Cork, not Boston

Sirs:

A friend in Colorado has just sent me a clipping from your excellent magazine of June 10, in which you quote me as asserting I had been jailed in Boston. I never said such a thing because the only place I ever was in jail was Cork, Ireland, where I was erroneously accused of having planned the battle of Kenmare, in which two tree Maters lost their lives.

I feel particularly sensitive about your casting such aspersions against Boston, as that was the only town in America where a speech of mine was quoted correctly. I had no idea, when I consented to give an interview in Walt Whitman's house in Camden (to help raise funds to make it fireproof) that I would be letting myself in for so much unfortunate publicity. No sooner did I reach New York than someone showed me a clipping from the New York World saying that I "mourned for America" (which is just the opposite of my true feelings--I have the most tremendous pride and hopefulness for America) and that I was jailed in Boston. A little while later I received an angry letter from my aunt, la Comtesse de Gabriac, saying that the Paris Herald had also reported me to be a jailbird. Simultaneously came various letters from California kidding me unmercifully about the same story carried by papers out there. The clipping from TIME was the fatal straw, and realizing that TIME will reach as nation-wide a public as all these other papers combined, I rely upon your courtesy to correct this mistake, and relieve Boston from calumny.

It is true that I am working my way around the world, partly for a novel I am writing, to be called Sea Change, and partly for the experience itself. . . .

CHESTER A. ARTHUR, JR.*

New York City.

Boston's Buildings

Sirs:

In your issue of July 15 you give a list of the United States cities which have buildings of 21 or more stories. In this list you state that Boston has 65, the same as Chicago. Boston has only two--the Custom House Tower, 495 feet, and the United Shoe Machinery Building in process of erection, 27 stories. A third one is projected comprising 22 stories. There is one of 15 stories and two or three of 14 and a large number from ten to twelve.

For years the maximum height for buildings in Boston was 125 feet above the street. Three years ago this was changed to 155 feet, and today we have a most unique law which does not restrict the height of a building provided its cubical contents do not exceed the area of the lot times 155. This represents the height of human ingenuity in determining how to solve traffic and light problems.

CHARLES N. FITTS

Boston, Mass.

Aluminum Street Cars

Sirs:

Your issue of July 15 contains an error on page 13. Pittsburgh is not the first city operating an aluminum street car. Cleveland had its first aluminum street car nearly two years ago. Come to Cleveland if you wish to see the best in street cars, and the car riders pay for them under the Taylor-Tom Johnson franchise.

WILLIAM F. KEES

Cleveland, Ohio.

Hobo Argot

Sirs:

Evidently Max Feckler (TIME, July 15) is a little confused in his own argot or lingo. First, he refers to the trainride-stealing American bum, and then refers to him as a hobo. There is no connection whatsoever between a bum and a hobo.

For 'historical purposes' am submitting the following, as a few random words, picked up in over 20,000 miles of ridin' the rods (1915-17). (Could also write a book about the front line 'pleasure and excitement' but no doubt M. F. would think it the bunk). . . .

Riding the tool box--Riding in the tool box beneath a passenger coach.

Riding the cupola--Riding atop the observation tower on the caboose.

Riding the splash--Riding inside the water compartment of the tender (with head extended above the water).

Riding the pilot--Crawling beneath the pilot (cowcatcher) of an engine while over a pit, and remaining there until the engine is again stopped over a pit to pull the ashes from the fire box.

Rattler--Freight train.

Cannon-ball--Passenger or mail train.

Lump--Sandwiches wrapped up and handed out the back door.

Lump bum--Bum who begs all his food from housewives.

Bindel stiff--A hobo that carries his pack of blankets etc.

P:& A pocket--Large side pocket in the coat that opens into and runs the full width of the coat.

Toppin's--Cake, doughnuts etc. after a meal (dessert).

Shiv--Razor.

Blind--Vestibule of the first baggage car immediately following the tender.

Coal shaver--Hobo that sits atop the coal pile on the tender and shoves the coal down with his foot, for the benefit of the fireman, and gets his ride in return.

Freight rustler--Hobo who helps load and unload freight along the line (of the train he is riding) in return for the ride.

Sailors' strawberries--Prunes.

Pearl diver--Dishwasher.

Knowledge box--Schoolhouse.

Town. Clown--City or Village marshall or constable.

John Law--A police officer.

Dick--Detective or special agent.

Benny--Overcoat.

Shack--Brakeman.

Con or Conny--Train conductor.

Jungle--A gathering place in the woods, or near a railroad crossing, where the knights-of-the-road wash their clothes, bathe, and cook their meals.

Punk--Bread (also designates a very young hobo).

... As for the automobile eliminating the hobo, impossible. The automobile will never equal the thrill of hanging on the rods by your heels and listening to the bark of a pistol, in the hand of a brave railroad 'dick', as he tries to bump off a harmless hobo.

E. C. PETERSON

Omaha, Neb.

