Show FAMOUS SINGER ABJURES PRAISE John Cormack Lands I ills Rival Riyal Thinks Self Too Fat LONDON Feb 5 Ey 6 By The As Associated Press Press John John the tho world famous tenor does no think hes he's the tho worlds world's greatest tenor and he has hM decided 1 objections to being advertised as such Afflicted simultaneously with becoming modesty about his singing and dissatisfaction with his person person- personal personal al appearance Mr McCormack has gone Int Into print with a II protest against being billed 1 as the great great- greatest greatest est eat tenor In the world orld In connection connection tion with with a concert he ho Is giving g at Albert hall hail next Sunda Sunday I I am not the greatest tenor In Inthe inthe the w world ho he said I object to that title There Is no greatest tenor today The Tho greatest Is dead and the next one has not arrived ed Then who Is greater than you OU 7 he was aske asked 1 The Canadian singer Edward Johnson he ho promptly He 1 Is the best all around tenor In the world and In addition he has a perfect figure which 8 so few ew tenors possess The latest lament drew out some pleasantries at Mr McCormack's expense which were made durin during his Japanese tour and were based on his alleged resemblance to a plump Japanese god In order to to please his daughter he has been dieting In an effort to reduce hi I figure This deprives him bins of o bread butter and potatoes a II bitter deprivation deprivation for tor an Irishman he says al- al although although al although though a glance clance at the mirror at- at af at affords tor fords some compensation It appears that Mr McCormack has some political aspirations which may develop when he retires as he hopes to do when he reaches the age of 60 50 lila Ills ambition Is to be- be become be como be-como come minister of arts If It his friend President Cosgrave of the Irish Free State can cnn see seo his way clear to create a ministry of fine fino arts The noted singer has bought a an anew n new w home In County where ho hopes to spend the next few fow summers looking for a new Irish singer on whom his mantle eventually may fall RETURNS COMPLIMENT NEW YORK YORI Feb Joeb By 5 5 By The Associated Press The Prees The same to you was the reply ot of o Edward Johnson Canadian tenor with the Metropolitan Opera company to John McCormack's remark in Lon Len London Lendon London don Friday that Johnson Is a great or er singer than himself as well as the best around all operatic tenor In the tho world As Ae coming coining from one tenor to another says Mr Johnson I should say It was Vias the acme of gen generosity Further although l startled by Its kindly flattery I must say that hi his expression Is exactly m roy feeling for tor John a II great artist and anda anda II a kindly friend nn |