Schumann-Heink Finds Happy Home Foundation of National Solidity--Famous Singer Much Opposed to Women Smoking

"I do not smoke, never have and never shall" were the emphatic words of Schumann-Heink, celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of her singing career in Boston. "I don't believe in it for women; let us leave just a little of the poetry attached to the name of woman. Of course it is all right for men; but when I see women and especially young girls smoking I could slap their faces right and left!"

Mme. Schumann-Heink believes that American men give their women much too much freedom. "American men are undoubtedly the finest I know, but they are cowards in their relations with women! They are afraid of losing them if they assert themselves. That is the state to which our men are dominated by women."

The foundation of all national solidity, according to the great contralto is the happy home, and that can only exist if the man rules. Not only the children but the wife as well should look up to and revere the father in every household. American women are quite on a par with our men in Mme. Schumann-Heink's opinion, but they should do something practical with their time instead of wasting it as they do today.

"A year from this June I am going to end my career as a singer. I shall then have been on the concert stage for 52 years which is quite enough and shall go back to my home in California for the rest of my days. I think every American should see this country before going to Europe as so many do. The scenery is quite as wonderful as abroad, and as for atmosphere, ancient buildings and the rest, most tourists get nothing out of these anyway, and might quite as well gape in their own country."