SYNDICATE OF UNOFFICIAL GUIDES MONOPOLIZE CAPITOL TOURS
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On July 26, 1923, The Evening Star reports that a "syndicate of thirteen unofficial guides has a monopoly, charging...twenty-five cents each" for sightseers of the Capitol Building of the United States of America.
According to the Star's reporting, these guides are not paid by the federal government but are under its protection. They show hundreds of visitors through the building daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The "Lucky 13" are accountable to no one. Their tours last about forty minutes and although visitors are permitted in the Capitol free-of-charge, they must fork over a quarter if they want a 'guided' tour.
This system was established it 1876 and as of 1923 the United States Capitol was the only building in Washington, D.C. where it continued.
JFK+50 NOTE
In 1923, visitors were free to roam about the Capitol but had to leave umbrellas and cameras "at the door." Today, the Capitol Visitor Center offers tours free of charge every ten minutes from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tour guides are described as 'professional.'
On our most recent visit to Washington a couple of week's ago we walked around on the East side of the Capitol building. It was a beautiful day and no one approached us asking for a quarter.
SOURCES
"Ballyhoo Artists Make Sideshow Out Of United States Capitol," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., July 26, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
United States Capitol Visitor Center, www.visitthecapitol.gov/
