Mississippi Treatment

Sirs: Your usually accurate and impartial publication has swallowed in one gulp a whole cup full of the juice of."sour grapes." Apparently without making any effort whatever to check his story, you have printed a lengthy letter from James Backton of Hollywood, Calif., with regard to his arrest in Mississippi which does bitter injustice to the people of this expanding Southern Slate (TIME, April 19).

Delay in answering Mr. Blackton's letter was occasioned by an investigation of these charges, which was instituted here immediately following TIME'S publication of them.

Mississippi does not require, and has never demanded, any fee or permit for passenger cars entering the State. . . . Mississippi does, however, require a permit for commercial vehicles, the permit varying from $2 to $7, according to size of load and mileage to be traveled.

Affidavits from the arresting officer and witness declare that Mr. Blackton, driving a truck, was stopped by officers as he approached a courthouse at which the permits are supplied, and was notified that such a permit was necessary and requested to obtain same. Without hesitation and in plain view of the officers who had notified him, Mr. Blackton drove his truck past the courthouse and on out of town. The officers followed, arrested him as they should have, and brought him back to be fined. To show further that Mr. Blackton knew well in advance what the requirements were, HE HAD ON HIS PERSON AT THE TIME OF HIS NOTIFICATION AND AT THE TIME OF HIS ARREST A LETTER CONTAINING INFORMATION RELATIVE TO THE PERMIT REQUIREMENTS.

The only thing irregular about the whole procedure was that Mr. Blackton was only fined $1 and costs whereas the law provides a minimum fine of $10 and costs.

Although truck drivers covering several States are usually intelligent enough to inquire about local regulations, we have today ordered large signs erected at points where major highways cross the State line for the future guidance of drivers of commercial vehicles who, like Salesman Blackton, may otherwise wish to plead ignorance.

TIME readers need have no fear of the treatment they will be given in Mississippi. We are building $42,000,000 worth of new highways to make it easier for them to travel in the State, and we are spending $100,000 for advertising, part of it in TIME, to invite them here. We shall appreciate it if you will give this letter the same publicity you gave that of Salesman James Blackton.

HUGH WHITE

Governor

CARL N. CRAIG

State Auditor Executive Department State of Mississippi Jackson, Miss.

Sirs:

In TIME, April 19 and May 10 articles dealing with the collection of fines from the tourist public by the district constables have produced just and severe criticism of the State of Mississippi. We are not protesting the publication of 'these letters. They have served the very good purpose of awakening the public officials to the necessity of stamping out this practice. The matter will unquestionably be given the attention of our Legislature in 1938. Aroused public sentiment has already put a stop to the practice. It is unfortunate that the action of a score or less of selfish individuals should bring general condemnation of an entire State. . . .

J. B. SNIDER Lieutenant Governor

Clarksdale, Miss.

Lieutenant Governor Snider hopes to replace retiring Governor White in 1940. Governor White's letter was forwarded to Salesman Blackton, who replied as follows:

Sirs: I had a nice letter from Lieutenant Governor Snider myself. As to Governor White's letter, I am now really sizzling. . . .

The car I used was a 1932 Chevrolet deluxe panel delivery decorated so that the world may know it belongs to Reginald Denny Industries and that we sell model planes and other hobbies. A car that is a cinch for these buzzards to spot.

I solemnly swear that I had no previous knowledge that a permit was necessary as it was the first time I had been further east than Texas as a commercial traveler. I swear that I did not approach the courthouse and request a permit. I swear that I did not (as sworn to) "in plain view of the officers . . . drive past the courthouse and on out of town." Wouldn't I have been a sucker to do so? The company pays permit fees but I have to pay fines. I DO SWEAR that I was NOT stopped until I was across the bridge completely outside of Bay St.

Louis heading towards Mobile. I DO swear that each and every word of my letter to TIME is the whole truth and nothing .but the truth. If you wish one of those fancy affidavits full of whereases and now therefores subscribed to and before me, etc., I'd be glad to send you one all tied up with a nice pink ribbon. The ------s'* I tell you I just scorch at such outright and deliberate perjury.

I SWEAR I had no letter such as described and I make a plain statement here and now that anyone who says I did is a liar.

In conclusion let me again point out that whereas I was fined $1 and $7.05 costs -- which was split between the officer, justice of the peace and official ''witness"--nobody showed any interest in collecting the $2 entry permit for the State. How about that, Governor White?

