Scranton, Pa. Sept. 18, 1925

Sirs: A letter published in the Sept 14 issue of TIME pleading for more simple English words" may be only that one reader's request, but won't you please consider those of us who delight in coming upon new or unusual words? To me, a perusal of your incomparable paper is fraught with hid den joys because of the sport attendant on sedulously ferreting out the meaning of such refreshingly unusual expressions. When I read TIME, a modern dictionary is usually at hand; otherwise, I mark the words as I happen upon them.

I am safe in saying that I have augmented my vocabulary by some hundreds of words and phrases. . .

J. A. TANNENBAUM

Dislikes Mystery

Homestead, Fla. Sept. 25, 1925

TIME

The News-Magazine Sirs: I was one of your original subscribers, decided at the end of the first year that could not well do without TIME I am always interested in National and International politics-also other news features I like your brevity. But I do not like the mystery in which you enshroud many of your news items. I wonder why you can't boil the news down in plain English--in language the average reader can understand. Why all the display of more or less profound scholarship !

Busy people should not be required to resort to a dictionary to ferret out your mysterious expressions when discussing ordinary happenings. I might.add also that some of your musical criticisms are

These criticisms are honestly offered in the hope that they may throw a new light upon your work. The purpose of you magazine is good. Let it be really a time saver. JAMES E. ELDER

Request

Lexington, Va. Sept. 25, 1925

TIME

The News-Magazine

Sirs: I dislike to criticize TIME--it's too good for that--and so let's call this letter a request for information.

Page 23, TIME, Sept. 21: "He [Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick was ever a Baptist." Why not is? Has he ever been any thing else since he has belonged to any denomination? I believe Dr. Fosdick has retained his membership in the Montclair Baptist Church even since he has preached at the First Presbyterian Church, New York.

J CARL A. Foss

In the Virgins

TIME St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

The News-Magazine Sept. 12, 1. Sirs: Please permit me to take exception to the statement of W. Inge from Los Angeles, Calif., where he states (on your letter page) that it is difficult to get a copy of your worthy periodical in the West Indies, and when one does get a copy, it is out of date.

"You will note the date line of this letter, and I am quoting from your issue of Sept. 7; five days have elapsed and seldom happens that I am unable to get my copy each week. .

JOSEPH REYNOLDS

Societas Philosophorum

Cambridge, Mass. Sept. 21, 1925

The News-Magazine

Sirs: It is something of a luxury to catch TIME a century behind the times, as it certainly is when it refers (Sept. 21 issue) to the Phi Beta Kappa as a secret. The society stopped klu-klukking a long time ago. Phi Beta Kappa (not P. B. K., for the character P is the Greek R) is transliterated Philosophia Biou Kubernetes, meaning "Philosophy is the guide of Me , this is not the Society's name, which I represented by the S. P. (Societas Philosophorum) on the keys.

KENNETH CONANT

Cook's Defended

Chicago, Ill. Sept. 25, 1925

TIME

The News-Magazine

Sirs: I am not an Original Subscriber. Indeed I am no subscriber at all. But I have purchased many a copy of TIME from newsstands--here in the U. S and in France (Brentano's) as well. And I feel that I have a right to be heard, when I have a grievance. I view wlth considerable disfavor the phrase "Thos. Cook & Son and other panders of rubberneckery", occurring in your issue of Sept. 21, page 12, column 3. " With my late husband, I traveled extensively, both in Europe and the East, under the auspices or with the assistance of agents of Thos. Cook & Sons. Believe me, they were more often young men, harrassed by the unreasonable demands of travelers far from home, than "panders seeking to lure the unwary still further.

As for "rubbernecking," what travel agency can defend itself against the not overwhelming percentage of humanity which you have in mind? The necks of travelers "rubber" and otherwise, are as their Creator made them. Why place the blame lower? Why set it on the shoulders of a single travel company?

Of course your article is not actually invidious. The surest way into the heart; of "travelers" is to remind them that some travelers ("present company always accepted!") are "rubbernecks". It gives us all such a feeling of superiority! surely an established and respected firm like Cook's need not be slaughtered to make a travelers' holiday. . . .

MRS. OLIVER H. H. BLACK Reader Black's points are well taken. The phrase, illadvised, must never recur.--Ed.