IN PLACE OF TIPS
SIR,—The touring season is upon us, and, in the interests of intending holiday-makers, I feel that a disturbing circumstance should be given publicity. All hotels belonging to Trust Houses, Limited, show a notice reading: "A charge for service is made by the company and included in the bills which it renders." The notice does not, however, reveal the fact that, since February of this year, the 10 per cent. "service charge" that used to be distributed by the resident manager among the staff has been diverted into the company's own coffers. It is true that some adjustment of staff wages was made when that change took place, but careful inquiry shows that the increase in wage does not balance this loss of official gratuity. The majority of tourists, who dislike the tipping system and therefore welcomed the 10 per cent, charge, still assume that that money goes to the staff who served them. Managers are not supposed to reveal the fact that actually the money now goes elsewhere. This increase is most unreasonable. A case I investigated shows that the increase on pre-war tariff was 25 per cent, until last year, when it went up by 20 per cent. (on the new charge). Since February, 10 per cent. has been added even to that charge—a total of 60 per cent, on pre-war tariff. If Trust .Houses, Limited, consider that such an increase is permissible, well and good ; but surely they are in duty bound to make it clear in all their hotels that that final 10 per cent, goes into their own pockets and not into those of
the staff.—I am, Sir, yours, &c., GARRY Hooc. Author's Club, 2 Whitehall Court, S.W. i.
Previous page
