California Was First

Herewith are excerpts from letters come to the desks of the editors during the past week. They are selected primarily for the information they contain either supplementary to, or corrective of, news previously published in TIME.

California Was First

TIME Los Angeles, Calif.

New York, N.Y. Aug. 9, 1925

Sirs:

Recently TIME (July 27 issue, Page 3) made a statement relative to a decision by the Carter Oil Co. to eliminate the twelve-hour day in the petroleum industry, thus "setting the example" for the industry and following a similar decision of the United States Steel Corporation. It was further stated that the twelve-hour day has always been the working basis in the oil fields.

My pride in Western industry causes me to rise up in indignation to insist that the readers of TIME be properly informed on this point.

Thirteen years ago the Standard Oil Co. (Calif.) completely eliminated the twelve-hour day in all branches of its operation on the Pacific Coast, and almost immediately the same policy became a fact throughout the petroleum industry in California.

When Mr. K.R. Kingsbury, President of the Standard Oil Co. (Calif.), appeared before the Senate Investigation Committee a few years ago, he gave testimony to the effect that, within six months after the inauguration of the eight-hour work day, the general efficiency and ost of operation had been greatly benefited by the change, in spite of the very large increase in labor expense.

R.M. WOOD

P.S. Confirmation of the above may be had by reading the record of the investigation of the oil industry by the Senate a few years ago.

Despective Statements

TIME Carigara, Leyte, P.I.

New York, N.Y. July 2, 1925

Sirs:

I have found out that I cannot continue to be a reader of your magazine.

So please drop me from your list.

In order that you may know what made me desist from reading your newsmagazine, let me tell you that in your issue of May 18, 1925, Page 2, in telling something about the Philippines, my country, you have incurred in inaccuracies. Such despective statements as "The old rebel Aguinaldo" and "the professional politicians such as Quezon, Osmena, Roxas" are not the news a Filipino has to pay for.

EDUARDO MAKABENTA

Surprise

TIME Wellington, N.Z.

New York, N.Y. July 17, 1925

Sirs:

A letter from so far away will probably surprise you, but I am a constant subscriber to TIME and find it useful as a summary of current events. Your writers however should make sure of their facts before publication. In your issue of June 8, Page 6, under the heading COMMONWEALTH, you state that in connection with the 60th birthday of King George there was no official holiday in the Dominions beyond the seas. This is incorrect. In this country, June 3, King's Birthday, is a statutory holiday and is observed as a close holiday by all Government offices, banks and business houses.

J.V. SOLOMON

Good

TIME Philadelphia, Pa.

New York, N.Y., July 31, 1925

Sirs:

I'd like to get a reproduction of your Al Smith cover of July 13. Please advise me.

I'm cheating on you: 7, 8, 20 people are reading and enjoying my issue of TIME. It's good.

F.C. MCLAUGHLIN

A reproduction of the Alfred Smith photograph was mailed gratis to Sub scriber McLaughlin. -- ED.

Penalty for Glory

TIME Cedar Rapids, Iowa

New York, N.Y. Aug. 5, 1925

Sirs:

Before TIME was born a War was fought. How long before is indicated by your little squib in the issue of Aug. 10, retailing the divorce of Mrs. Knopf, nee Ellis.

What is the penalty for glory when a former Army aviator, cited for gallantry in action in all of the five American major offensives, so capable that for particularly important work the present Chief of Staff requested him by name, decorated by our own and other Governments, is mentioned in TIME as "one Louis Bernheimer," the first husband of the ex-wife of a publisher's brother?

For confirmation, have your New York ferret call Curtis Wheeler, Kenneth Littauer, Dudley Hale or ex-Captain Bernheimer D.S.C.

ANNE ROBERTSON BAGBY

Mr. Bernheimer was graduated from Yale in 1917, fought bravely in the World War, was many times decorated. Since the War, he has devoted much time to literature, has written special articles for The New York World and several plays which are as yet unpublished. His present wife is Lillian Kemble Cooper, the actress. -- ED.

Truly Great

TIME St. Louis, Mo.

New York, N.Y. Aug. 15, 1925

Sirs:

You failed to mention recently the passing of a truly great man--one whose death is mourned by a large number of your readers, the members of the Medical Profession.

I refer to the death of Dr. A. J. Ochsner of Chicago, July 25, one of the most eminent surgeons of the United States, a brilliant scholar and an inspiring teacher. Not to know of his position in Medicine shows a grossly deficient knowledge of Medicine.

The death of such a man should be mentioned in TIME.

(DR.) GEORGE H. GARRISON' --

"Dirty Skulking Thieves"

TIME Cleveland, Ohio

New York, N.Y. Aug. 14, 1925

Sirs:

There has been an idea simmering in my mind for some time and now that people are beginning to wake up to the situation I want to add my humble bit.

Why refer to our worst class of criminals in the papers as "bandits"? The psychology of the word has a romantic quality which appeals to the young. Why not refer to them as dirty skulking thieves, as parasites? Parasites would appeal to the pocket nerve of the small borrower, the small saver, if he were brought to realize that the banks have to charge him a higher rate of interest, to pay lower dividends, because of the sum set aside to take care of what will probably be stolen from them by lawless suckers--the so-called "bandits."

Another thing--do you realize that you are the paper of the rising generation? College student after college student drops into our house (I am the mother of a large family) and says when they see TIME: "Isn't it great! I do like their stuff! Saves so much time, but I do have to read it from cover to cover to get it all." Dear TIME, please realize your responsibility and knock hard dirty books, dirty plays and dirty people. This coming generation loves truth and cleverness, but they do need steering away from the distorted and grotesque.

NADINE M.C. MORLEV