The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-10-10

When he'd roll on another keg, we
to renew the revelry.
But in Old Heidelberg" he We
some big, some small" Mr.. Alt
mann's eyes shone when he talked
of Heidelberg. Because his father
was a professor at Heidelberg, he
paid no tuition. He didn't forget
his country's generosity when ne
earned money in this country. He
financed his two brothers education
there. and one followed the profess
sion he gave up to be maltre
dhotel.
Mr.. Altman comes from New
York. where he was known as the
waiter with aplomb. They called
him a cavalier of manners. he
knows and is known by ceieorltles
and socially elite. At debuts
he announced the arrival OF
the fashionables He went from
New York to Morristown, N. j., to
perform this duty at the debut OF
the daughter of former Senator
Fruhlinghauser.
FavOrite With Actors
He worked at Murray's Roman
Garden next door to the Amster-
dam. where he became a favorlte
with stage stars. When Florence
Weber. the original star of The
Chocolate Soldier appeared this
fall at the Pretzel-Bell, she
stretched out her hands and cried,
You long legged Dutchman, you,
are you still alive?" The band
struck up the tunes of "The Choco-
late Soldier" and she sang.
When Frances Cameron, in prl-
vate life, Mrs. John Kitchen, OF
New York, came in one night with
a party of G.. M. Williams, Altman
Immediately recognized her as the
original Merry Widow" He whis-
pered to the band leader, and Mrs.
kitchens eyes shone with tears OF
happy memories as it played Merry
Widow" songs. She greeted Alt
mann enthusiastically and sang the
songs that made her a show favorlte
in years gone by.
All Join in Revelry
Every one joins in the tuneful
revelrv of the Pretzel-Ben. Old
bankers call for songs of their COL
legea days. Patrons ask for Side
walks of New York" Daisy" and
Bicycle Built for Two" and Ger
man songs, atune to the atmosphere
of the restaurant.
Guests offer their entertainment.
w. A. Atkins and G. M. Williams
play the violin. Every one sings,
lifts up his stein in fellowship.
From the time patrons see Will
fommen" on the front door until
they leave with "Auf weidersein"
greeting them at the exit, the atmos-
phere is pleasantly German. SYM
bols of the culinary tastes of the
race are produced in art glass at
the front windows. There's a pref
eel in one little square, wiener
stuck in a fork, a herring and
radiSh in others.
Expert on Hot Dogs
Tables are laid with red and
white and blue and white checked
cloths. Two old German colored
plates, depicting convivial scenes of
German folk are the pride of
Russell w. Johnston, co-owner with
Phillip Stapp of Richmond. Mr..
Johnston inherited his interest in
things German from his father.
William Johnston, who, while not
German, spoke its language almost
exclusively He became so imbued
with the nations customs that he
even looked German" his son says
today.
Altman knows all there is to know
of hot dogs. He served sixteen years
at Feltman's, famous Coney Island
restaurant, where the hot dog
popularity had it origin.
Brought Idea to U. s.
1t was the late Charles Feltmann
ST., who introduced the old German
idea in America
Altman is tall and dark, fault
leSSly groomed His voice is soft
and pleasant with its German &C
cent. His tact and diplomacy is
rare. DO know who came with
some one else'S wife? All, yes! Do
I tell? Never. I see everything,
but I tell nothing" he conf1ded.
FrequenterS of the Mayfair, Del
monico'S, the Four Hundred Club,
all of New York, and fashionable
summer resort hoStelries were ia
vored with his courtly attentions.
Beer Not Enough
When he arranged the opening
of the Roosevelt. planning three
dining rooms, for blends. brunets
and titianS, Florenz Ziegfeld said
to him, You put that over" He's
a favorite of Jimmie Walker and
dozens of other prominent New
Workers.
He looks forward to the day when
more than beer will be legal. Beer
alone will not do. Beer is all right
in The afternoon with sauerb~aten,
maybe. but when people go out at
night they don't want beer he said
as he recalled the days when the
epicure chose his drinks with art
full care.