Life, 1926-10-14 · page 42 of 44
Life — October 14, 1926 — page 42: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **Statler Hotels advertisement** masquerading as editorial content. The page features a signed message (appears to be from E.M. Statler, the hotel chain's founder) promoting the company's philosophy of customer service and expansion. The small **sketch** shows two figures in period dress (appearing to be early 20th-century travelers or hotel patrons) in conversation—likely illustrating the "experienced traveler" referenced in the P.S., suggesting word-of-mouth satisfaction drives business. **The pitch:** Statler Hotels emphasizes building "for the future" through constant improvement and competitive pricing. The text appeals to travelers' desire for reliable quality and value—positioning Statler as the thinking person's hotel choice. The promise emphasizes employee accountability ("turn the matter over to his superior") as a service guarantee. This reflects **early 1900s business marketing**: targeting middle-class travelers by promising efficiency, modern amenities (private baths, reading lamps, morning newspapers), and democratized luxury through low rates. There's no satire here—it's straightforward corporate self-promotion framed as customer-focused philosophy.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Life Hotels that Look Ahead INCE I built my first hotel, nineteen years ago, I've thought more of getting travelers’ good-will than of This company has, from the first, getting quick profits. built for the future. We're still building for the future—not only by building new hotels (as at this ; time in Boston) but also by con- stant improve- ments in our hotels in those cities where we are well established. those properties new, We're keeping im- proving them all the time, always looking ahead. The very foundation of this business is “better value to the customer,” and it keeps Boston's Hotel Statler is Building A aew Hotel Statler is un- der construction in the up- town district of Boston—to be opened late this year, with 1300 rooms, 1300 baths. And an Office Building: Adjoining the hotel will be the Statler Office Building with 200,000 square feet of highly desieable office space, ready in October; Reni Managers W. H. Ballard Co., 45 Milk Street, Boston. us everlastingly busy seeing that he gets it. He does get it —in rooms, in food, in serv- ice, in comfort and_ satisfac- tion. You're invited to come to any of our houses with that thought in mind; it’s a promise. a And if, in trans- actions in our PS. get something less than the complete satisfaction we promise you, I wish you'd just remind the employee serving you of bis promise to me— which is to satisfy you if he can; or, if he can’t, to turn the matter over to his superior at once. You'll get satisfaction, every time, if it’s someone in authority. L00Navbn The experienced traveler plans his route to bring him to a Statler Hotel for over Sunday. Rates are unusually low, in comparison with those of other first-class hotels: Rates are from $3.00 in Cleveland, Detroit and St. Louis; from $3.50 in Buffalo, and from $4.00 in New York. For two people these rooms are $4.50 in Cleveland and St. Louis, $5.00 im Detroit, $5.50 in Buffalo, and $6.00 in New York. Twin-bed rooms (for two) are from $5.50 in Cleveland, Detroit and St. Louis; from $6.50 in Buffalo, and from $7.00 in New York. And remember that every room in these houses has its own private bath, circulating ice water, and many other conveniences that are un- Buffalo~Cleveland~Detroit~St.Louis usual —such as, for instance, the bed-head read. ing lamp, the full-length mirror, the morning paper that is delivered to your room before you wake, Everything sold at the news-stands — cigars, cigarettes, tobaccos, newspapers, etc.—is 5 prevailing street-store prices. You pay no more here than elsewhere. In each hotel is a cafeteria, or a lunch-counter, of both —in addition to its other excellent 1 taurants. Club breakfasts—good club breakfasts —are served in all the hotels. Hotel ‘New York The largest hotel in the world — with 2200 rooms, 2200 baths. On 7th Ave., 324 to 33d Sts., directly opposite the Penasylvania Stauon. A Seatler-operated hotel, with all the comforts and coa- veniences of other Statlers, and with the same polices of courteous, intelligent and helpful service by all ‘employees. And Statler-Operated Hotel Pennsylvania~New York comicbooks.com