Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-04-22
Schunna,,n-Hei,,k Is
Commissioned to Sing
to American Soldiers

New York, April GA govern
ment commission has just been re-
ceived by Nine. Ernestine Schu-
mann-Heink to begin tour of the
United States army environments,
singing for soldiers. From now until
the end of the year Nine. Schumann-
Heink will sing only under the di-
rection of the government for the
army and navy, for the Red Cross or
for any war charities at which she !s
officially asked to appear
The opera star left for Washing
ton after her liberty loan concert
Saturday night at Carnegie Hall, to
fulfill the first engagement of her
new commission.
Marching orders!" she cried
blithely, when leaving at behest of
telegram headed ~. S. Govern
ment."
81 am very happy" said the great
singer. RI feel now that l am really
in the service of Uncle SAM"
The commission of Nine. Schu-
mann-Heink is cause for particular
congratu1ation. Since the war began
she has been singing at every oppor-
tunity between concert engagements
for the men in training, until at
Camp Funston recently she was
christened Mother of the ARMY"
She has been decorated three times
for valuable service, and is the
first woman Honorary Colonel" of
the United States Infantry. Her pri-
vate subscription for Liberty Bonds
is more than 100000. She was the
first opera singer to offer her ser
vices to the government.
"But l was always ashamed of
that Offer" she said yesterday. II
had concert contracts made before
the war to fulfill you see. So to the
government could offer only part
of my time. But now am singing
my final concerts of the year. My
arrangements will soon be complet-
ed and 1 can give all my time to
government work.
what songs will sing? Well,
whatever 1 think the boys will like
best. Always, of course, the inspired
Star Spangled Banner and then
some simple little ballads that re-
mind them of home. Just the other
day a new song came to me from a
young California composer. I think
it is the most beautiful soldier song
1 have ever heard. "A Soldiers
Dream is the title-a simple. exqui-
site, tender little song, telling sol
dier's vision of his home and moth
er. sang it for the first time at Car
negie Hall, and it was so loved by
the people / think will sing it al
| ways at cantonments.
Four of Nine. Schumann-Heink's
sons are already in government serv-
ice. The youngest, George Washing
ton, who enlisted in the navy while
a student at Culver Military Acade-
my, was given special leave to at
tend his mothers concert Saturday
night at Carnegie Hall, and to &C
company her to Washington.
Another of my boys jokes with
me cruelty. This poor, lad was re-
jected for the army because some
thing was wrong with his toes.
Then cut off the toes he decided
I thought he was mad, but the doc
tors fixed his toes and he was &C
cepted. He became fourth-class
cook.
Zone letter I had from him said
that his duties at present were peel
ing potatoes might not seem to
be doing much toward winning the
war-'but, mother, I will say that
peel my potatoes very thin
"When I was in Washington,
told the story as a fine Joke to a
certain officer. And few days lat
er had a telegram. very indignant
from my boy. Please. mother, stop
telling that potato story it said.
Don't you know I've been promoted
to second-class COOKE
Now l am talking of the light
side Of my new work. But you must
know that I do not etakeNit lightly
From the bottom of my heart am
serious about helping in any way
can. the country which has been my
home for years, and which l have to
thank for any success, any position
may have gained. Surely the least
I can do in return for all the kind
ness, the love, the hospitality shown
me by the great United States is
now to put my services at the gov
ernment's disposal"
So the Mother of the Army
hopes to merit by deed the title al
ready conferred upon her by hum
dreds Of thousands of American sol
diers.
Men Wanted For Tank Service.
Special to Times Republican.
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