AN UP-TO DATE HOTEL.

Evening Star, Issue 11693, 26 September 1902, Page 8

AN UP-TO DATE HOTEL.

The Waldorf Astoria-Hotel, in-New-York (writes Mr Charles Hands, in. .the' ‘Daily Mail’), is as much a national institution - 'in the United States as Westminster. Abbey is in JSnglahd. You enter by one of a dozen tee-to-tum doors, and find yourself in the very centre, apparently, of the life and activity of America.' main corridor, j a .couple of hundred yards-in length, is lined with a double row of > chairs and lounges, every one of which is occupied.. All sprta. and. conditions of • men; representative’ of every interest, are to oe seen- there. Great business men, politicians, members .of the Government, people from every State and Territory, society people, artists, lawyers, soldiers, gamblers, speculators. The place 'is not merely a hotel—it is a pan-American exhibition. It is not only an abiding place for strangers, but it is a general rendezvous and lounging place for residents and nonresidents alike. The New Yorker seems to stroll into the Waldorf to sit down : and wander about and meet acquaintances just as he would stroll into the park. It is’ a sort of 'club - to which everybody belongs, and the appointments are more convenient and luxurious than most clubs; while -you are far. more certain of a cheqrful and companionable hour or two. If you happen to have friends in New York, you are pretty sure to meet them at the Waldorf. If you want to do huaness, you can do it there. If you want to . buy or sell stocks or shares, copper, or wheat, you can find a sort of up-town branch of Wall street. : The latest political gossip or the latest society scandal is hatched and fledged in the restaurants and corridors of the Waldorf.

The big place is conducted on a marvellous system. Every floor of the hotel has its own service. On every floor there is a clerk, who keeps going a system so perfect that any message left at the hotel foe you in your absence will be delivered to you immediately on your return. The clerk keeps a written record of every caller, every message, every parcel, every telegram or telephone inquiry, with the time accurately noted of each. The. visitor of a guest at the hotel can find out in fifty seconds whether his friend be in his room or not. Every letter received, every cam or note left, is stamped in the time clock, with the hour and minute of its receipt