The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1914-12-11
pany, but their pay is supplemented

-
by tips from the public, which makes
the position a desirable and lucrative
one for a negro. Women and child
rem travelling alone are compelled to
shift for themselves If the mother
or person in charge does not tip.
Bell boys employed by resort and
other large hotels will intimidate the
person that is known among them to
not give tips by small annoyances.
One of these is when the patron re-
quests pen and ink; the ink will be
brought to him in some cases with
water added, making it unavailable
for use. Sooner or later the patron
is annoyed sufficiently and will ";give
up" rather than register a complaint.
Florida people, as rule, do not
know much about this nuisance. The
help employed by hotels in the small
towns are usually negroes, and they
are under control; but the real nui-
sance is the resort help, both black
and white, that comes to Florila for
the tourist season from the north.
They usually have their fares paid
by the company or individual en-
ploying them, and receive a meagre
salary for three notwithstanding on
tips for their savings and transpor-
tation back.
This No-Tip law will be introduced
by Hon. J. J. Paul. of Watertown,
Florida. To digress for the moment
to show the people of Florida the
character and standing of the man
who will father this bill, Mr. Paul is
business man, being successful
lumberman, and has the respect and
confidence of the peope of Columbia
county who nominated him in the
recent primaries. He led the ticket
in that county, receiving forty-three
votes in his own precinct, this being
the total number registered in that
precinct This is the most remark
able vote ever received in the annals
of the state, as no man except Mr..
Paul has ever received the unanim-
Gus vote of any precinct for politi-
cal office This record has only been
equalled by Governor Park Tram
mell-but in other ways. The COVER
nor has never been refeated, having
successfully held the following of
fees: city clerk, councilman and
mayor of Lakeland, Florida; member
of the house of representatives, state
senator from Polk county; president
of the state senate, attorney general,
and then governor of the state of
Florida record unequalled by any
man in the state.
The bill viii be supported by Hon.
F. A. Wood, next member of legis-
lature from Pinellas county. He is a
generous man, but resents the impo-
sition of the tip custom; he had his
dose in San Francisco few years
ago in a hotel wherein he bought 40
cents worth of breakfast. laid down
go cents which he thought would in
clude a generous tip to the negro
waiter; yet the latter followed him
to the door of the dining room and
handed him back the twenty cents,
telling him he had forgotten his car
fare.
Now back to this tip nuisance.
Certain large interests and infiu-
|ences will probably oppose enactment
of this law because they will have to
pay their help just what has been
skinned out of the people heretofore.
These interests are vulnerable and
no fear need be entertained of their
active opposition.
On behalf of every man travelling
in Florida and for the protection of
the tourists, both rich and poor, who
spend money in Florida each year es-
pecially this coming season, which
will be boon and of vast benefit to
our people on account of the depres-
sion in all lines caused by the Euro.
pean war, the Post will strongly urge
this just law. Each issue of this pa.
per from this date will be read by ev-
cry member of the next legislature
until that body shall convene. The
Post feels assured that the bill will
receive the solid vote of both houses
when the matter shall be placed be.
fore them-for the measure if of suf.
lficient Importance to demand just and
favorable consideration.
1t is law of protection, especial
ly for the country people. who know
little about the tipping custom, many
of whom would think that to offer a
person small gratuity would be but
an insult.
Here is the MiSSiSSinni law.