JAMES BLACKTON

Reginald Denny Industries, Inc. Hollywood, Calif.

Affront

Sirs:

In your column of religious news in the issue of May 10 you refer to Jehovah as "that occasionally tedious oldster."

This is, of course, blasphemy and is an affront and grief to every devout Jew, Catholic and Protestant, of which there must surely be some among your large circulation.

It would seem that since you yourselves are responsible for this expression that the expression is entirely uncalled for; and, while there may not be any religious background or concern as far as the writer of the column is concerned, he should feel that the religious column is a special interest to religiously minded people, and if he does not want to be constrained by religion, there should be other constraints that would be recognized, as for example at least being gentlemanly. GEORGE W. ARMS

Brooklyn. N. Y.

Sirs: ... A recent breach of decorum ("God on the Air") prompts me to remind you that some of us of the younger generation still believe in the divinity of Jehovah--God (Exodus 6:3) and in the authenticity of the Old as well as the New Testament record of his teachings. TIME'S writer, who asserts "that occasionally tedious oldster, Jehovah of the Old Testament, appears nowhere to greater advantage than in the Book of Job," might well refer to an admonition of our Creator in that Book (Chapter 38, Verse 2). "Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?" ROBERT A. STEINER

Seattle, Wash.

Sirs:

THE WOMAN'S AUXILIARY OF THE VALLEY CONVOCATION OF THE DIOCESE OF VIRGINIA (PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL) PROTESTS STRONGLY AGAINST THE REFERENCE TO JEHOVAH FOUND IN THE RELIGIOUS SECTION OF THE MAY 10 ISSUE OF TIME.

Winchester, Ya.

Sirs:

As an admirer of your excellent paper may I, with great respect, suggest that the irreverent reference to Jehovah is one that is bound to distress many of your valued readers. I am confident you will agree with me that it is desirable to refrain from using language that must deeply pain those who have a strong religious faith.

I am moved to write you as the result of letters I have received from laymen bearing upon this matter, and because of the high esteem in which I hold your paper.

JAMES E. FREEMAN

Bishop of Washington

Washington Cathedral Washington, D. C.

TIME regrets that its anthropomorphic mention of the Old Testament Jehovah offended Bishop Freeman and other readers. But let them recall that Jehovah was jealous (Exodus 20:5), frequently angry (l Kings 11:9), hot of breath (Isaiah 30:33), changeable of mind (Genesis 6: 5-7). It is recorded that he had white hair (Daniel 7:9) lips (Psalm 17:4), eyelids (Psalm 11:4), nostrils (Psalm 18:8), a tongue Isaiah 30:27), fingers (Psalm 8:3).-- ED.

Ohio Withdrawal

Sirs: TIME May 10, erroneously includes Ohio late University in the roster of American colleges which "promptly accepted" the opportunity of representation at Gottingen's 200th anniversary celebration.

Although Ohio State's president, George W. Rightmire, at first indicated his acceptance on April 29, undergraduate resentment compelled him to withdraw it two days later.

Joe Gottesman Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio

Pure Briarhopper

Sirs:

Now you strike close to my heart when you and two of your readers begin to sort of get together on Chillicothe and its Pronunciation of "tiger" [TIME, March 29 et seq.] In this discussion so far, a very important point has been overlooked and that point is that Clyde Beatty is not a Chillicothe product.

It is not with pride that I bring out this fact and thus deprive my hometown of one of its celebrities but it is in the interest of accurate reporting Clyde Beatty was born and spent his early life, nearly all that was spent in Ohio, in the small town of Bainbridge. This village located on the southwestern edge of Ross County some 18 mi. from Chillicothe and with a population of 735 compared with Chillicothe's 18:340)

You should have recognized that the peculiarities of speech quoted by Mrs. Benner are not of Ohio but of Kentucky where the Briarhopper speech is filled with these and more that are far worse like "nat" for "night" and "hit" for "it." All this is Briarhopper, pure and unadulterated. This peculiar dialect is a mixture of the Southern and strangely enough the Cockney of England. The Cockney is very evident when the speech is heard and the inflection can noted. Many Kentuckians have moved over to Ohio to work its rich farmlands and to find employment in its many factories. The Ohio farmers have fallen into its lazy easy way of speaking and strangers, hearing the farmers probably deduce that they are hearing pure Chillicothe.