Toms

Sirs:

I am an Alabamian, and as one I desire to thank you for the space given on p. 39, July 1 issue, to Senator Tom Heflin. Whatever his faults he has one virtue that many men might emulate to advantage, and that is absolute faith in the predominating goodness in his son and namesake. Also he has faith in the prayers of the boy's mother, that sooner or later he will realize the error of his ways and "step out" and live the great life that God created him for. Here's a warm hand clasp for Senator Tom, and a fervent prayer for young Tom. Don't disappoint your Dad, Tom.

A BOY'S MOTHER

Atlanta, Ga.

Great Sire's Get

Sirs:

Good for Col. Theodore Roosevelt Jr.; from what you published of his poem I think it ought to merit reprinting in full.

As an amateur cattle breeder I suspect Col. Roosevelt Jr. should be treated with more respect by his fellow countrymen. Anyone who can hold his head up under the load inherited thru being sired by that great American, Theodore Roosevelt, has acquired no small merit in his own right.

Cattle breeders put great value on the get of great sires. . . .

THEODORE STERLING

Bucks County, Pa.

Melville on Judd

Sirs:

Having not long ago read Herman Melville's romance Typee, which concludes with an appendix describing conditions in the Hawaiian Islands at the time of the first Judd and Captain Paulet, I was very much surprised to find your account of those affairs quite different.

Melville, for instance, states that Paulet "received the unqualified approbation of his own government" instead of the "repudiation" you award him. Furthermore, Dr. Judd is described as a "sanctimonious apothecary-adventurer," which at least is a good phrase, and gives a much more pungent portrait of the missionary than does TIME, even tho it may not be as generous.

However the two accounts are so contradictory that I am writing in the hope that you can give me more detailed information, or tell me where to get it. Melville and TIME both impress me as seekers after the truth, and it is only the inaccessibility of the former which causes me to question your version. Other things equal I should give TIME credit for the most accurate reporting.

The story I have reference to is on p. 174 of the Romance of Herman Melville published in 1928 by the Pickwick Publishers, Inc., of New York.

I will greatly appreciate the mention of any books which might clarify this affair.

L. MALCOLM WETZEL

Detroit, Mich.

TIME'S authorities for stating Captain Paulet was repudiated by Britain: Under Hawaiian Skies, by Albert P. Taylor; Encyclopaedia Britannica.--ED.

Map v. Baedeker

Sirs:

Your map of Hawaii is splendid. If I ever take the trip, I'll take the map along and leave the ponderous Baedeker at home.

GEORGE C. D. FRIDRIK

McGill, Nev.

Let Hawaiian trippers not look for a Baedeker to the Islands, to take or leave at home. There is no Baedeker on Hawaii, nor other guide book, only pamphlets.--ED.

Tariff Bill Flayed

Sirs:

Is it not strange and unfortunate that the THREE CROWNING ENDEAVORS OF MANKIND, Education, Medicine and Research, must pay the highest tariffs to 'carry on'? In the tariff recently passe.d by the House, and seemingly endorsed by the Senate, but to be considered in August, the duties are as follows: (All listed in H. R. 2667, 1929)

Surgical Instruments. ..Duty 70% (para. 359 )

Dental Instruments. . . " 60% ( " 359 )

Opthalmological testing and measuring instruments (Used by Oculists), and Haemocyto-meters (for measuring and counting blood cells) Duty 60% (para. 228a)

Microscopes " 45% ( " 228b)

Optical Glass " 50% ( " 227 )

Psychological apparatus " 40% ( " 360 )

Why must the U. S. tax to the highest degree the very things necessary for the upbuilding of this nation, things we consider the highest expression of civilization?

F. A. VARRELMAN

American University, Washington, D. C.

Princeton's Proctors

Sirs:

In your article of July 8 on the fallen statue of the "Christian Student" at Princeton University, you referred to the University Proctors as "Mike" Hogarty & Company. As one who has had a "run-in" with the Proctors while at Princeton, I wish to correct you. It should be Frank Hogarty & Company. Other Proctors are: "Mike" Kopliner and Harry Cawley.

ERNEST W. MERSON

Bridgeport, Conn.

Tycoonaphobe

Sirs:

Damn! The other night Newspaperman James Hoeck, until recently of Shanghai, Canton, Peking; Richard Kerley, until recently of Memphis, and F. von Falkenberg, until recently of Palm Beach, Pensacola, Tallahassee--all sitting in the back room of a heimgemacht establishment joyfully guzzling brew, discussing Einstein, Nietzsche, Women, Words, TIME.

Says Hoeck: "Brilliantly edited. Almost too much so."

Says Kerley: "Excellently."

Says von Falkenberg: "Improving each week. In fact there has been less use of that 'tycoon,' for I, like the wondrous monk of Siberia got weary and weary and wearier of it."

Then, in today's TIME, regretfully putting it aside temporarily because of press time, to find the word resurrected! Damn!

I shall not subscribe. It gives me a feeling of pleasure to wend my way to this newsstand or that and purchase it weekly. Might save a few cents by subscribing, but it's more fun to buy it hebdomadically. . . .

FRIEDRICH VON FALKENBERG

Cincinnati, Ohio.

* Son of the 21st U. S. President.