Monday, Mar. 03, 1930
Premier Duke
Sirs:
Your issue of Feb. 10 contains an article about the Duke of Norfolk which I think calls for some criticism.
I have known the Duke intimately all my life and I am well acquainted with his characteristics.
Although you rely on quotation, your article leaves a distinctly false impression of the Duke in the minds of all readers and resentment, in the minds of all who know the facts. . . .
While it is true that he failed to pass his entrance examinations, his education has not been aimed entirely in that direction, in spite of the fact that he spent several very creditable years at The Oratory (a school, for your edification) and was not entirely schooled by "nurses and tutors," as your article states.
Everyone knows hundreds of normal young men who fail to enter Vale, Harvard or Princeton otherwise manage their lives and their careers successfully without being classed as imbeciles. The Duke's case is no more unusual or worthy of note in a reliable paper.
Far from being diffident, the Duke is making a splendid job of such varied tasks and duties as fall to his lot. He runs his place at Arundel in a manner which makes his invitations greatly sought after and is himself a genial, alert host and a sportsman. Furthermore, he is noted for the keen and intelligent interest he takes in his tenantry in all parts of the country. He is generally regarded as a normally intelligent young man with ample common sense and is liked and respected for his ideals by all acquaintances.
I believe that all impartial observers will join with me in condemning you for a serious breach in printing without investigation or regard for the truth, an article concerning such a well known and widely respected figure and by giving publicity to a scurrilous jest, which would have been in bad taste eight months ago when the news was fresh. Apparently you have been waiting all this time to print it and now finally have found a flimsy excuse in a news item of no general interest.
ANDREW C. MAXWELL New York City
In informing its readers concerning one of the most newsworthy characters of the year, TIME had reason to classify His Grace, not as an imbecile, but as "none-too-bright." For few dukes have attempted Oxford and failed. TIME is grateful for Subscriber Maxwell's able report of the Duke's intelligent interest in his great affairs.--ED.
Macfadden Falsified?
Sirs:
Any man who has been before the public as long as I have does not in the least mind criticism no matter how severe it may be, but I very much dislike falsehoods that are created entirely by the imagination of the writer. As much as you may desire to increase circulation, it seems to me that you would compel your writers to at least be reasonably truthful. There have been a number of false statements but I will merely call your attention to a few of them. You publish a picture of mine containing a caption "Americans do not know how to love,"--I never made such a statement. I believe on one occasion I quoted this statement from a foreign writer and used it for text in an editorial.
In referring to the Clement Wood biography you quote me as saying that I replied to Mr. Yood in answer to a query of his "that you should let your 'instinct' be your guide.'' I never made any such statement nor did Mr. Wood quote any such statement coming from me.
You say that Clement Wood was formerly connected with the Macfadden organization in an editorial position. This is absolutely false. I never saw Clement Wood until a few days before he started to write this biography.
You say in another article in which you seethingly criticise me for publishing something about Helen Wills' romance and refer to me as editor and publisher of the Graphic. I am not the editor or publisher--in fact, I never saw the article to which you refer. I write daily editorials for the Graphic and that is about my only connection with its preparation for the press. There are many other falsehoods just about as extreme as these. In fact, the writer of the articles must be filled with a venomous hatred for Macfadden and everything he stands for and if he should attempt to read the Bible with the same attitude of mind he would probably describe the Saints as fakirs and refer to other divinely inspirational parts of the books as a series of lascivious orgies.
BERNARR MACFADDEN New York City
As to Clement Wood, TIME erred: it was another Macfadden biographer, one Fulton Oursler who was once a Macfadden employe, As to the "instinct" quotation. Publisher Macfadden errs. "Let nature be the guide." is what TIME said Mr. Wood said Mr. Macfadden said which is exactly what Mr. Wood did say.*
As for the rest, TIME cannot take Publisher Macfadden's complaints seriously. So frequently and variously newsworthy have been Macfadden doings and so unique is the Macfadden character that if in all of TIME'S records of Macfadden no greater "falsehoods" can be discovered. Truth (a Macfadden favorite) has at least prevailed. For example if Publisher Macfadden is not its Editor and Publisher, the Graphic is certainly proclaimed as a Macfadden publication and his name appears on the editorial page, big, alone.--ED. Macfadden Praised Sirs: Superior people who scoff at Macfadden campaign to make people respect their bodies give me acute pains. Personally 23 years ago his ideas helped me break an intercollegiate record and that's that. His methods are the only ones which will reach the mob--more power to him.
