IN PLACE OF TIPS
Sta,—Mr. Garry Hoggs' letter drawing attention to the possible abuses in the growing practice of imposing 10 or even 15 per cent. "service charge" on hotel bills is timely. I have long maintained that " service " is, or should be, one of the main functions for which an hotel charges, and should in no way rank as an extra. If "service charge" is meant to toyer tips, are hotel proprietors in any way entitled to force their guests to pay out a specified amount whether the " service " has been good, bad or indifferent? Any such disbursement should be made directly by the guests to hotel servants in return for personal services rendered, and may well be more or less than 10 per cent. Not only is there no guarantee ithat a "service charge" ever reaches those for whom it is intended, but it is usually levied on the entire bill, which may include wines, cigarettes and other such items,. Furthermore, while 10 per cent. may be con- sidered a reasonable basis on which to tip for one or two people, for a meal or short visit it is an unreasonably heavy addition to a family bill
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