The Washington herald., 1918-08-06
D. G.. HOTELS
ATMOSPHERE
-
VERY COSTLY
War Garden Director Be
lieves High Prices
Hurt Capital.

Better 100000 worth OF beans
for the boys In the trenches than
$1,000 worth OF atmosphere
in Washington hotel" said
Russell T. Edw,rds. Of the Ma
tionaI War Garden Commission yes
terdsy. in refutation Of the state
ment made by Frank s. Hight, man
ager of the New willard. Hotel and
president Of the washington Hotel
Mems Association.
Mr.. Hight maintains that the
washington hotels have been un.
Justly held before the public OF tn,
United States as prohteers. The good
name Of the Capital is being in
jured. he claims, by what he terms
false charges of profiteers.
In an extensive statement he
shows some OF the expenses OF q
great hostelry.
There has been q marked increase
in cost price of all articles from
servants wages to carpets, accord
ing to Mt Hight.
Atmosphere.
The Atmosphere" of a hotel is al
so a powerful but silent partner in
the boosting of prices.
TT should be remembered" says
Mr.. Hight's statement. that an av-
ersge first class hotel in order "a
obtain the best on the market. has
usually to pay more than the house
| wife; often much more.
|
vide the atmosphere of a first-class
modern hotel cost a great deal of
money. For instance in a represen-
tative hotel Of the best class, flowers
and decorations used in the restau-
rant during the twelve months end
ing June 90. 1878, represented an out
lay Of almost $1,000 dollars The
: music cost almost three times as
much
The statement points out the many
foodstuffs given away for no cash re-
turn such as sugar. salt, pepper. mus
tard and horseradish. toothpicks and
other items The general advance in
foodstuffs Is also discussed in detail
Is Washington starvIngf
On the other hand. Russell T. Ed.
wards. director of the educational
section of the National War Garder
| Commission, whose duties cause hin
to travel widely throughout tn,
country, says that Washington
hotel prices cause a situation favor.
able to pro-German propagands
through the United States.
Strangers come to Washington
stay at the hotels and carry away
the idea that Washington is starv.
ing.
1t Is detrimental in the extreme
to the merchants OF Washington
according to Mr.. Russell.
IF $1,000, 900 worth OF 'atmos.
phere' must be paid for by the din.
ing-rOom is not that profiteering? =
ask Mr.. Russell TT is the stranger
within our gates that must pay tn,
I bill.
when roast lamb at 81 at tn.
willard coincides with the very
same article at the New Ebbitt or
better still on a dining car at So
cents, what makes the difference.
The dining car has a limited space
| to carry articles. and it caters to q
small group Of perhaps q hundred
people.
Prices Outrageous.
THE point is this" continues Mr.
Russel, food prices in hotels are
outrageous whether they be for at.
nnosphere or not. The travelling pub
lie goes away from Washington and
| knocks the town because the prof.
teering hotel keepers are putting the
screws on the dining-room patrons
! in the endeavor to meet the over
4 head.
Il maintain that the boys in the
trenches will not do much fighting On
! atmosphere but IL the money taken
from the public were put into food
for the boys over there, il would be
doing a lot more good"