No Springboard
Sirs:
You did me the honor to print my letter of May 23, but again you indulged in your proclivity for footnotes, and when it comes to "foot" notes you seem to have a penchant for putting your foot in it!
I turned several forward somersaults from the mat and not one from the springboard. I did somersaults backward from the springboard and from the mat. I do not know where your reporter got this information.
IRVING K. POND
P. S.--It may be interesting to you to know that such notes as you have favored me with, which are not at all uncommon in TIME, tend to make the magazine a bit tiresome and have lost it more than one of its earlier subscribers.
I. K. P.
Chicago, Ill.
TIME inferred that Mr. Pond had done his somersaults from a springboard because of the photograph shown above--which was widely circulated by Pacific & Atlantic news photo service the day after Mr. Pond (aged 70) performed his difficult feat. For Mr. Pond to have turned aerial somersaults from a springboard is remarkable. For him to have turned them from the mat is all the more remarkable. TIME regrets that it unconsciously belittled Mr. Pond's feat, joins now in loud applause. --ED.
"Foul" Dowse
Sirs:
The term "foul" seems to be in good usage at present among the British aristocracy ; and I therefore wish to apply it with all possible emphasis to the letter appearing in your issue of June 13, and signed by Cyril D. H. G. Dillington-Dowse of London, His insinuation that "the Yanks, a nation far removed and by no means of the first rank. . . found themselves in 1914-1918 too proud to fight" is a foul and slanderous lie.
It is with difficulty that I restrain myself from coupling the hyphenated name of this British "Dowse" with that of a certain unmentionable insect.
My only grandson was killed in action during the year 1917. He and very many other young men of our nation were not at any time "too proud to fight."
I mention first the insinuations of Mr. Dillington-Dowse against the people of the United States. Secondly I should like to express the opinion that his patronizing belittlement of, TIME, coupled with the ridiculous mishandling of tense in his letter, arouses in my mind the very gravest suspicions as to how he obtained the stationery bearing the imprint of the "Author's Club, 2 Whitehall Court, S. W. 1, London, England."
CARTER WRIGHT BURNS
Southampton, L. I.
Red, White, Blue
Sirs:
While so many of your readers seem to be writing detractions of your red-bordered cover [TIME, Jan. 31, Feb. 14, April 18. May 2, 9, and June 13], I wish to offer a constructive suggestion. Your cover is already red and white, so why not print the word TIME in blue? Then change your subhead from "The Weekly Newsmagazine" to "The National Weekly" (this also in blue).
You would then have a cover of real drawing power and high patriotic appeal. The thousands of school children who read TIME could not help but find this a great inspiration. Imagine a schoolroom bright with our flag, and a red, white and blue TIME on every pupil's desk.
LUCY T. BUSK
Indianapolis, Ind.
Collier's Magazine adopted "The National Weekly" as its subtitle on Jan. 7, 1905. Doubtless the phrase is protected by copyright.
But do TIME subscribers, patriotic, favor a red-white-blue cover? --ED.
Hopeless
Sirs:
It is perfectly evident that Mr. Stanley Bloodgood (TIME, June 6) is single, and does not come in contact with many of the intelligent women of America. However I believe his case hopeless, if you know what I mean.
It would interest me greatly to know just how many women write you about this man. . . .
MRS. ELIZABETH ROUNSEVELLE
Pinehurst, N. C.
Seventeen women and four men flayed Stanley Bloodgood.
And their letters were forwarded by TIME to Mr. Bloodgood.--ED.
Boston Flayed
Sirs:
Why waste valuable space in your columns publishing such vapid letters as that of Charles A. Boston [TIME, June 6], who wishes to create the impression that he is so busy that he cannot stop occasionally to read something that will keep him abreast of the times. That doesn't interest your readers. He must have been the man, a friend of whom wanted to give him a book for a birthday gift, hearing of which another friend said: No, don't give him a book, he has one."
I admire, read and enjoy TIME. My subscription is extended to 1930. . .
WM. A. Nickert
The Eighth National Bank
Philadelphia, Pa.
Altman Flayed
Sirs:
I sincerely hope you will soon get through printing such atheistic fulminations as that of Stanley B. Altman [TIME, May 30] .... Personally I am a profound believer in God and religion; but if I were to lose my faith, I certainly would not want to disturb the faith of others. I agree with Robert Quillen who says that there is a mean streak in anyone who tries to destroy the faith of another. .
L. J. DUGAN
Jersey City, N. J.
Sirs:
Why give valuable space in your worthy publication to such stuff as "Again, Altman"? The list of Bible chapters recommended by him for study condemns him as nothing else could. People are judged by the company they keep (human or literary). That regular HE-men can be Christian Gentlemen is strongly illustrated in the lives of Generals Foch, Pershing, Summerall, Lejeune, and many others.
Oh, yes, Jesus Christ still lives and will continue to live long after those who would crucify him over and over again are nothing but the merest dust.
HENRY B. SOULE
Lt. Commander, U. S. N. Ret. Fairfax, Va.
