Waiters And Our Banquets.

WAITERS AND OUR BANQUETS .

WE imagine it will be a source of gratification to many members of the Craft , in the metropolis especially , to learn on the authority of a witness produced by the Secretary of the Amalgamated Waiters' Society , that there is a special rule in connection with Freemasons' dinners , that

the waiters are not allowed to ask for anything in the way of tips . Here is a ready means of putting an end to an annoying practice which has long exercised the minds of many among the leaders of the Craft , the general opinion

being that it is unreasonable to pay the price asked for Masonic banquets and then to be annoyed by the waiters expecting , and at times-almost demanding , separate payment . It is not the question of the sixpence or the shilling each

guest contributes towards this tax , but the principle of the thing that is so annoying , and to afterwards read of the officials of the Waiters' Society—when it suits

them—producing evidence in a Court of Law that the annoyance is not permitted at Masonic dinners , is adding insult to injury , to say the least of it .

The statement to which we refer was made by a witness produced and examined by the Secretary of the Amalgamated Waiters' Society , when the latter opposed the application for the renewal of a music license to the Holborn Restaurant ,

on the ground that the waiters and waitresses employed were paid inadequate wages , and subjected to unreasonable conditions of labour . This witness , among other matters , stated that at dinners of Freemasons the waiters generally

got nothing ( a statement received with loud laughter , according to the report in the " Daily Telegraph " ) , and next stated that " when there was a Freemasons' dinner , there was a special rule against asking for anything , because they

were good customers . ' It such a rule does exist we can only say it is more honoured in the breach than in the observance ; still , we have official information on the point , and the members of the Craft now have a good reason for retusing

to pay the imposition placed upon them by the ordinary waiter at their banquets . 1 he men themselves have supplied the information , who is to blame if it acts to their own disadvantage ? We very much fear , however , that the rules

which it suited the Society to recognise in the court we have spoken of will not be found to work both ways . . No " tipping ' or " tapping" is allowed when the waiter wants to make out his case , but is practised to the fullest extent

whenever the opportunity occurs of putting either into practice . We are pleased to see the Bench of Magistrates who had to deal with the case in question believed just about as much of the evidence in regard to . the waiters innocence

as we do . We should certainly advise officials of the Waiters ' Society to try some other line of argument another time , if they desire to gain anything but contempt for their tactics .

We would also suggest to the management of the Holborn Restaurant , and other large establishments , that they should have this evidence of the Waiters . ' Society printed and prominentl y displayed on their premises . It

Waiters And Our Banquets.

would place them in a much better light with their customers if it were known that waiters tips were not recognised by the Proprietors . As it is now , the ordinary diner imagines it is expected for him to pay for attendance , whereas , as we

take it , the very unpleasant cadging at the end of a dinner is an unwarrantable imposition on the part of the waiters . Why not do the same in regard to banquetting as is finding

so much favour at the tea rooms and many other refreshment places of the metropolis—boldly display the warning " No gratuities allowed . "

The Grand Treasurership.

THE GRAND TREASURERSHIP .

A NUMEROUSLY attended meeting was held at Wycombe House , Hammersmith , on Wednesday , 14 th uit ., the object of which was to promote the candidature of Bro . Captain John Barlow as Grand Treasurer for 1901-2 . Brother Arthur Williams P . M . opened the proceedings ,

and Bro . W . Hillier P . M . was unanimously elected to occupy the chair . Bro . Hillier pointed out that it was necessary that a strong Sub-Committee should be formed to further the interests of Captain Barlow . He had received promises of

support from several influential Brethren residing in the district , who from various causes were unable to be with them , and he trusted those present would put their names down as members ol the Sub-Committee .

Captain Barlow mentioned that he came amongst them as a London Mason , having been initiated , passed and raised at Freemasons' Hall , and had occupied for two years in succession the chairs of J . W ., S . W ., and W . M . He was also

among the Founders of two Lodges in Manchester , and also a Lodge devoted to members or the Dramatic profession . He had also qualified himself as a Patron of the three Institutions .

Bro . Irvine , on behalf of the Central Committee thanked the Brethren for attending in such large numbers ; it showed how popular Bro . Barlow was in the extreme west-end of London . He urged those present to personally canvass on Captain Barlow ' s behalf , as he was the first candidate in the field ; he felt sure he would do credit to their choice .

Brother Walter Potter , the Hon . Sec . for London and district , spoke at considerable length on the qualifications of their candidate , and wished him every success at the poll .

A VERY large and influential meeting of supporters of Bro . Horace Brooks Marshall , M . A ., J . P ., D . L ., was heid at Mark Masons' Hall , on Thursday evening of last week , under the presidency of the Right Hon . the Earl of

Halsbury a Past Grand Warden . During the meeting Lord Halsbury stated it appeared from the Secretary ' s report that not only was Bro . Marshall receiving support from London Masons , where he lived and was so well known , but was also

receiving support from all parts of the kingdom . Lord Halsbury urged upon those present % o do their utmost to return Bro . Horace Brooks Marshall to fill the distinguished Office of Grand Treasurer ..

The Stability Lodge of Instruction ( Henry Muggeridge working ) is held every f ' riday evening , at six o ' clock , during the moniths of October , November , December , January , February , and March , at- Masons' Hall Tavern , Masons ' Avenue , Coleman Street , E . C . The attendance of Brethren is earnestly requested as often and as regularly as their engagements will allow ,