The sun., 1919-02-23
BY WILLIS STEEL.

rs there a woman in New York with
wealth so abundant, position so
= impregnable and energy so dy-
manic that she would undertake TO
institute benefit for a charity. hire a
hall-even hire the Metropolitan opera
House-direct the benefit and manage
the details. including the selling of
boxes and seats. all by her loney?
Is there such a woman in the world
provided she is not ignorant Of the
immensely of the task who would
undertake this by herself?
There is-just one. Her name is
Mary Garden.
The famous singing actor not only
would undertake the job. She has. On
March 25 there will be a great benefit
at the Metropolitan opera House for
devastated France. Preparations for
II we're begun. are being carried on and
will be carried out; and the plan, which
is her own, will be followed TO a sue
cessful conclusion by Miss Garden. No
body who knows her will doubt It.
But surely, Miss Garden, you have
appointed innumerable committees of
women to select the volunteers, to
pltronize the affair, to watch rehear-
sails to do all the thousand and one
things that are necessary to attract
public, and, biggest task of any. to
sell the tickets?"
"Not one" replied the singer with a
Veritable sweeping gesture, as If she
swept every obstacle from her path. II
have neither asked nor appointed any
friends to help. / am going to make
the benefit alone, and l do not fear
the result. And to convince you that
what you call the biggest task doesn't
frighten me I will tell you that have
already had a fine time selling the tick
cts ! have sold thirty boxes for 81 900
each, and many. many seats at a pro-
portionate figure, and a great sum is
sure to be collected.
Marshal Petain will be here to pre-
side over the affair, and 1 expect as
my guests the real dignitaries OF
America Several Of them have al
ready accepted invitations. The bill is
stu too incomplete to merit publica-
uon, but I can say that the Boston
symphony Orchestra, under the direc-
lion OF that superb conductor Henry
Rabaud. is to play. there are to be
some Russian dancers, and we are to
give one act of 'Pelleas and Melisande.'
Eager to Do for France.
"Old as the subject is, and in a fair
way TO become trite, )" she continued,
y welcome every chance to do what
can for poor France that was my
mother when I sorely needed one. /
owe her too much ever to be migrate
iu! and | do not believe people COM
prehend how much Is necessary TO be
cone 10 save her. Every day / mark
The signs which indicate that she will
havc TO rise again by her own wings.
60 she will ! do not doubt, but while
tne memory Of the war ia still fresh let
the prosperous of the earth recognize
That she needs help.
oh. these stereotyped phrases!
hear them all around and I am
wearied. Franco Is such a provident
nation; she has within herself so great
fecuperauve power; recollect how
quickly she paid her indemnity OF
h'O;' 1t is the reiteration OF these
heartless sayings that conyinces me
mat In a very few years the horrors
OF this war and the lessons it has
taught us will have paled to a sort OF
rhetorical exaggeration. Time! Time!
what can It not efface?
i was in Scotland relaxing from
hard season at the place my father
AID ! bought together when in June OF
1914 received a telegram from ar
adorable American couple. friends
whom l really love to be with. IT said
.hey had secured me my place fol
arsifal' at Bayreuth. ! was delighted
hayren,h. end especially .pasalfai,. at.
.racted me to the degree that thought
didn't mind breaking up my vacation