Strange Career

Sirs:

May a reader ask his omniscient source of information the following?

1) Has The Strange Career of Mr. Hoover Under Two Flags by John Hamill been suppressed?

2) Did Mr. Hoover, or agents, "buy up'' the published edition as far as possible?

3) Was the innuendo of Mr. Justice Joyce in the case between Chang and The Chinese etc. Co., Ltd. directed at Mr. Hoover as is intimated in the book above mentioned?

4) Has the book been reviewed by TIME?

E. M. BLYTHE JR.

University, Va.

1) No. 2) No. 3) Mr. Hoover was not a defendant in the case of Chang Yen-mao v. Moreing and others (London, 1905). As Moreing's agent, he had signed disputed agreements covering the transfer of Chinese mines to an English syndicate. According to Justice Joyce, Agent Hoover "went so far as to use various threats" to Chang and "took possession of some of the title deeds of the property by main force." Justice Joyce's innuendo: "It has not been shown to me that his Excellency Chang has been guilty of any breach of faith or of any impropriety at all, which is more than I can say for some of the other parties concerned." In the Strange Career this quotation, like everything else, is spitefully twisted around to discredit Mr. Hoover whereas Justice Joyce was apparently referring to the actual defendants in the case. The book is so thoroughly malicious that truth is eclipsed by the meanest kind of insinuation. 4) Yes, TIME, Dec. 28.--ED. 15,720,624 Trees

Sirs;

One of the most important of the activities of the Washington Bicentennial Commission, the one that will probably be at least the most enduring in its results, was not even mentioned in your article. This is the sponsoring of tree planting in honor of Washington, originally publicized as "Ten Million Monuments to a Great Man."

As a matter of fact, so enthusiastically has the idea been adopted throughout the land, that already, before the Bicentennial Celebration has gotten under way, 15,720,624 "Washington" trees have been registered with The American Tree Association, and a special marker is being offered by nurserymen to distinguish these from "ordinary" trees.

B. H. KLEINMAIER

Columbus, Ohio

Washington Tree markers come in two sizes: a copper plaque, 2" x 2". nailed to small trees by nurserymen before planting; a zinc alloy tablet, 5" x 6", fastened. to larger trees or mounted on a standard to be placed at the side of the tree after planting. For zinc tablets, individual nameplates are available to bear the names and other commemorative details of patriotic planters.--ED. Ewe Lamb

Sirs:

Somewhere in the Holy Writ an account is given of a man who had one little ewe lamb and some miserable scoundrel came and snatched it away from him. The fair city of Augusta had one little ewe lamb and TIME has come and snatched it away from her. The lamb was Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler, who has visited the Bon Air for the past 20 years every spring, who is an honorary member of our Bar Association, who preaches to us every time he comes here, who is our chiefest drawing card and of social and educational value to us and yet on p. 27 of TIME Feb. 15, Dr. Butler's annual Southern visit is accorded to Brunswick, Ga., instead of Augusta. Dr. Butler never was at Brunswick. He doesn't know that there is any such place on the map. Why, may I ask, was this courageous injustice done a local community by a great national paper like TIME?

HENRY C. HAMMOND

Augusta, Ga.

It being March, and the Butlerian cycles being immutable, the ewe lamb is confidently expected to arrive in Augusta this week.--ED.

Peace & Comfort

Sirs:

... In the interests of your reputation which you doubtless strive zealously to maintain, I would call your attention to an unfortunate omission in your list of important exports from China. . . . China has always been practically the sole source of supply for Rattan-Reeds, used in the manufacture of Baby Carriages, Reed Furniture, Baskets, etc., at least the first of which I am sure you will agree is of vital importance to the peace and comfort of the rising generation. I believe, therefore, that any list of important commodity exports from China is quite incomplete without mention of Rattan-Reeds.

In justice to China, in justice to your readers, and in justice to yourselves, I trust that you will pass this information to your subscribers.

D. B. R. LEVIN SON

New York City

Aghast at Ripples

Sirs: Frankly, I am aghast at the ripples caused by my brief, pediculously composed note re the effect of a TIME broadcast on 7-year-old Stephen Sarasohn (TIME, Feb. i). A life insurance agent who too reads TIME has presumed upon the mutual weakness to haunt my busy days with an Investment Trust Policy for the benefit of Steve. Somewhere in New England is a Maurice Sarasohn who wonders in an interesting communication--whether we are separate limbs of the same family tree. At least a score of Detroiters have commented on that letter of mine. . . . Now comes Mrs. Willard Sporleder of Calumet City, Ill. in your issue of the 13th with what smacks of being a nasty crack in ''. . . to there are programs on the air catering to physical and mental 7-year-olds." For myself -- I am a publicist, aged 38-- should check at least 12. For Stephen, aged 7 -- he has already denied Santa Claus, read Alice in Wonderland and Huckleberry Finn, and plays a fairly good game of bridge (contract, if you please). He, like Mrs. Sporleder's sons, 8 & 10, leads his grade in school.

