Dentists v. Editors

Sirs:

In your last issue you made the statement that "there was a time when Mussolini looked like a dentist or a dental student," and you further added that the same deplorable condition was true of King Alexander, who similarly "used to be of insignificant appearance."

The presence of such a rash statement in your otherwise sane periodical is not only a shock to many of us dentists, insignificant as we are, but it is also a distinct surprise. We had thought you more observant. May we suggest that you cast your eye about among the noble members of your own so-called profession of journalism? If you are not struck by the great number of insignificant looking humans, not to mention the morons and absolute idiots that must adorn your offices, then we dentists will haul in our shingles and shuffle off into shameful oblivion.

Your simile concerning Mussolini should have been "as weak-faced as an editor" thus making his rise to fame the more remarkable.

Thanking you again for your most tactful compliment,

We are Two Imbecile Doctors,

T. J. TRAYNOR, D. D. S. D. J. ROACH, D. D. S.

To sore-vexed Dentists Traynor and Roach all credit for an apt retort. The fact is that Benito was an editor--editor of the Socialist weekly, La Lotto, di Classe (The Class War)--when the "insignificant" photo was taken.--ED.

"Poor Devil"

Sirs:

The enclosed open letter which the New York Times published is entirely too long for your columns. But as you commented sarcastically on the high tariff crowd this week, I enclose it. There are two or three sentences which might interest that particular editor who is so expert at "boiling down."

CALEB CABOT

Andover, Mass.

TIME spoke factually, not sarcastically, about "the high tariff crowd."

The open Cabot letter said in part: "Now I, as a poor devil of a consumer, have been looking for some crumb of comfort fallen from the table of the rich protectionists. I make inquiries, but am informed 'there ain't no core.' We should be satisfied to stand out in the cold and snow, look in through the plate glass windows and see the animals fed. For we are merely consumers. And so long as the manufacturers and skilled workers organize and we do not, we can expect no relief at Washington. ..." Consumer Cabot suggested, for example, admitting finished suits duty-free, to bring down the tariff-sustained price of men's clothing.--ED.

Cannon's Size, Cannon's Color

Sirs:

I notice in your issue of Feb. 4, page 34, under the heading "Cannon's Reward," you say: "On Feb. 14 a very determined little Virginian will board the White Star Liner, Calgaric, bound for the Mediterranean for the Holy Land. He will be dressed in the black cloth of the clergy."

As it is my understanding you desire that your paper shall be accurate in its statements, I give you the following facts: The gentleman to whom the above statement refers is 5 feet, 9 3/4 inches tall, weighs 180 pounds, wears a Number 42 coat. He will be dressed, not in black, but in gray, which is his favorite color. [Bishop] JAMES CANNON JR.

Board of Temperance and Social Service, Methodist Episcopal Church, South Washington, D. C. Admires Own Form

Sirs: The quality of "modesty" in your correspondent Alphonse J. Miller who is shocked at the beautiful figure of a "Zig" comes from a mind morally diseased. As soon as I read the letter, I fished up the number (Dec. 17) and studied the figure more closely and with greater pleasure. In fact, I am not ashamed to say that I think so much of the beauty of the perfect human form that I never take a bath without a long and admiring look at my own form in its perfect proportions. Not one part of me. But all of me. I would rather--far rather--look at a Zig-- strange as it may seem, than at the Holy Man on the front cover of your issue of Dec. 24.* . . . Your "Prohibitor Cannon" is by no means a big gun. In a real nation such as France, Germany or Great Britain, he would not even be a popgun. For we are not yet a Nation but just an aggregation of races, culls--as it were. . . . The historic role of all religions, when their power is equal to their holy malice, is that of a Persecutor. When they can no longer use, the faggots and screws they use franchises and senators. I have three special aversions. They are Meddlesome Methodists, edifying editors and righteous realtors. No law shall ever prevent me from eating and drinking when and whatever I please. The old Romans put their amphitheatres to the right uses when they cried Ad leones Christians! . . . These Christians have caused more human wretchedness, misery and bloodshed, than any plague, pestilence or famine. -- -- -- --! /-HENRY J. WEEKS

Laguna Beach, Calif.