REX VINCENT

Chicago, Ill.

Map to Librarians

I was pleased to find in the May 10 issue of TIME an art map of New York City together with brief descriptions of several of the well-known museums.

The week of June 21 more than 4,000 librarians from all parts of the country will meet at he Waldorf-Astoria in New York City to attend the 59th Annual Conference of the American Library Association. I believe that many of them will plan to visit some of the museums and galleries which are shown on TIMES map.

We shall probably devote a page or two in the printed program to special points of interest, such as art exhibits, and should like to consider the possibility of reproducing the map, perhaps quoting some of the descriptive comments. May we have your permission to do so? HAROLD H. LASKEY

American Library Association Chicago, Ill.

The American Library Association is free to use TIME'S Manhattan art map in its convention program. -- ED.

Truly International

TIME May 10, is badly in error when it states " the San Francisco Bay Exposition will be a local fair." The President of the U. S. made it an International Exposition by inviting every country in the world with which we have diplomatic relations.

The Golden Gate International Exposition (correct name of the fair) will be a truly international exposition, despite the admitted fact that the International Bureau of Expositions has not accorded it the distinction of being what you term "fair-of-the-year.". . .

What the Bureau does not govern are the travel bureaus, advertising bureaus and travel companies, many of them subsidized, which can and will participate in San Francisco's exposition.

Furthermore, the non-bureau nations, and particularly those of Latin America and the Pacific, will be heavily represented in our "Pageant of --he Pacific." Commercial exhibitors are not barred by the Paris pact.

" Located as it is on the largest man-made island in the world, in the very heart of glorious San Francisco Bay, bounded by the skyline of San Francisco and Oakland, the Golden Gate, the green hills of the Redwood Empire; and in the shadows of the world's two largest bridges, the Golden Gate International Exposition can hardly fail to attract either foreign or domestic exhibitors, and most certainly will not lack for attendance.

To the New York World's Fair of 1939 we cheerfully yield the International Bureau of Expositions' blessings. But we will concede to no one the exclusive use of the terms "International" and "World's Fair." America can well be proud of its two INTERNATIONAL expositions of 1939.

LELAND W. CUTLER

President

Golden Gate International Exposition San Francisco, Calif.

No Defeat

Sirs:

I am an assiduous reader of your magazine and I found always it correct, fair and above all just to every nationalities; I wonder what made you change your policy lately.

Did you really believe that the Italians suffered so many defeats? And you believe that the Italians, after took Bermeo from the armed force of the Reds, were attacked by a handful of fishermen and their wives and threw out of the windows and forced them to jump into the sea [TIME, May 10]? Bah, be more serious and refrain of publish such asinine lies.

Evidently the Reds don't even know how to be good liars; even if those Italians, about five thousands, were children, a few hundred fishermen and women could not have dislodged them from Bermeo; unless the Italians remembered their old song about the Basque girls and jumped into the sea just to please them. Here the translation of such a song.

For a blonde Basque girl

Or a brown Andalusian

I jump into the sea

Or jump into a volcano, etc.

Be more serious before publish such stupidities, it do not honor your intelligence.

The Italians suffered no defeat, even at Guadalajara, there they retreated before greatly superior force and armaments, after lost about half their effectives, to a better position and there they stop the Reds and are still stopped. Neither the Germans destroyed Guernica, it was Bolshevists and British propaganda.

Keep in mind, Sirs that we will see more and more of this kind of propaganda. The Bolshevik know that they must destroy Fascism or Fascism destroy Bolshevism; England never forgive or forgot the humiliation inflicted to her by Italy at the time of Ethiopian War and never swallow the bitter pill of lost the control of the Mediterranean Sea, Hitler talk too often of the return of the German colonies, so John Bull do his best to discredit these two countries, so in case she prepare a war against them, she will have an alibi and blame Hitler and Mussolini to have provoked it. ...

P. Bilotta, Mont.

Scratch Sheets Scooped

Sirs:

. . . TIME, May 10, scoops the bookies, tipsters, touts and scratch-sheets by picking the Derby one, two, three, and cinching it with pictures on the front page! Of course there might have been some question about what time of day to start that "clockwise" business, but I figure a guy could stay in coffee and cakes with nothing but piker bets to "show" as long as TIME was picking them.

T. F. GAFFORD JR.

Oklahoma City, Okla.

* Libel deleted.--ED.

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