TRAVEL ANECDOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 135, 8 May 1928, Page 2

TRAVEL ANECDOTES

MR M. COHEN IN AMERICA.

ADDRESS TO LUNCH CLI B

Ever an interesting speaker and one who has entertained members on manv previous occasions, Mr M Cohen, who recently returned from America, to-day furnished members oi the Citizens’' Lunch Club with a number of anecdotes which had remained fresh m hl ®‘lT“ppears to be an obligation on the part of members,” commented the speaker at the outset,, “to recount incidents of tours which they might undertake abroad. I have perhaps been privileged beyond the majontj but 1 purpose following the ti le \shoi has been accorded my subject by the club secretary. ‘Stories or liatei, rather than give a detailed account of the trip itself.” The speaker then proceeded to recount a wealth of anecdotes, mentioning that as far back as 35 years ago he had found himself in the beautiful South Pacific when he had had the opportunity of visiting many of the islands which are surrounded with the glamour of'romance. The school books stated that comparisons were odious, but he purposed violating such a text with a view to comparing conditions m the islands of those past days wtih those pertaining to-day. Thereupon Air Cohen proceeded to relate incidents depicting the changed conditions m the islands. Whereas in the earlier days the natives had been clad m garments which were natural to them and had lived under conditions_ peculiarly fitting, todav found many of them educated in Paris or Sail Francisco and living a totally different life, lie wondering whether they had received fitting recompense for the life .they had left behind. While in the islands h<‘ had also visited many of the scenes told in books of his boyhood days “Jhe Mutiny of the Bounty” and “For the Term of His Natural Life." IN SAN FRANCISCO.

Passing on to ‘Ban Francisco. Mr Cohen commented that a national trait of the American was to speak of everything in dollar value and it had furnished him with food for retort with telfing effect where the Pacific Ocean had been extolled by the conductor on a sight seeing tour afe one of the largest oceans on the American sea coast. Belmont Park was a natural beauty spot which had been further assisted by the science of man, tlie speaker proceeding to relate how, when proceeding by train on a visit to the park, he had been most anxious not to over-run a junction where it was necessary for hint to descend. In order to satisfy his repeated requests,. the negro attendant had finally, replied; “Sir, I assure you that I will take as much care of you as if you were one of my own folks.” Belmont Hotel, with its 20,000- acres, its three golf courses, its staff of CO gardeners, had beeti something to marvel at. but unfortunately tlie authorities had exploited it by forming settlements for the leisured classes. One of his objectives in visiting America had been to attend a conference of port authorities, Mr Cohen relating an episode where lie had spoken eulogistically of the Gatun Lock as being next to the Panama Canal itself as an engineering feat, he be'hig quite unconscious of the fact that the designer and supervisor of the work was in the party, the laughter which attended his remraks compelling him to seek an explanation. In touching upon .a train journey, it was mentioned * that a coductor had pointed out a palatial residence which, when the family was in residence, engaged a staff of 60 servants, and when not in residence, entailed the employmet- of a staff of 30 gardeners. The conductor had stated that every man, woman and child in America contributed towards its upkeep and, on being asked for further enlightenment, had replied to the effect that it was one of the homes of Wriglev, of chew-ing-gum fame. “Big Bill” Thompson, of Chicago, was also referred to by the speaker who stated that he was by no means taken seriously by the big majority of the better class Americans who were in reality endeavouring to bring about an cutcnte cordiale with Britain. ’ ..

Many other features . were touched upon by Mr Cohen, the whole going to form a highly interesting address. At the conclusion, Colonel Headland. who presided, called on Mr M. A. Eliott to extend a vote of thanks

to the speaker, the mover expressing the hope that Mr Cohen would address the club on many other occasions.