The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-04-05
DR.. LORENZ TELLS
Of EXPERIENCES
Shoe Shining Business Very
Funny to Him.
HE LIKED ROOSEVELT
And Also Policeman That He
Met.
HE LIKED ROOSEVELT

few foreigners who have VISITED AHer-
,ca have attracted more atten-
tion than DR. Adolf Lorenz, the
distinguished Austrian surgeon VINO
gave new life and vigor to so many
crippled American children, and for this
reason special interest attaches to an ad-
dress which he delivered a few weeks
ago before the Medical Academy Of Wen
> ra an in which he gave a graphic ac-
count of his visit to the United States
The following extracts from the adj
dress show that the Doctor is keen
observer and also that he has fine
sense of humor:-
Every one whom 1 met in America
asked me these two stereotyped ques-
tions:-'Is this your first visit to this
country and What are your impress
sions of America These questions, in
reply to which L had equally stereotyped
answers always ready, are still ringing
in my ears. On my return journey, as
soon as the picturesque hills of Ireland
came in sight and the mail reached us
from Queenstown, letters and kilograms
containing similar questions poured in on
me.
whoever goes to America will learn
The very first day after he lands that II
IS necessary for him always TO be pres
ent in person whenever he desires to have
his shoes polished. l have often asked
Americans why since time is money,
] must be present in person whenever
this Indispensable operation is to be per
formed / have pointed out to them that
a quarter of an hour is generally wasted
in this way They admit that l am right,
but they explain that it is an old custom
and that the regular hotel attendants
have more important work to do than
cleaning shoes. If you want to have your
shoes polished in America you must
either go to a negro or polish them your
self For this reason advise every one
who intends to cross the Atlantic and
who values his independence more than
his personal comfort to provide himself
with brushes and a supply Of polish be-
fore he starts on the journey.
The visitors of the 'Mensa Academica'
will also be interested in learning that
70 have ones shoes polished even once
In America costs as much as a dinner
provided by the 'Mensa.' One can easily
see that under such conditions the cost
of the cleaning shoes very soon exceeds
the original purchase price. Indeed.
cleaning shoes is an excellent business
in America, and these engaged in it make
fine profits.
Small families in America do not
think of keeping servants. If they did
their household expenses would be double
what they are. Moreover. one can get
better and cheaper foo1 IN a restaurant
than at home, or one can I'VE altogether
al a boarding house Americans never if
seldom become domestic servants Is not
the negro. or the 'colored gentleman as
he Is humorously styled, specially de-
signed for that purpose? In the West
japanese, and more frequently the will
ling and industrious Cinnamon, act as
servants. In America where honor equal
to that of the medieval age. is paid to
women. the servant girl considers her
self lady, and insists that her master
and mistress shall treat her as one. If
she considers that she it not treated
properly or has any other cause for dis
pleasure. she leaves her employers with
out moments notice and her mistress
Is obliged to do the best she can until
she succeeds in getting another servant
There is one title in America which
makes powerful impression. though it
is never used in connection with the
names after the manner of ordinary
titles. This title begins with an NJ.
which signifies millionaire one occa-
sionally finds the word in newspapers.
and is also used collectively Thus
several costly places near Central Park
in New York City are known as Mil
lionaires' row. The title professor.
which is SO difficult to obtain in Europe.
carries no weight in America: indeed.
1t is regarded rather as a token of de-
graduation than of honor. The reason
Is because any one who pleases may
assume this title, and many persons who
fancy that they are endowed with bril-
liant qualities do assume it. On landing
IN America I discarded all nv titles
except the M n" and slnposed that
this was sufficient proof Of nv modestv
Very soon however. | discovered that
my M. d was of no account in AmeNi-
ca. since it was an imported title. In
America only the native article is con-
sidered Of any value To my surprise
and annoyance I was summoned before
the Board Of Health soon after my ar
rival in Chicago. Ny doctors degree
! was informed. was a useless title so
far as the State of Illinois was concerned
and was not at liberty to practise medi-
cine in it. Now at last l was thoroughly
Americanized. for ! had not a single
title
read in an evening paper. 'Lorenz
is TO he arrested and soon afterwari
as was returning TO nv hotel l saw
a Nery large and stout policeman come
suddenly toward me. ! was convinced
'hai he intended 10 arrest me. and was
revealing IN the unusual sensation. for
never before had been made a prisoner
When he reached me l faced hin. and
said. Good evening. sir He answered
Are You the famous doctor. Of Vienna ..
certainly I replied. whereupon no
graSIrd my hand and squeezed il with
al his might / cried alord with main
ana Tried 10 free my hand I was really
mad and began 70 abuse the man IA Ger
man. Presently he stepDed hack ana ss,7
as politely as possible. 1 only Wanted
10 shake hands with you ! was agree
sbiy surprised at this turn OF anairs
and Willingly granted his request. though
i had 10 use all my force n save M,
hand from being crushed This ro,,cs-
man accompanied me 10 my hotel and
remained my friend. I took good carr
however, not TO give him another on
Por'unIty OF shaking my hand
"A few weeks later 7 ms -, v,-,-h.