HAMSTRUNG HOTELS
Sta,—As a footnote to the exposition of the evils of the Catering Wages Regulations by " A London Hotel Manager," it might perhaps be men- tioned that it is not the public only who are " inevitably made to suffer as a result df the Order." The entire staff of at least one famous West End hotel did not receive their customary bonus at Christmas, the reason being costs incurred through the operation of the Order, and this at an establishment where 10 per cent. is surcharged on all grill and restaurant bills. To many of the poorly-paid unseen clerical staff—the backroom workers in control, bill and accounts offices, and also below-stairs personnel like kitchen-porters, cellarmen and plongeurs—who, unlike the uniformed and waiting staffs rarely, if ever, receive tips of any kind, the loss of this not insubstantial bonus must have been keenly felt at a time when formerly it had helped to meet the increased spending which inevitably comes at Christmas-time. Neither has the Order, contrary to the belief of some, in any way bettered the lot of the clerical workers, who still remain the poor and neglected relations in the richly assorted family that comprises the staff of-the modern luxury hotel.—Yours faithfully,
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