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Show o : . H THE SOAK 'EM SPIRIT. Bl It was remarked by those who attended the inaugura- B lion at Washington, that they were sized up and assessed B any old price for accommodation that it was thought they H could pay. This method of fixing prices is unfortunately H much too common. K A lot of that sort of thing is seen in hotels catering H to motor parties. For years automobile loads have been B Wowing through these places, who didn't care a rap what H the size of the bill was. They are willing to pay anything B that was asked, and all they desired was to have the bill B quick so they could get out and make the next town be- B fore dark. Under those circumstances a place would be B mighty short on human nature if it did not stick on every B considerable number of dollars. B When motoring became more Democratic and popu- B 'Iar, this same habit had to be used with some caution, as B there are a great many people touring now who have only B limited means and who do not take kindly to extortion. B They may pay the bill without argument, but they tell all B their friends and the place gets a black eye among that B class. B ) A great many popular resorts are run on the same fcasis. At every turn you find some device for working B mall coins out of people. The managements seem to J I fhinlc that if they can extract a quarter here and a half B' there, people never notice it or know the difference. But people do realize it, they feel an undertone of indignation, and they keep away from such places again. Business success is best built on a foundation of fair and reasonable charges, assessed the same against all comers. It wealthy people wish extra services, and if they want more comfortable rooms, let' them pay for it. Bue even wealthy people do not like to be gouged. They have a keen idea of the value of money, and dislike being buncoed even if well able to say, "Darn the expense." |