Flash Extinguished

Sirs:

In your Jan. 26 issue appeared a photograph of "Mrs. Hoover" and "Secretary Hoover' with a news item to the effect that these characterizations would appear in our forthcoming picture Up for Murder (title may be changed). I wish to inform you that this "flash" never got beyond the projection-room stage at which time it was ordered destroyed by our executives who did not consider it in keeping with the policy of this corporation to use it as a bit of atmosphere. The news item also states that the story was , apparently laid in Washington during the Harding era and that wise Washingtonians might recognize a certain amount of historical realism. The locale of this picture is not the National Capitol (an international ball takes place in another metropolis) and the action of the story is entirely modern. As to the "historical realism" I must profess ignorance. Of course analogies in real life can always be drawn from motion pictures. . . .

CARL LAEMMLE

President

"Universal Pictures Corp. Universal City, Calif.

President Laemmle's "flash" came to TIME from Universal Pictures' Manhattan office. The publicity release mentioned "an international ball at Washington" and "Hoover ... as Secretary of Commerce." The note of "historical realism" seemed so obvious that TIME supposed it intentional.--ED. Old Joe on Annette Sirs: Your word picture of Bermuda--great! One mistake though--Annette Kellerman didn't give any exhibition in Prospero's Cave, at least no swimming or diving exhibition. The place is called "Devil's Hole" by both tourists and natives. A hellish name, if you ask me. Anyway, the "Hole" is populated with a specimen of every fish found in the surrounding waters from turtles to octopi. "Old Joe," the keeper, secretly told me, as he told every other tourist that ever visited the place, "Annette Kellerman had some movin' pitchers tooken as she sat on that 'er ledge throwing bread crums to the fishes, she did!" But she didn't dive or swim--oh no--not into that mess! Authority: "Old Joe." THOMAS D. RICE

Dorchester

Calles Babe

Sirs: TIME, Jan. 26: "Born to Plutarco E. Calles, 52, . . . and Senora Calles (Leonora Llorente), 28, a son. . . . Senor Calles married Senorita Llorente last August." August--September-- October -- November -- December -- January --???? ELIZABETH FRAZIER

Sirs: In TIME, Jan. 26, under Milestones you have an article about the new son just born to Senor and Senora Calles--then the statement that Senor Calles married the present Senora Calles just last August.--How come? Is this a mistake or are things different in Mexico? Please let me know. MARIE G. O'BRIEN

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Sirs:

TIME, Jan. 26, p. 48, Milestones:

"Born. To Plutarco Ellas Calles . . . and Senora Calles (Leonora Llorente) a son. . . . Senor Calles married Senorita Llorente last August."

Qu'est ce quo c'est que cela?

FRANK C. TOMLINSON

Ironton, Ohio

Sirs:

In your issue of Jan. 26, you say that a son was born to Plutarco Elias Calles and Senora Calles and state they were married last August. Is this correct? I am under the impression they were married a year ago last August and would appreciate enlightenment.

LOUISE LIVINGSTON

Paducah, Ky.

(The Calles were married Aug. 2, 1930.--EDJ Sirs:

In TIME, Jan. 26 you report the birth of a son to ex-President Calles and Senora Calles, of Mexico. Also you state that they were married only last August. Which of the two possible explanations of this do you give? Does birth ever take place only five months after conception?

ERNEST MURPHY

Williamsburg, Ky.

(In the U. S., there is no record of a premature child being born under six months and living.--ED.) Sirs:

Question: What type of storks are employed in Mexico?

TIME, Jan. 26, p. 48, caption Milestones, under "Born," states "to Plutarco Calles and his Senora a son. . . . Senor Calles married the Senorita last August."

I am past 21 years of age and can count from August to January on five fingers!

J. J. SHALLOW

Philadelphia, Pa.

Sirs:

To my attention has just been brought your item published on p. 48 of your newsmagazine of Jan. 26, in which you have informed of birth of my tenth son, but first by my actual wife. Because you do not state the pure truth, to effect that my boy was born prematurely it is my opinion you make implications of libel and slander nature. I implore that you make retraction with apology and in event of desire I shall be delighted to send doctor's certificate of truth in above.

P. ELIAS CALLES

Mexico City, Mexico

TIME implied nothing, but to Senor Calles and actual wife, apologies if their feelings were injured. U. S. reports that the babe was born during an earthquake were inaccurate. The birth occurred at 8 :25 a.m. on Jan. 15.--ED.