Amused
Sirs:
I have been amused at the letters from one of our members, Mr. Stanley Altman, which you have been fair enough to publish (TIME, May 2, 30). I am of the opinion that he has bested you, and that's quite a feat in itself. Really, I congratulate you on publishing them.
Of course, entre nous, you are forced to be servile to public opinion, and cannot call your mind your own--when you are in your office. Your refusal of Haldeman-Julius's advertising must have made you keep away from mirrors for a while. I have been surprised at the class of periodicals he has entered with his advertising, and believe you would be safe in taking him in now.
With every good wish,
FREEMAN HOPWOOD
General Secretary American Association for the Advancement of Atheism, Inc. New York, N. Y.
Too Staccato
Sirs:
Please discontinue sending me TIME. The style is too staccato--I find it makes me "jumpy."
MRS. F. B. REEVES JR.
Blue Bell, Pa.
(Continued from p. 24)
Smyth Flayed
Sirs:
The President of the United States is as much respected as the President of Mexico or the King of England, whether he rides in a million-dollar train or a Ford.
If Mr. Bramburn Smyth [TIME, June 6] prefers the "poise (pomp?) and dignity" of the English aristocracy to the equality and democracy of the United States, there are a number of boats making regular sailings, any of which would be pleased to accept his passage money.
F. E. MICHEL
Oak Park, Ill.
King Flayed
Sirs:
Your magazine deals with personalities. I am not interested in people. I am interested in the forces that make people act. I have no time to waste reading about the King of England. What did he ever achieve?
T. COLLAR
P. S. Please cancel my subscription. New York, N. Y.
Shepherd Corrected
In Reader Shepherd's letter (TIME, June 6) he said, "Why do you sit Reader Gibbons down so hard?" where he should have said "set."
"Sit" is intransitive -- cannot be used with an object.
SAM B. MANES
Plumberville, Ark.
Insult
Sirs:
Discontinue immediately my subscription to your paper.
The enclosed vicious article in your last issue [TIME May 30] is an insult to American womanhood and your paper should not be admitted into any white woman's home.
I have only received a few copies on my subscription. Let me know what I owe for them.
MRS. M. P. BRYAN
Warrior, Ala.
TIME meant no offense. The item in question was a report of a speech which Clarence Darrow delivered to Philadelphia Negroes. --ED.
Advice
Sirs:
Unfortunately your wordy eulogy of the magazine TIME and a copy of the magazine itself appeared together on my desk this morning. I say unfortunately because I read your circular letter first and then opened up to your NATIONAL AFFAIRS section, hoping to see there a brief summary of the more important events of the week, as you say yourself it contains. I learned from it that Mrs. Coolidge likes circuses and graduated from college in '02, and that Governor Smith uses 25% more words expressing his appreciation of the Boy Scouts than does Mr. Coolidge. Not being an aspirant to any Ask Me Another prizes, I discontinued there, and have only to offer you this advice. Don't send sample copies with your circular letters, and do not bother to wax so eloquent about TIME to people who have seen or read it.
J.. H. SMITH
Groton, Mass.
Not 6 Ft.
Sirs:
Accuracy is a jewel. In TIME, May 23, p. 11, col. 2, paragraph second, line 2, you say: "Almost six feet tall" of "Carrie" Nation, Mrs. Nation--her name is "Carry," not "Carrie," as you say. I have her The Use and Need of the Life of Carry A. Nation, written by herself.
Then she was NOT almost six feet tall. Mrs. Nation in 1906 spoke in the Church that I was pastor of in Perry, Okla. I am 5 ft., 9. Mrs. Nation was not as tall as I. I think you were about right in saying she weighed 175 pounds. She was not to exceed 5 ft., 7.
H. H. MILLER
P. S. I am a regular subscriber of TIMK. Once before I corrected you on the location of the residence of Luther Burbank.
Gridley, Calif.
Amanuensis
Sirs:
In TIME, June 6, p. 40, in the footnote of the article entitled "Expeditions," you state that Mr. Beebe transmitted the sound waves of his voice to an "amanuensis" at the sea's surface.
In polite society it is considered vulgar for one to make a display of his wealth or education. In the practical affairs of life, when a man uses an odd or unusual word to convey a meaning that could have been as easily and as quickly conveyed by a more common word, he is held in contempt by his associates. You seem to go to great length to make a display of your vocabulary. You have had a penchant for using unusual words since your publication started, and I had occasion to write to you in a similar vein a few years ago, but "the seed apparently has fallen on barren ground."
I willingly concede that you have a large vocabulary and use good English. I like your publication because it tends to improve my English and increase my vocabulary, but I have no desire to increase it with such words as amanuensis. Sensible men would prefer stenographer or secretary I would not be surprised should an early issue of your publication contain a revision of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, using such unusual words as amanuensis instead of the two-syllable words Lincoln used.
In spite of your faults, I like your publication. I have been a subscriber since an early issue and I intend to continue with my subscription, but I just wanted to tell you that to me your custom of using unusual words is disgusting.
JOHN P. MORAN
Cleveland, Ohio
Stupid Critics
Sirs:
I disagree with those who think you show courage in publishing the letters of criticism and cancellation which come to you. As a matter of fact, most of them are so obviously unintelligent that they answer themselves rather cruelly. Published without comment, they constitute a sort of subtle flattery of your more discriminating readers and become highly suggestive of the desirability, from and advertising standpoint, of your remaining circulation.
