Papist

Sirs:

May I call your attention to an epithet "papists'" that one finds only on the lips and in the writings of bigots. We Catholics resent the characterization. I am sure you do not mean to be offensive but you will submit a little more care should be exercised.

JOHN J. DUNN, V. G. Bishop of New York Vicar General's Office New York City

Webster's New International permits "papist" as the shortest synonym for Roman Catholic. Nevertheless, the word has so often been used in bitterness that TIME will no longer use it, except when quoting persons who say "papist."--ED.

Wilbur Defended

Sirs:

In your Feb. 11 issue of TIME, you had considerable to say about Dr. Ray Lyman Wilbur, as a possible appointee to the position of Secretary of the Interior in Mr. Hoover's Cabinet. . . .

If President-elect Hoover selects Dr. Wilbur as Secretary of the Interior, he will bring to that Department a man of broad experience and tremendous capacity for constructive work. No one knows better than Mr. Hoover that he could not make a "yes-man" out of Dr. Wilbur, which would be the last thing Mr. Hoover would want to do. . . .

Dr. Wilbur has been President of the American Medical Association, a Trustee of the Rockefeller Foundation, and a member of the Pan-American Commission. "Yes-men" are not chosen for such honors. When he became President of Stanford University he made many radical changes there and formulated policies which were opposed by a large majority of the Alumni, but in spite of this opposition, he did not swerve from the lines he had chosen, and after 15 years, has convinced most of the Alumni of that University that his plans were sound, while at the same time winning for himself a place as one of the foremost educators in the country. University Presidents, who are "yes-men," rarely fight large numbers of influential Alumni.

STRABO V. CLAGGETT Boston, Mass.

Sirs:

Anyone who knows Ray Wilbur and his work must resent as I resent this "Yes man" [TIME, Feb. 11] implication. I am sure that time will reveal and TIME will publish news of Ray Lyman Wilbur which will prove the injustice of this imputation. . . .

DANIEL CROSBY, M.D. Oakland, Calif.

Yes, time and TIME will tell.--ED.

Spy Lawrence

Sirs:

In the current issue of TIME, Feb. 11, you refer to the return to England of Col. T. E. Lawrence, and you refer to that gentleman himself as "Great Britain's most celebrated spy." I should like to know what excuse you have for calling him "spy," or what proof have you that he is one?

If your explanation is satisfactory, I shall subscribe to your magazine!

ETHEL C. ELKINS Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, Pa.

Let Prospective Subscriber Elkins state what she would consider proof of Colonel Lawrence's spyhood. Presumably she does not expect TIME to wring from the British Government the admission that the Empire employs a spy or spies. The Government of Afghanistan has made official, diplo matic protest against Colonel Lawrence's spying. The exploits which Lawrence describes in his best-seller Revolt in the Desert brand him as a spy ten times over, if one accepts the definition of a spy set forth in Article XXIX of the Hague Convention. -- ED.

Lawrence Stories

Sirs: With Lawrence of Arabia again in the news you might be interested in two stories concerning him. . . . I had them from an English cousin, not given to gossip. His knowledge was first hand.

Lawrence was not popular with the officers of the Air Force which he joined to "escape" publicity. As may be imagined, he made it extremely difficult for them and in time he was unceremoniously thrown out and much to his displeasure transferred to the Tank Corps. How he got back into the Air Force has always been something of a mystery--and here is the explanation. While he was attached to the tank outfit, the French war in the Riff was at its height. One day the French military attache appeared at the Foreign Office in London and announced that his government had heard that Lawrence was in Morocco helping the Riffians. According to the attache he had been seen on the spot. The Under Secretary who received the Frenchman laughed heartily and replied that Lawrence was a private in the Tank Corps stationed in Sussex. The attache was unconvinced until the Foreign Office sent for Lawrence and displayed him in the flesh. After the Frenchman had departed, Lawrence flew off the handle and protested bitterly at the inconvenience to which he had been put. He said he was sick of being accused of fomenting every revolt that came along. The Under Secretary was sympathetic, but suggested that Lawrence return immediately to Sussex and forget all about it. He added, however, that if ever he could do the other a favor--within reason--Lawrence should call upon him. "You can," said Lawrence, "get me back in the Air Force." And it was done.

The next story concerns Miss Rebecca West. The novelist had never met Lawrence and as she had a house not far from where he was stationed she sent him an invitation to tea. She received no reply, but about two weeks later Lawrence appeared on his motorcycle. As it happened Miss West was out and the visitor was received by a secretary of some kind. Undeterred by the lady's absence he ensconced himself in the library and for several hours lectured the secretary on his exploits in Arabia. At length he departed as abruptly as he had arrived. A few weeks later he appeared again and this time no one was home but the cook. He followed her into the kitchen and for two hours held forth on his favorite subject. Then he vanished in a cloud of dust. I doubt if Miss Wrest ever renewed her invitation. E. TREVOR HILL New York City

Copies of Einstein

Sirs:

Under the Science Department of your Feb. 18 edition I noticed a statement regarding the fact that copies of Albert Einstein's "Coherent Field Theory" had reached this country. Will you be so kind as to inform me where it would be possible to obtain a copy of this booklet.

