The Washington herald., 1920-06-27
Men and Business
By RICHARD SPILLANE.

Philadelphia, June %. Her
| bert p. Coates, of Monte evideo,
| Uruguay, Is in town to attend the
Rotarian convention in Atlantic
City. He founded the pioneer club
in that country. There are two
| delegates here from his country.
There are two also from Argentine
He is going to urge the extension of
Rotary throughout Latin America.
Mr.. Coates has been in Uruguay
thirty -four years and has seen 1t
4 grow up, as he says. For twenty
years he has been pushing American
goods. His concern has a New York
office and has selling organizations
in not only Uruguay, but southern
Brazil. II introduced the cash reg
lister into that part of the world and
distributes not only those things,
but American scales, hosiery, inks.
adding machines, perfumes, auto
mobiles, typewriters. office equip
ment, dyes, candies, furniture, shoes,
| etc, etc.
In his home, Mr. Coates keeps
what he calls a Museum of Bad
| Packing" When q man from the
United States visited him and asked
| why we didn't sell more stun in
South America, Mr.. Coates would
tell him to go in and see for him.
self.
But the United States is on the
right track now" Mr.. Coates said.
There has been marked improve
ment. The difficulty now is to hold
the trade. 1t cannot be held with
out regular shipments and with the
| filling of orders. l have been to
three firms here in Philadelphia
within few hours looking for
goods and have had the same an
swer, All sold up for this year,
from all three.
"Montevideo is a beautiful city
and a solid trading center. 1t has
as high a rating as any foreign
city with which the United States
has commercial relations. The peo-
pile are very straight in their deal
Iings and very decent. There has
been no particular immigration in
Ito Uruguay. There is more of the
Iold Spain than in any other part OF
South America. The merchants are
as conservative as those of London
and your own Philadelphia.
The British had a considerable
part of Cruguay's trade before the
war. We didn't have much of a
chance. The Germans, of course,
got in. The Germans have a marvel
Ious trade organization, but they are
out of consideration as active fac
tors for some years.
I'VE want to be in closer COM
munication with you. Uruguayans
have a high regard for the Ameri-
cans. You may not remember 1t.
but Montevideo was a base for the
United States navy all through the
war"
How did the boys behave them
selves" Mr.. Coates was asked.
Remarkably WELL" he answered.
They were welcome everywhere.
1t was not always so. l remember
years ago when an American war
ship came in sight of Montevideo
1.-THE policemen climbed into the tops
Iof the tallest trees and remained
there until the storm was over.
While in town, Mr.. Coates is
making his headquarters at the
Corn Exchange Bank.
| In one of the large restaurants
not far from Broad and Chestnut
streets gentleman who had a
party of friends at luncheon glanced
at the bill to see if the items and
additions were correct.
What's this?" he asked the
waiter, when he saw a charge of =
for service"
That's correct" said the waiter
Service" exclaimed the gentle
man. I've heard of cover charge
and a lot of other things, but this
is new. What is il. anyhow?
The waiter shrugged his shoul'
ders.
The gentleman paid the bill
Later he made inquiry of the man
lager.
Yes" said that person. 'tht
service charge is correct. Let m'
explain. We employ union walters
: We must abide by union rules o,
: our men will strike. They have
Established a tip rate of 81 fol
luncheon parties of from nine t
twelve persons. the charge to b'
put in the bill, collected by th'
MANAGEMENT and later turned Owe
to them. They also have estao
IIished a tip charge of $3.50 to b'
nut on the check when there is
dinner party of from ten to fourteen
persons. OF course, the charge in
. creases IL the number is more thar
{ twelve at a luncheon or fourteen
dinner.
This service" charge is a meal
attempt to get more out OF the pub
. Ilic than a very generous and mucf
abused lot of people ordinarll!
would give.
OF course, the waiter would no
/ be satisfied with the service tip
: oh. no. 1t is not supposed to NEE
Your notice. 1t is to be taken iron
YOU painIessly. It's in the Dill
The waiter will be alongside you
as usual, looking at you threaten
linsly, or accusingly il he is O
savAge disposition, or pleadingi!
and hopefully if he is a meek crea
ture, but his palm will be itching
all the time.
All walters suffer terribly IRON
!, THAT practically incurable malady.