" Dinner-Crashers"

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 26, 30 July 1932, Page 9

" Dinner-Crashers"

"Dinner-crashers" in London as aresuit of a recent exposure of their methods are paying up. Their practice was -to visit West End. restaurants and sign their bills and leave them unpaid, ..states a correspondent. So great had the • number of unpaid bills become- that, restaurateurs determined to take strong action. - The situation, however, has now altered, "Since the 'Daily Mail' published the facts," said one of the best-known London restaurateurs recently, "there has been a steady reduction in the number of unpaid bills. Further, every post is bringing in cheques to settle old accounts.: In some cases'the debtors state that they have read tho newspaper articles and do not wish to be confused, with common ' dinher-crash-ers.' One bill wag more than a year and a half old!"-

Another restaurant manager told the same story, and added: "Now Tve must deal with 'dud' cheques. I receive on an average fifteen'a^week.1 People, seem, to hayeI'no shame; about cashing them,; and they are ;all returned marked 'B.D:' or 'Account closed.': We cannot ask for cash in ' advance, and so rij>w we are taking police action, ■ It is the only thing, to do." f • • 1 A third restaurateur ednfeased to Idsing £20 on a bad cheque the previous week. He said 'he' had placed the. matter in-the hands of the police,^though the' offender is very well known in the -West End. ' ' ■'.■.';• ;:

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