Y. M. C. A. Defended

Sirs: In your issue of Feb. 11, there is a letter from J. B. Scott, Beacon, N. Y., under the caption "Not Free," which states, in part, as follows: "The Y. M. C. A. did not practice giving away anything--unless 'beaucoup francs' were pressed on them by the soldiery." It happened that while I was reading this letter, there was on my desk five typewritten folios, embracing 1,250 pages, covering the report of the Inspector General of the A. E. F., on the investigation of the Y. M. C. A. with the American Expeditionary Forces.

This investigation was made between Feb. 28 and June 30, 1919, pursuant to instructions from the Secretary of War which required an estimate of the value of the work of the Y. M. C. A. and the proportion of the welfare work which was accomplished by the Y. M. C. A. Those who were in France during the period of this inquiry will recall that the investigation was thorough, and that there was at least no prejudice in favor of the "Y" on the part of the investigators. In every major command, officers and enlisted men were required to testify and their depositions are a part of the record.

It will doubtless be of interest to J. B. Scott to learn that this report finds that down to March 1919, the Y. M. C. A. made free distribution of canteen supplies to a total of 13,613,027.64 francs, of writing material to the amount of 9,072,493.30 francs, and of free newspapers to the amount of 3,092,944.17 francs, or a total of 25,778,465.11 francs, which at the average rate of exchange for the months given, equals $4,636,414.56. . . .

It is an interesting question in mass-psychology as to why, in the face of these records, the constant criticism of the work of the "Y" persists. I suggest to Mr. Scott that he read the editorial note written by Frederick Palmer in the American Legion Monthly for September 1928, under the title "Were We Fair to the 'Y'?"

From January 1918 to February 1919, I was in charge of the organization of the leave areas for the "Y," where over 400,000 men received a seven-day leave, and in justice to the fine body of over 1,200 American men and women who served in my department, I am compelled to say to Mr. Scott that his statement that "The Y. M. C. A. did not practice giving away anything"' is not the truth.

FRANKLIN S. EDMONDS

Edmonds. Obermayer & Rebmann Philadelphia, Pa.

Worked in Canteen

Sirs:

Although the war has been over ten years, there seem to be some people who are still uninformed as to the functions assigned the Y. M. C. A., as evidenced by J. B. Scott's letter in your issue of Feb. 11.

By order of General Pershing the Y. M. C. A. set up a canteen system for the A. E. F., and its work was commended by the commanding general during the war and afterward, and an exhaustive inquiry conducted by the Army by direction of General Pershing resulted in complete disproval of such innuendos as Mr. Scott's as well as refutation of every accusation made against the association. All the work done by the Y was under general orders, describing the Y as A. E. F. Y. M. C. A.

As one who made a great financial sacrifice and served with the Y overseas for sixteen months, working long hours in a canteen and in executive positions, I know what I am talking about.

FRANK H. JAMISON News Editor Newark Evening News Newark, N. J.

The Hill Praised

Sirs:

Being a master in another Eastern preparatory school, I read with great interest your article on the unique new plan applied to The Hill School for determining the advisability of college for each boy. The Hill School is to be highly commended for devising a new method to control the present American passion for a liberal arts college degree, regardless of fitness.

The conclusion you draw in your article, however, causes me to disagree. In the particular school with which I am connected, the Headmaster has advised the parents of many times twelve boys against planning a liberal arts education for their sons. In several instances boys have been directed toward other fields more practical to their particular types of mind, and of these some few have later become highly successful. So it is not new to schools "to apply a hard yet merciful rule of college-education for the fittest."

GEORGE F. PORTER

Connecticut

Upper Darby, Too

Sirs: After reading your article on The Hill School in Feb. 11 issue I thought you might be interested to know that some public high schools are also doing this pioneer work. Upper Darby High School, Upper Darby, Pa.--a Philadelphia suburban High School--has for a number, of years, under the leadership of its principal, John H. Tyson, had a system of personal history cards, which are similar in purpose and idea to those of the Hill School. They are a four years' cumulative record of all that might help to determine a pupil's fitness for college or a place in the world. HELEN M. FERREE

A Teacher Upper Darby, Pa.

*The cover-picture of TIME, Dec. 24, was His Eminence William Henry Cardinal O'Connell, Archbishop of Boston. /-Abusive oath deleted.