S. M. UDALE Detroit, Mich.
Long Island Achievement
Sirs:
As a subscriber to TIME I hope to see you comment on the remarkable progressive achievement of our district attorney as shown in the report of his work referred to in the enclosed clipping. You will recall that Mr. Edwards has repeatedly said that he is not opposed to drinking but his whole aim is to keep our roads safe by eliminating the drunken driver who has proved to be genuine menace in this county. . . .
JESSE MERRITT Farmingdale, L. I.
The achievement extolled by Subscriber Merritt was that of District Attorney Elvin Newton Edwards of Nassau County, L. I., N. Y. In an official report he declared that of 210 persons tried before the Grand Jury of his county last year for maintaining public nuisances (in this case speakeasies), 205 pleaded guilty or were convicted. Cost of getting evidence: $50.000. Total of fines imposed: $70,000. Profit to Nassau County from these Prohibition activities: $20,000.--ED.
Axe
Sirs:
The political axe has fallen upon me as City Manager of Sacramento. It has been a great fight with intrenched political forces in this old '49 city and those who wish to manipulate the City administration for selfish gain. The old, old story. . . . The office of City Manager, nor I as Manager, were not campaign issues at any time. Despite the fact, members of the Executive campaign committee of the successful Unity Ticket have received appointments as City Treasurer and City Manager.
Despite the grief and many bitter disappointments attendant, there have been rewards enough to support my confidence in City Manager principles that I am willing to fight valiantly for them whenever the opportunity arises whatever my official status may be.
H. A. KLUEGEL Sacramento, Calif.
Doherty Picture
Sirs:
From what "Morgue" do you dig up the picture of Tycoon Doherty on p. 17, of your Feb. 17 issue?
It might be the Doherty, Cashier of the Banking Firm of Emerson McMillin and Co., at 40 Wall Street, back in 1898, but it is certainly not the Henry L. Doherty of today!
FRANK C. TOMLINSON Ironton, Ohio.
TIME'S picture of white-haired, white-bearded Mr. Doherty, indeed antiquated, was supplied in haste.--ED.
Something Different
Sirs:
How about something different from Paris? You have a different magazine. Why not something different?
As a sample, may I offer something as follows, as a starter? Your readers will like it.
Let's go:
La France: Borah bores her to death.
Francs were selling today at two cocktails to the dollar. Heavy buying was reported.
Fires are rare in France. By manufacturing matches which do not ignite, the Government has greatly reduced this danger.
The French shirt--"A long, long trail a winding." More than a bosom friend . . .
The Naval Conference
There has been the usual amount of come-on in the French press during the past week anent the exact location of the next war.
The French, according to L'Eclio de Paris, prefer that such event be staged in the Mediterranean, and if possible, before the Colonial Exposition. The Journal des Debats agrees with this suggestion, but insists that no parity be given the Italians until the war would have been won by the French.
Article 14 of the Covenant, according to Les Liberte, gives France and Italy the right to settle their disputes in the Mediterranean. It is, however, suggested by Leon Daudet that parity be granted both Italy and France in the ratio o; three to one, so that any deep differences between the two Latin sisters may be settled on such basis; that is, three Italians to one Frenchman at the bottom of the Mediterranean. This because of the difference in the birthrate between the two nations.
The senile-official Temps gives as its opinion that the Philippines should be returned to Palestine in order to prevent the coming onslaught of the Japanese against American Imperialism in the Latin Quarter.
Etc. Etc.
Would you be kind enough to give me a word in response to the above, for which I shall be most appreciative.
J. DAWSON KIERNAN Embassy of the United States of America Paris, France.
Internationale
Sirs:
"TIME brings all things." Would it please bring me the words of the Red Internationale?
SAM MITCHELL University of Oregon Eugene, Ore.
Arise, ye prisoners of starvation! Arise, ye wretched of the earth! For justice thunders condemnation; A better world's in birth. No more tradition's charge shall bind us; Arise, ye slaves no more enthralled! The earth shall rise on new foundations; We have been naught, we shall be all! 'Tis the final conflict, Let each stand in his place; The International Soviet Shall free the human race! This is one translator's version of one verse and chorus of the five-verse hymn.--ED.
