New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-12
600 WATERS CONQUER
5000 FOLK At DINNER
"Oysters" Their Slogan. and at
the Word the Strike (fOr So
a Mighty Begins.
HOTEL MEN SURRENDER
Unions Plans, Carefully Made
and Valorously Executed,
Win Glorious Victory
at Waldorf and Astor.

The loyal members Of the international
Hotel Workers Union were flushed with
victory last night and why not? DID
thew not win a bloodless victory against
the hotel proprietors2 They did.
Some Of these walters were battle
SCARED veterans of the recent campaign
against Pearlsm. They entered the con-
test last night with stout hearts ana un-
flinching eyes. They showed, in the
naughty bearing OF their trays and the
lofty angle at which they carried their
chins. that they were old campaigners,
Injured to the hardships of their calling,
and not TO be intimidated should the field
of battle grow sulphurous with the
smoke OF strife.
Dinners were held last night at the
Waldorf Astoria and the Hotel Astor.
Three thousand guests sat down 70 the
tables at the Waldorf and two-thirds cf
that number at the Astor. There were
six hundred walters 10 minister to the
inner needs Of these guests. That was
the standing Of the opposing forces when
the dinners began-fve thousand tam-
,shad nersons against a mere six hun.
dred-and the six hundred won the night!
Following last weeks trouble betwee l
the walters at the Hotel Belmont and
Pearl, head waiter at that hosiery, Sc
cret mass meetings of every member o.
the walters unions were held through
out the city. Consequently, when th-
word went forth taht public dinners
were to be held at the Waldorf and at
the Astor plans were Immediately
started TO insure a victory for the
knights Of the tray and the napkin.
Plans Carefully Worked Out
Before entering the dining halls last
night each waiter was handed a yellow
handpill, upon which were printed strict
orders regarding the plan Of battle. Gen
oral Field Orders No. / were TO the effect
that every waiter was TO be in his as
signed place half an hour before the
diners sat down, with white stiff shirt
nolished black shoes and black bow tie,
the regular battle array.
Orders No. 3 were to the effect that
everv waiter was to take the orders Of
the guests. salute with military preci-
sion and then to fill the first file Of
glasses. This TO be followed by an or
derIv retreat to the kitchen, I'm single
file and eyes front.
Order No 3 were to the effect that
ZACH waiter was to serve his table Of
Guests with oysters, and when the last
OYSTER had disappeared, TO bring his
napkin TO the crook of the right elbow
bring his heels together with click. and
remain standing at attention, while the
wa,ters' representatives presented their
u,t;mstum to the management.
This ultimatum was that every waiter
u,as 70 receive S. for his nights work
TO more. no less.
Everything was carried out with mill
tarv precision. True. some of the re-
oru,ts experienced trembling sensation
IN the region OF the knees, just before
tho signal was given for the battle to
hag,p but these less hardy souls were
holstered up by their veteran comrades
,,.arms. and faced the issue with a brave
front.
officIals of the union walked up and
Continued on second page, fourth column