altogether blame the owners When the
unions holdin' them UP so. II does seem
hsrd-don't It, sir?-to force men In Just be-
cause they're union men. and to keep others
out because they don't belong.
But as for me, sir-well, | don't nave
much time TO talk about the strike. I'm
working here twelve hours day. and when
O'Clock comes I put on my coat and 80
up 10 The Bronx Yes, sir, glad you liked
H. sir Thank YOU. sir Good evening