Evening star., 1939-12-10

worrying his hngernas with his teeth, wonder
ing when he would make the mistake that
would carry him over the brink
MIR. Biller was more than checker of credit
lie was the handspring behind that intimate,
personal touch so important to Harden House.
Here guests casually stepped up to the cashier,
who didn't know them from ADAM and said,
ID YOU mind Cashing this $500 check for me?"
Or they strolled out with their luggage, say
ing airiy. Send the bill to my office will YOU"
1t was unspeakable. in Harden House, that
tie cashier should decline to cash the check
ii it Was good. Practically sacregious that he
should insist on the guest setting up before
leaving ii the guest was good for the bill.
How was the cashier to know:
That was Mr.. Billers headache As soon as a
guest registered, his name and address were sent
to the credit office. MIR. Ber and his clerks
checked the name forthwith, with telephone
directories from that city, with business direc-
tories. credit lists, blue books social registers,
professional lists. perhaps the AlmanaCh de
Gotha, and a score OF Others
Finally always with a quiver of doubt.
MIR. Biler made the markings which decided
whether the hotel should insist on prompt cash
payments. Mr. Biller was constantly between
two fires: he must prevent the hotel from Of
tending any guest by questioning his credit,
and at the same time, he must make certain
that the hotel gave no credit whatever to beats
or slow PAYERS.
1t was d very important job. Businessmen.
unknown in New York but big frogs in their
own little puddles, were charmed to hear the
Harden House cashier say. why, of course.
Mr.. Soandso. We'd be glad to cash your check.
Or without moments hesitation to brand
new guest: Certainly, Mr. Soandso. we'll
send Your bill to your office" This personal
touch gave guests feeling that they were I'M
portant in this great hotel which was the feeling
that Harden House craftily wanted them to
have.
Mr.. Bier's most valuable equipment was
his own list of l25 600 important guests whose
credit was always unlimited 1t was far more
than credit list. 1t showed who the guests
were, when they stopped last at Harden House,
how much they spent, what rooms they ocCu
pied. Thus informed, Mr. Murphy or Mr.
Boardman, the managers, were able to murmur
Will SOuu leOuS " RuSSlo llltS
didn't recognize at all, Why, Mr.. Robinson
glad to see you back with US. We haven't seen
you since - let S see - last March, wasn't it,"
With all his checks and safeguards, Mr.. Biller
knew that some day he was going to make
mistake. Its bound to happen" he often NUT
tered to his wife, Minna. Look at Lew Harman
in the St. Christophe Towers"
Stop biting your ngernas, his wife would
say. And forget Lew IIarman." Mr. Biller
couldn't forget Lew Harman. Lew Harman was
the dreadful example of the treacherous vol
cano upon which credit men live.
0NCE the great John D. House. the lumber
king, arrived at the St. Christophe. As usual, he
>arred only a spare shirt and a spare pair OF
socks in a shabby brief case. He scrawlcd his
signature, and dumb night clerk read it as
John D. Wousc.
All of Lew Harman's care and skill meant
nothing. John d. Wouse was nobody. He had
no credit rating. He wasn't even listed in the
telephone book of Houses home city.
So. in twenty-four hours, John D. House,
the man who could sign a check for hundred
thousand at any bank in town, received a
peremptory order to pay his bill at once And,
when he took out his checkbook, the cashier
said, haughtily, Sorry, sir, We insist on cash"
L