In 1919, as America braced for the arrival of Prohibition, some predicted that banning alcohol would bring more than dry bars and empty saloons. It would spell the end of tipping itself.
A.C. Stephens, president of the Ohio Hotel Association, believed that the disappearance of liquor would also dry up the culture of tipping, forcing hotels and restaurants to turn to machines instead of waiters.
“Tipless” America is Predicted With Coming of Prohibition Times
With the going out of intoxicating liquor, the country will likely go on the tipless basis, according to A.C. Stephens, the president of the Ohio Hotel Association…
“I think the day of tips is over,” said Mr. Stephens. “With the European source of supply practically shut off, it is hard to get waiters. So the hotels have been more and more carefully considering mechanical devices to take the place of servants.
“It is surprising to note how many really good hotels have installed cafeterias. I predict that more of them will do so. The cafeteria, as you know, is a strictly tipless institution. Even in dining rooms where there is service, the movement toward doing away with waiters is making rapid strides. There are all sorts of mechanical devices for this purpose. A mechanical system for checking hats and wraps has already been devised and, I am sure, will soon come into general use.
“With the going out of liquor and the curtailing of tips in consequence of this, waiters will be asking a wage scale two or three times as great as the present one, and the hotel men simply can’t afford to pay it.”
Source: Brownsville Herald. Brownsville, Tex. July 13, 1919.