New Republicans Sirs: Will you please investigate your statement (made once before) that Walter Lippmann was ''Co-founder of The New Republic" (TIME. Jan. 26). Having known Herbert Croly well (he was not mentioned), and being familiar with the steps leading up to the founding of The New; Republic, I believe you are mistaken. If I am, I shall be glad to know it. The late Willard Straight and his wife Dorothy Whitney Straight (now Mrs. Leonard Elmhurst) were the co-founders and provided the necessary financial backing--Mr. Lippmann was asked by Mr. Croly to be one of the editors. . . . LYDIA A. PARRISH

St. Simons Island, Ga.

Editor Bruce Bliven of The New Republic thinks TIME'S phrase "a co-founder of The New Republic" was entirely accurate. It is true that Herbert Croly (with whom TIME'S story was not concerned) and the Straights conceived the idea of The New Republic and the former asked Walter Lippmann to become an editor. But long before the magazine's first number appeared Mr. Lippmann was a member of the group, was active in shaping the paper's policies.--ED. Judge Payne's Farm Sirs:

In your issue of Jan. 19 you quoted Senator Caraway with reference to Judge John Barton Payne's farm at Warrenton, Ya., as follows:

''He spends more to maintain a pleasure resort than he is willing to accord 100 destitute families."

This is a good producing farm, bought at a reasonable price, has no buildings on it other than the necessary barns and tenant house. It is handled by Judge Payne in a farmer-like manner. He dons his working clothes and spends one day a week giving it his personal supervision. If anyone thinks it is a pleasure resort let him follow Judge Payne that one day.

C. E. TlFFANY

Warrenton, Va.

Tombstone Papers

Sirs:

... I found in TIME of Jan. 26 unusual interest in the statement (p. 18) that the Nassau Guardian is "one of the world's few newspapers to be composed |sic| on inverted tombstones from old graveyards." . . .

I imagine there is a gross inaccuracy in your estimate of the newspapers that are imposed upon inverted gravestones. I have seen hundreds of these memorial slabs turned to practical use in country printshops of America, and because they made excellent and durable imposing stones. I infer they must still remain in almost equal numbers. . . .

Because I have been interested in collecting the folklore of American printing and printers I should be glad if anyone can accurately trace this custom of turning tombstones face down to the use of irreverent printers.

JAMES H. THOMPSON

Bristol Center, N. Y.

Let tracers report.--ED. Nightmare in Genoa Sirs:

Having an idle moment I glanced at the correspondence in a copy of TIME. Distance lends enchantment, but in any case I found your replies brief and piercingly to the point. But I was struck by the difference between the system of thrust and parry, illustrated by your pages devoted to the letters of clients, and that of any normal argument.

Then I retired, having had a Ford roadster in and out of hand over a damned bad road between Nice and this place which lays a leading claim for Columbus' nativity.

Oddly enough I dreamt in the night, and a singular dream it was too. For I was married, hut to an old hag who was burning my humidor and thwarting all pleas for justice in the matter. Then suddenly in the dream she died having uttered the last word and sealed my mouth to an humble and eternal silence.

As I stood wondering how I really felt about my deceased spouse, there was a golden coffin before me. Out of it rose a desk and a typewriter and behind it was the form of the deceased, cutting and bisecting thousands of notes and letters, occasionally setting one aside, pausing and jotting down a brief paragraph or two. After each of these strange interludes she would pick up a knife, sharpen it a bit on her old boot and then stab an imaginary figure at her side, resuming her work with a mumble: "Another last word." . . . G. C. MERRILL

Genoa, Italy

Wisconsin He Would Thrill Sirs:

I want to thank you

For your item terse and rude,

Describing so succinctly

Our senatorial dude.

If only I had skill, sir Just to draw as you can write, Wisconsin I would thrill, sir, With a sketch in black and white.

Of little Master Robert With his wavy raven mane, In his cutaway and spats. And his topper and his cane.

His cohorts in the sticks, sir, Little dream he acts like that, It would put him in a fix, sir, To be dubbed aristocrat.

And now, while I am at it, Let me say of old Jack Blaine, You surely hit the bull's eye With that "booming and inane."

M. R. JEFFINS

Rhinelander, Wis.

God Have Mercy!

Sirs:

It was quite a coincidence the publication of your last TIME'S number with Machado's picture in the front page (TIME, Jan. 19) and my letter to your subscription department with special Card subscription to your valuable magazine.

I must congratulate you and the writer of such information regarding Cuban matters for its exact veracity and its splendid mode of telling the things we are undergoing.

To make our situation worse and most unbearable, there comes from "Cuba's Mussolini" this new Tax Law that levies every conceivable product, rent and income with an absurd percentage. If such law is finally enacted (was passed by the Cuban Senate tn three hours' time without study or discussion), it shall mean our FINISH for good. God have mercy on us and may be lenient with Machado when his last moment comes!

CHRISTINO F. COWAN Havana, Cuba The law to which Subscriber Cowan objects went into effect last week.--ED.

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