I am sorry that Mrs. Sporleder takes me so seriously. For neither Steve, his mother nor I would miss a TIME broadcast for worlds. The note to you was merely because of the "blind spot" in Steve's vocabulary when it came to "boycott" and what his imagination made of it... JOSHUA S. SARASOHN

Detroit, Mich.

Father Sarasohn reported that, after hearing a "March of Time," Son Stephen had a nightmare in which the local laundryman chased him down the street with China's most terrible weapon--the BOY- COTT.--ED.

Poet in Residence

Sirs: In your issue of Jan. 18, I notice you refer to Mr. Robert Frost as ''Poet in Residence" at the University of Michigan 1921-23. You may be interested to know that since 1926 Mr. Frost has been Poet in Residence at Amherst College although his title is Professor of English on permanent appointment. He conducts no classes, but meets the students informally. FREDERICK S. ALLIS

Alumni Council of Amherst College Amherst, Mass.

Perfumed Anesthetics

Sirs:

... As regards perfumed anesthetics (TIME, Feb. 22), the effects might not be as anticipated. Any scent, agreeable or otherwise, associated with an operation, would very likely be revolting if not nauseating, and the recovered patient very likely would abhor that odor for the remainder of his life. An anesthetic with no odor at all would probably be more agreeable.

Many perfumes, especially the heavy or oriental scents, are in themselves mildly anesthetic. They paralyze the olfactory nerves of the user so that she becomes indiscreet in the quantity that she uses, else she cannot perceive any scent at all: while those, unaccustomed to it, forced to endure her propinquity, experience far from pleasant effects, even to the extent of losing all relish for dinner. A hint that might be taken up by those desiring to reduce: a good strong whiff of certain scents will still pangs of hunger.

C. CARLETON SEMPLE

American Institute of Mining & Metallurgical Engineering.

New York City

Cass County & Mellon

Sirs: Capt. Charles P. Smith's (Candidate for Congressman-at-large, Henderson, Texas) cordial invitation to you to take toll of your intestinal fortitude and decide whether or not you could withstand a visit to Impeacher Patman's district is untimely. Lacking or not lacking in intestinal fortitude, I am not lacking in my knowledge of Cass County. TIME'S statement is correct. There are hillbillies in Cass County. Lovable ones, however, and politicians. Rabbits have been cornered in hollow logs in Patman's district. And snuff (between lower lip and teeth, perhaps Levi Garett's, perhaps someones else) is not uncommon. Some of we wage earning Texans view Ambassador Mellon's "Big Business War Et al," not with alarm but with interest. Politically ambitious Texans tread lightly on the subject until after the vote is counted. For, Mr. Mellon is, in part, responsible for the payment of more wages, more taxes and more commissions in Texas than any other three men in Congress. [Reference to Gulf Oil Corp.--ED.] Speak not for all of Texas, ambitious Captain, else choose less debatable topics of pride! Be not too maligning, dejected Captain, else a Gulf of Friends appear between you and your goal, or perhaps a grateful Gypsy.

J. M. McCoNNELL Skellytown, Texas

Invidious Practice

Sirs:

Can I interest TIME in starting a crusade against the invidious practice of agents using the telephone for advertising purposes?

Such solicitations call the housewife from her many duties at the most inopportune times, and are especially annoying when there are small children in the household to be cared for.

Will TIME be the voice of the inarticulate housewives who resent this daily annoyance, but have no means of redress?

JEAN AVERY

Scarsdale, X. Y.

For reasons not far to seek, TIME prefers that all advertising be printed.--ED. Bucharest's Brownie Sirs: The article entitled "Rumania--Last Survivor" in your issue of Jan 18 is altogether accurate as far as it goes, and to the small group of Americans in this somewhat remote capital it is not unflattering that TIME should devote so much space to our Y. M. C. A. Secretary. We hope that "Brownie," as he is known to all foreigners and most natives in this city, will not be withdrawn. His knowledge of the language, of local conditions, and mores, his devotion to his work, the quiet but effective manner in which he goes about it, and above all his splendid personality, have endeared him to all who come in contact with him or with the organizations of which he is the heart, soul and "whole works." The U. S. has its share of diplomats, businessmen et al. in Rumania, but as a personal friend of many in the first group and myself a member of the second, I do not hesitate to assert that our best ambassador of goodwill in this country is Brownie. It would indeed be most unfortunate if the means could not be found to permit him to carry on the work he has so ably initiated. J. J. PARSONS

Bucharest, Rumania

Because the Y. M. C. A. lacked funds, Rumania's James Walker ("Brownie") Brown was ordered to return to the U. S. Well aware of his worth, the International Committee of the Y. M. C. A. met in Manhattan this week to discuss means of keeping him in Bucharest. Not only did Secretary Brown mollify the feelings of proud Rumanians toward missionaries from the U. S., he also overcame the opposition of the Orthodox Church and organ-ized the Bucharest Badminton Club. "Oh," cried former Queen Elisabeth of Greece, "he simply musn't go. We can't get along without our Badminton Club." --ED.

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