The Alliance Herald

COMMENT & DISCOMMENT

Do you remember the story of the colored boy who was undergoing his first day in the trenches? The shells kept whizzing overhead and for an hour or two none happened to light within dangerous distance. The colored youth got exceedingly brave. He craved excitement. Jumping up on top of the trench, he shouted: "Come on, you Boches, I dare you to hit me." Just at that instant a shell exploded a few feet in front of him, knocking him back into the trench and covering him with dirt and confusion. He dusted himself off, greatly chastened, and said in a sincere tone:

Well, there's one thing you've got to say for those Germans--they sure do give you service when you ask for it.

This story, which probably isn't as new as it ought to be, is called to mind by the quick results the traveling men are getting in their campaign to reduce hotel rates. Less than ten days elapsed since they announced they were going to have lower rates or know the reason why, and almost at once came the announcement by the Lincoln hotel that beginning August 1, the $1.50 a day rate was re-established, not only for the Lincoln hotel, but for the hotels owned by the company at Omaha, Sioux Falls, Scottsbluff and Table Rock. The Rome hotel of Omaha followed suit within twenty-four hours. This is the beginning of the end, and inside of another thirty days the lower rates should be in effect pretty generally all over the state.

The traveling men and the firms that employ them worked together on this proposition. The big wholesale houses began to deluge the hotel men with letters reminding them that times were hard and business was slow; that passenger rates were high, and that expense accounts were getting not only too high for comfort, but for profit. The hotelkeepers were given to understand that unless the rates came down, some of the men would come off the road.

It hasn't been only a few weeks since the manager of a big Lincoln hotel was sniffing the air contemptuously at the stories about the big crowds of automobile tourists who carry tents along with them to escape the payment of hotel bills. This hotel manager intimated that the hotels weren't losing much from the fellows who form the tent colony. According to his idea, it was only the cheap skates who always kick at the service and are hardest to suit. However, it's pretty plain that this was a case of "sour grapes", for anyone who travels about the country today will tell you that the tourist campers are, for the most part, the people who used to stop at the hotels. You'll find Packards and Pierce-Arrows right alongside the lowly Fords on the roadside.

The Lincoln hotel's manager explains that the reduction in rates isn't really justified, but is deemed wise because of its salutary effect on business generally. "It's a step back toward normalcy," Mr. Barrett, who is manager of the hotel, then utters his first plaint concerning the advent of prohibition and its effect on the business.

"The hotels," he says, "are beginning to feel the pinch of prohibition. It will be recalled that we have been deprived of our most profitable source of revenue, the bar. We miss the sustaining revenue that came from this source."

We make great attempts to help Mr. Barrett by saying that his other hotels operate on such a large scale that it is able to effect economies of scale that it can, and concerns cannot, and therefore it is unlikely that other hotels will follow suit. However, with a number of prominent hotels scattered well over the state decreasing their rates, it is but reasonable to suppose that others will follow.

The traveling men have strong organizations, and they can pass the word around among their members that they can pass the result that hotels that fail to follow suit will find their patronage dwindling. Those that st service when traveling men do g they ask for it.

It has been several years since we run on a Lincoln daily and spent most of the time getting copy loafing and gassing is and Night Captain Dee passed on only a few weeks ago, and his place has been taken by a man whose name is totally unfamiliar. His cheerful way of talking reminds us of Jack Dee, however, who was forever joking with and of the prisoners who were under his care.

One night while we were waiting for something to happen, the door opened and a young man, very much frightened and very much out of breath, came rushing up in front of the sergeant. "I want protection," he gasped. "Lock me up in the darkest cell you've got."

The captain was accommodating and put him away after he had told a thrilling tale of being assaulted by a mob at some little town near the city. He thought a gang was after him and wanted his life, but it turned out that it was all a delusion. Two or three hours after he had been put away for the night, we walked back to see him. He was perched on the edge of his bunk, looking at the steel wall, and chuckling to himself. "What the joke?" asked the captain. "Oh, no joke at all," said the fugitive, "I was just enjoying the moving pictures. Those last two comedies you put on were good ones."

Captain Dee turned without a smile and said to the reporters: "You see how we treat our prisoners, we don't make any charge for this entertainment."

The new police captain has just that kind of a sense of humor, if we can judge by his comments on the reduction of hotel rates. He spoke quizzically of the hotel run in connection with the police station, and this is what he said: "In the first place, we will make no reduction in the price of food or lodging, because we have always been on a pre-war basis. The old rate of ten cents per meal with room furnished free was never changed and will probably be maintained for some time."

The captain then went on to defend the policy of his hotel and point out some superior advantages not offered elsewhere, to his knowledge.

"We furnish taxi service to the hotel for our guests. The rooms are all cool and on the shady side of the building. They are modern in every way except telephone. All have a bath and toilet in connection.

"One of the annoyances to which the sojourners in the average hotel are subjected--namely tipping--is entirely eliminated here. A bellhop is always on duty and can accept no cash offerings.

"Another feature which we claim is exceptional, is that if our roomers desire it, their three square meals will be served in the room. Usually in hotels of this class but two slim meals are served under the conditions.

"In addition, free medical attendance is always at the disposal of our guests. Visitors have plenty of time to sleep and the rooms are quiet."

The captain mentioned many other advantages and desirable features, but those mentioned convey the high estimate he holds of the quality and service furnished by the city of Lincoln. At the rate charged, we believe this is the cheapest place to stop while in Lincoln. The service is probably poor enough, but you're not paying for service. If you are heading east on an automobile tour, stop off at the Hotel de Jail for a day or two. You can't afford to use the tent.