E. S. HARDING Boston Square and Compass Club, Boston, Mass.

Copies of Dr. Einstein's Zur Einheitlichen Feldtheorie are obtainable for 25-c- from B. Westermann Co., 13 W. 46 St., New York, N. Y., sellers of foreign scientific books. A copy has been despatched to Mr. Harding with TIME'S compliments.-- ED.

"Karilon," "Enj'yment" Sirs:

In your issue of Feb. 11, in your article on the dedication of the Singing Tower, you say that President Coolidge called the bells by the Americanized version of "karilon." As one who attended the dedication and heard all the speeches, I hasten to tell you that your informant was incorrect. President Coolidge was the only one present who said carillon in the French manner. All those connected with the building of the Tower call it "Karilon," with the accent on the first syllable. . .

Writing of pronunciation, some of us would like to know if "enj'yment" is the preferred pronunciation in New England. President Coolidge's speech was much enjoyed by the enormous crowd present, except for some northern harsh-nesses of his tongue.

(Miss) MARY HUFFAKER Bartow, Fla.

Ears differ in detecting pronunciations, but it may safely be said that "enj'yment" is preferred in rural New England.--ED.

Flowers for Men Sirs:

In your issue of Feb. 11, I noticed you referring to the Prince of Wales wearing a "red" carnation when in evening dress. You called it a "joke" but it merely showed that the Prince "knows his flowers" and you don't. A red carnation is the proper flower for evening wear.

Do you ever wear a flower in your buttonhole? Or do you think a fellow who wears one a sissy? If you do, you are wrong. The man who wants to wear one and does is more of a man than the man who wants to wear one but doesn't.

I can't see why any man wouldn't want to wear a flower!--and any man can who wishes to; that is, any man who is sure of himself. . . . PAUL T. OSTERBY II ("Osterby the Florist") Stamford, Conn.

Howie v. Bartsch

Sirs: May I again intrude by commenting on the communication by Earl M. Bartsch in the Feb. 18 issue of TIME?

There is a vast difference in slowly torturing animals to death and killing them instantaneously. For one who is snow-bound in the mountains of Montana--Earl doesn't seem to get the drift. VIVIAN HOWIE Norristown, Pa.

P. S. Howie, not Horne. My fault as my writing is hard to decipher. Thank you.

"North of 53"

Sirs:

As one of your ardent subscribers, you will appreciate the thrill I got in reading in the Jan. 28 issue of the Dog Derby to be held shortly from The Pas to Flin Flon. . . .

I have been a reader of TIME for the last four years, having made its acquaintance in Boston, Mass., and I can assure you each issue is eagerly awaited "North of 53."

GEORGE H. WAREY Flin Flon, The Pas, Manitoba

The Dog Derby comes March 4-7. TIME will cover it.--ED.

Southern Preachers Flayed

Sirs: As you have probably read, a constitutional amendment has been proposed to keep preachers from holding office in Texas. There is probably the greatest wave of resentment against the preachers ever known in the Bible Belt as Mencken calls it. Woman suffrage has been a contributor to this wave of resentment. Many preachers have been accused of going behind a man and influencing his wife to vote contrary to her husband's wishes. A few more elections like the last one and the church will almost cease to function in the South. . . .

J. E. FITZGERALD. Stephenville, Tex.

Determine, Initiate

Sirs:

You state (on page 47, Feb. 18 issue) "As for rediscount rates, here again it is the province of the twelve Reserve banks (not of the board) to initiate rate changes." About ten years ago an Assistant Attorney General rendered an opinion to the effect that the power of the Federal Reserve Banks to establish discount rates "subject to review and determination of the Federal Reserve Board" gave the Federal Reserve Board authority not only to review but also to determine, and therefore to initiate, a rate change when and if they so desired. J. F. EBERSOLE Office of the Secretary Treasury Department, Washington, D. C.

To the Office of the Secretary all thanks for interpretation of the law. -- ED.

''Camouflaged Dead Body"

Sirs: As a reader of TIME to its most minute paragraph I could not help noticing Earl M. Bartsch's letter "flaying" Vivian Horne.

Vegetarians, especially ethical ones, are criticised by a great many people; they are in the minority and their ethics are beyond the realm of culture of people of Mr. Bartsch's type. He writes, "I know she is a vegetarian." How clever of him! I, too, have a mental picture of Mr. Bartsch; it is that of a big, husky heman, full of vim, vigor and "boloney," sitting down to his manly meal of camouflaged dead body (or perhaps he eats it raw).

LLOYD BLOOM Brooklyn, N. Y.