Alma Rubens
Sirs:
Alma Rubens, TIME, Feb. 10, p. 71, "made a redebut at a Hollywood night club." It's not lair to Alma. She appeared in a sketch at the monthly offering of the Writers' Club, of Hollywood, of which Rupert Hughes is, or was last year, president. That was her redebut. And the Writers' Club of Hollywood is no more a night club than is the home of the Century Association of New York. Except upon the occasion of its monthly stage entertainments its nights are dull and dreary. Please put our Alma right with your readers. And please say, if you will, that Edward Everett Horton put the sketch on and himself appeared in it just to help Alma come back and that she came back with a bang and to a cheering audience.
KENNETH C. BEATON Hollywood, Calif.
Galli-Curci's $13,000
Sirs:
Reports TIME, Feb. 17: "John McCormack and Amelita Galli-Curci, though still big drawing cards, have lost considerable (box office) ground."
Reports the San Angelo (Texas) Standard-Times: "Galli-Curci was paid $13,000 for her recent NBC radio concert."
This west Texas journalistic standby goes on to explain that the contract for the airing of Galli-Curci's vocal capabilities was signed in the Standard-Times editorial office. . . .
LEON M. SILER Oteen, N. C.
The two statements are not necessarily contradictory.--ED.
Akeley's Widow
Sirs:
On p. 32 of your Feb. 3 issue, you give two paragraphs to a discussion of King Albert's 500,000-acre game preserve in Belgian Congo.
Delia J. Akeley is not a member of the American committee, but its executive secretary is Mrs. Mary L. Jobe Akeley, F. R. G. S., second wife and widow of Carl Akeley, author of Carl Akeley's Africa, a fascinating chronicle. Chapter 19 of this volume contains a full discussion of the origin and location, flora and fauna, of the Pare National Albert. . . .
DODD, MEAD AND Co., INC. New York City
President Buck
Sirs:
In your issue of Dec. 16, 1929, on p. 45, in the article entitled "Back to Melody," the statement is made that Mr. E. C. Mills resigned as President of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, to ally himself with the Radio Music Company.
Mr. Mills was never the President, an officer or director of this Society at any time, since its existence. He was an employe on the Administrative Committee.
I have been the President of this Society for several years, and would be grateful for the correction herein above referred to, in your very fine publication.
GENE BUCK
New York City, N. Y.
Red Glare
Sirs:
In the face of 6,000,000 approving signatures, may I subscribe mine as opposed to the Star Spangled Banner as the national anthem? Should not such a song bear the same relation to the nation that the alma mater song bears to the college? Viewed from this angle, could anyone imagine the inclusion in, say, Fair Harvard, of lines and allusions to a dramatic forward pass or touchdown in the Yale game of 1901? In just this way does the Star Spangled Banner, splendidly patriotic though it be, but manifestly a battle song, commemorate a specific event in a specific war of 70 years ago. Surely the national anthem should deal in a broader, more national way with the ideals, loyalties and beauties of this country . . . "The rockets red glare" has no place in such an anthem.
LYMAN RICHARDS, M. D. Boston, Mass.
U. S. Embassy
Sirs:
From New York westward to Tokyo I have found TIME the server of all important National and International news. If I miss an issue the week seems unfinished. I write to request you bring the subject of American Embassy buildings in foreign lands up for discussion. You know of course, American officials have carried on in makeshift quarters in Tokyo since the 1923 earthquake. Both the British and American governments voted approximately one and half million dollars to rebuild their Embassies. The world-experienced Brit ish got busy--their Embassy is rising--it compliments the Japanese. The American Embassy after seven years seems to be still a dream. Where is the action for which Americans are noted? If we are to believe foreign markets must consume the surplus production of our home factories, you should see the poor accommodations housing the representatives of the American Government in one of the most progressive nations of the Far East--a land where Ford, General Motors. General Electric, Western Electric, Westinghouse and others are angling for markets. I believe this is a timely question to lay before you.
PAUL RUSCH San Francisco, Calif.
*Bernarr MacFadden, A Study in Success, p. 239. I. 31.
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