Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-09-30
WANT NEW LAWS
ON HOTEL PRICES
Charge Indianapolis 'Gouges'
Convention Visitors.


The need of a hotel license law IN
the State of Indiana. such as is in force
in a number of States with large cities
within their borders, has been evidenced
again by an investigation which the
Retter Business Bureau has been con-
ducting into the local hotel situation for
several days.
Such state regulation is needed not
only for the purpose Of curling unfair
practices, such as price raising in times
when rooms are in abnormal demand but
also for the protection Of the good name
OF reputable hotel keepers and Of Indi-
annapolis itself, persons familiar with the
situation point out.
For some time the Better Business Blu
reau has been receiving hints that trav-
cling statesmen and other Out-of-town
business men who come here frequently
have been spreading broadcast word that
they have been the victims of unfair
treatment at various hotels.
G. A. R. ENCAMPMENT
ECLIPSED ALL PROFITS"
These reports became serious enough
to receive real consideration during the
national eneampment Of the G. "A R.,
with the result that officials Of the Bet
ter Business Bureau felt that it was time
to investigate.
OF more immediate interest to the bust
ness houses of the city, was the fact
that in many cities throughout Indiana
school teachers have been threatening to
refuse to attend the coming annual con-
vention of the Indiana State Teachers
Federation because Of the abnormal hv-
ing expenses which they feared. they
would have to meet.
While some OF these criticisms are
- ~. ia
are not, G. B. Olwin, secretary manager
Of the bureau said he discovered.
"These complaints on the whole are
not justified" he said
SAYS RATES HERE ARE
BELOW THOSE ELSEWHERE.
'sThe rates of Indianapolis hotels, on
the whole. are a whole lot lower than
those Of hotels Of similar rating in other
cities
This win be verified by any Indian
apolis business man who has occasion TO
go to other cities and stop at good no.
tells"
Investigation of reports Of overcharg-
Ing during the G. A. R. convention has
revealed the fact that hotels here have
one scale of rates for convention weeks
and another In ordinary times.
Since they are called upon to hands,
many more people than usual they ar
range their rooms so as to care for as
high as three and four In each during
conventions.
The charge assessed each patron who
doubles, triples or quadruples up with
others during crowded times is, In most
cases, at the principal hotels less than
during normal times, but the hotel makes
much more out of the room as whole.
For instance, one prominent hotel
charges $3.50 for certain rooms ordi-
nariIy
During conventions they can get four
& persons in these rooms.
The charge, per person. is lowered to
$3.50, but even then the hotel gets $40
per day, as against $3.50 per day for
the room.
This, the hotel managers insist, is not
profiteering, for they are put to much
extra expense by reason of extra cleanin :
and extra help required to handle the
increased number of guests.
Privately, the hotel men feel that Il Is
nobody's business If they make a little
extra profit out Of conventions, pointing
out that merchants benefit greatly in in
creased business dEring such times.
However, at conference with the di-
rectors Of the Merchants Association and
the hotel keepers announced a scale Of
dehnite prizes, as announced Yesterday.
whfrh they viii charge during the teach
erss convention, none Of which are con-
sidefed excessive by other business men.
SOME STATES REQUIRE
HOTEL RATES BIZ POSTED.
The hotel licensing laws of several
States require that there be posted In
rooms an established scale OF rates.
In some States commissions have the
power to revoke the license and close up
hotels which violate any Of the numer-
Gus regulations.
These commissions in most cases work
just as the public service commission does
with the utilities, it being the intent Of
: the PAW that all fair provision be made
granting the hotel keepers the RICH;
large higher prices when their costs
aase.
II only do the hotel commissions have
Ter over rates, but also over morals
sanitary conditions
e Better Business Bureau has ne
into the matter Of prices charged
God at the hotel cafes on the theort
this is the duty of the fair prize
missioner and the Federal authori.
&rty proprietoFs of large restaurants
eyeland have notified the fair pTicc
pissioner that, beginning Oct. 1,
will reduce prices from 10 TO ID
#eut on meats frufts and vepofahIea