The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-02-16
In New York
Rx PAUL HARRISON

New York.-Lawrence Tibbett the Metropolitan baritone, has had lot of thrills in his time-such as ! the other afternoon, when he took something like fifty curtain calls at the premiere of the Puri- tan opera, Merry Mount" Some other memorable mo- ments were when,th late Nicholas Longworth sat down and played Tibbett's accompaniment at a small concert, and when his twin sons were born, and the tragic day when his father, California sheriff, was killed in a fight with bandits.
 But the most important incident as far as the Tibbett career is con- cerned happened Six years ago, when the young man was appear l ing as Ford in "Falstaff." After the act in which Tibbett sang his aria, somebody mixed the signals backstage and Scotti, who was ! Falstaff, came out for a bow. The audience would have none of such precedent-shatterin behavior, and yelled for Tibbett. Scotti retired pretty red around the ears, and the unknown singer come on to re- ceive oneof the greatest ovations | in the history of the Met. The story got to the front pages, of course, and Tibbet was made. He is about the least snobbisll of any famous artist you can think of. Doesn't mind recalling that he used to sing in church choirs and movie houses for very meager living. And there are some other people who remember that when Tibbett was in the navy during the war he wiped up battleship with another gob who had taunted him about singing classical songs {. He's tall and athletic; used to win swimming trophies. likes to climb mountains, and walks around on his hands as a favorite form of exercise. Thinks the rush of blood to his head is good for his voice. Cornell's Best Brains
 A young doctor who examines this column now and then believes it ought to mention the brain trust' at Cornell university. Cornell collects brains, and has made arrangements for anybody who is so inclined to bequeath his DEdlH IO LIiS lIlSLltutlOHs
 The first necessary step Is for the benefactor to sign and have witnessed two rather elaborately to the curator of the collection at Cornell; the other is kept with the individuals will. There are some other details. The donor is ex- pected to send a photograph of himself, along with a lot of per- sonal data such as color of eyes and hair, and special aptitudes in life. "Describe the peculiar men tai traits as fully as possible" continue the instructions, ''such as: was fond of literary work, mathematics, was a good me- chanic, fond of dancing, sports, reading, music, etc." Also de- manded are such negative details as: Had no musical talent; cared little for dancing, sports, exercise; never did physical work; little me- chanical skill"
 A surprising number of famous and scholarly folk, it is said, have willed their brains to the collec- tion. But the university doesn't announce names.
 Neither the donor nor his
 estate is put to any expense
 in the matter. "The secre-
 tary," it is stated matter-of-
 factly, twill send special
 container for shipping" !:
 Waiting on Walters
 The waiteEs' strike in New York was a great trial to the patience of Broadwaymen, who found them selves being inefficiently served, and often ignored, by lot of ann ateur tray carriers. Julius Tannen was a potential customer at Tony's the other evening, but after a lonely half hour he went to the telephone and dictated this tele- gram:
 TONY
 BACK ROOM so-AND-So WEST 50TH STREET NEW YORK CITY
 AM IN YOUR FRONT ROOM TRYING TO GET A SCOTCH HIGHBALL STOP
 WILL APPRECIATE ANY THING YOU CAN SEE WAY CLEAR TO DO. . JULIUS TANNEN