Among the most amusing are those which criticize the style in which TIME is written. This style is one of your most unique achievements as it accomplishes the difficult task of condensing without squeezing all the interest out of the matter. It is considered by many competent observers to have reached just about the top notch in good reportorial writing.
Good luck to you, TIME. Run your own paper in your own way. You've made a success, unique, distinctive. Your critics couldn't have done it and they cannot tell you how to do it. Pay no attention to concellations which only purge your lists of those who do not belong to the cognoscente.
ROBERT GARLAND SMITH
Philadelphia, Pa.
Grandniece
Sirs:
I wish to call your attention to a paragraph in TIME, May 16, in which it is stated that "Cody" Allen is a granddaughter of the late Col. Cody. This is an error as Miss Helen Allen is a daughter of a niece of Col. Cody's making her a grandniece. Buffalo Bill's granddaughter is Jane Cody Garlow, the daughter of Irma Cody Garlow.
I am the aunt and guardian of the three Garlow children.
MRS. GENEVA GARLOW WALLIKER
Cody, Wyo.
Famed Trains
Sirs:
I did not go quite as mad as Mark Twain over the "Punch, brothers! Punch with care!" jingle in your story about the Twentieth Century Limited, but I was sorry that you did not mention other famous American trains. Certainly the Broadway Limited of the Pennsylvania R. R. which runs between New York and Chicago in 20 hours, the magnificent trains of the Santa Fe which daily swoop across the deserts, and the many luxurious trains which speed from New York and Chicago to Florida and New Orleans deserved a mention in your story.
ROBERT GOOCH
Chicago, Ill.
TIME recorded the story of the Twentieth Century Limited on the occasion of its Silver (25th) Anniversary run. When other famed U. S. trains make Silver Anniversary runs, TIME will record them. --ED.
Dog
Sirs:
TIME, which long ago scored a great hit with our staff for its unequaled and vivid presentation of news events, has recently increased our appreciation of its alert editorial management by publishing the story of the dog with a bone in its throat which was successfully treated in our free small animal clinic, by our veterinarian, Dr. G. R. Hartman. Getting out the bone in itself was not an exceptional feat, though such operations on animals are rare and difficult, and it is high time that the public should know that veterinary practice of the best kind nowadays frequently reaches quite as high a standard of skill and knowledge as that employed on human beings.
You will doubtless like to know that this case was not one in which "the operation was successful, but the patient died." The dog has just been discharged from the hospital after being here since April 21 and the important thing about the matter was the method of treating the lacerated throat after the bone was extracted. For a time the animal had to be fed through a tube. As the aesophogus healed, there was a stricture or contraction which prevented swallowing and before each meal this had to be opened with the tube, which, removed after 15 minutes, left the passage free. The patient then ate raw chopped beef and milk and egg without difficulty. So well did the dog come to realize her plight and her need of assistance, that when feeding time came and she was let out of her cage, she ran at once to the operating table and jumped up, standing quietly for the insertion of the catheter which would permit her taking food. The tissues are regaining normality but it will be six months before the injury is entirely repaired. . . .
(Miss) CURTIS WAGER-SMITH
Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Philadelphia, Pa.
Look on p. 17.--ED.
Salutes
Sirs:
I salute you for devoting to C. A. Lindbergh a rational and fitting amount of space proper to his great but not overwhelming accomplishment, I salute you for not placing Lindbergh on your cover, and for understanding that his was a triumph of wood, aluminum, steel, oil and gasoline--whereas Gertrude Ederle, for example, swam the Channel aided by nothing but her own arms and legs.* Who doubts that the ordinary German commercial air craft companies could not better Lindbergh's feat with a stock plane? They don't for two reasons: 1) They are too busy with profitable day-by-day passenger carrying to be interested in stunts. 2) They dare not reveal the full air power of Germany while she is still a conquered nation.
Once more, TIME, I salute you! The three columns out of a TIME issue of 40 pages [TIME, May 30] were quite adequate to "Herr Kapten Lindbergh" as his Swedish kinsmen call him. The mob-pride of Americans in this blond youth is fatuous and absurd.
JOHN MULLER
Milwaukee, Wis.
TIME readers will find a picture of Colonel Lindbergh not transiently printed on TIME'S cover but imperishably enshrined in their own hearts.
A comparison of the issue of TIME and the New York Times in which the arrival of Colonel Lindbergh at Paris was described, reveals that, proportionately, 0.2% more space was devoted by TIME to this exploit.--ED.
In Sunday School
Sirs:
After perusing TIME, June 6 -- just a word of thanks for continuing your department devoted to religious affairs instead of eliminating the same as was suggested by some subscriber two or three weeks ago. You will be interested in knowing that
TIME has displaced the in a "Current Religious Events Class" which is being tried out in one of the Lutheran Sunday Schools of the city.
CHARLES G. CARLSON
Aberdeen, S. Dak.
* An error. Miss Ederle was materially aided by a thick coat of grease.--ED.