Man v. Beasts

Sirs: Can you answer, or if not, would it be sufficiently newsworthy for you to ascertain, by querying naturalists, zoo keepers, animal trainers, pugilists, the following: Would an average-size man, good physical condition, capable of using his fists, have any chance at all of defending himself barehanded against the attack of an average bear, or panther, if not surprised (assuming he could keep sufficiently cool to utilize his punch effectively)?

In other words, if said man were on level, smooth, clear ground, had time to take a good stance, and attempted to meet the charge of a bear, panther, or wolf or large police dog, with a straight-from-the-shoulder punch with the bare fist delivered onto the animal's snout, then: 1) Is it likely the animal could or would dodge his head to avoid the blow? 2) If the blow landed properly what would the probable effect be on the animal both physically and mentally?

THOMAS G. STALEY

Oakland, Calif.

Experts agree that an unarmed man would have no chance against the attack of a bear. A fist blow square on the nose would have no effect at all. The bear would not dodge his head, would instinctively strike back with his paws the moment a motion was made toward him. Even a small bear can claw a man to shreds before a man can overpower him. A blow on the nose of a panther might cause the animal some discomfort but the panther would spring and tear the man to pieces. Panthers, however, seldom attack. A blow on the nose of a wolf or police dog would have little effect, but a man might successfully choke a wolf or police dog.--ED.

Where's Elmer? Sirs: How come that TIME, which usually "brings all things" (and particularly the suggestive and illuminating details that the others pass up) failed to take note of what sounded like one of the Legion's chief convention feats--the coining of a perfectly dumb, and therefore perfectly successful, wisecrack. I refer to the new enrichment to our language, "Where's Elmer?" which, from all I can gather was one of the heavy convention "speeches"--and which I heard until I wearied, wondered why, and tried to fathom, when I sat behind a couple of seatfuls of homecoming conventionites on a train. No one seems to know what it meant or how it started. Perhaps TIME will tell. But every few words, someone'd say "Where's Elmer?" And then loud laughter!

WALTER BARTON

Seattle, Wash.

"Where's Elmer?" had become such a popular inanity by last week that an "Elmer Calling Contest" was held at the Chicago Fair; and nerve-frazzled New Yorkers wrote letters to newspapers about the "malignant growth," the "contagious stupidity" of the greeting. Colyumist Walter Winchell printed a story that "Elmer" was a 300-lb. Brooklyn restaurateur named Elmann Neilsen, good and generous friend of Legionaries who would loudly page him wherever they went. Shrewdly Elmann Neilsen capitalized his fame last week by hanging a sign in his restaurant window: "Here's Elmer." Double-checked Elmer facts are: A division of the "40-&-8" Legion parade in Chicago was to be led by Elmer Taylor, organization officer of the Illinois department. On his way to the starting point Elmer Taylor got caught in a traffic jam. When the parade was ready to start another official charged up & down the street shouting "Where's Elmer?" Marchers and onlookers took up the call, spread it through the line of march that night, through the city next day, through the U. S. that week.--ED.

Pilot's Responsibility Sirs:

I have just finished reading your article (TIME, Oct. 9, Aeronautics), regarding the crackup of a Condor plane. You state that a mechanic failed to unlash the control stick. For your information, the above statement is incorrect, inasmuch as the pilot and co-pilot are responsible for removing the lashing. It is the pilot's responsibility to see that all controls are free before leaving the ground.

. . . The general opinion seems to be that pilots are infallible. Did you ever stop to think that mechanics are responsible for six and seven loads of passengers a day, and not allowed any mistakes?

D. C. DAVIS

Detroit, Mich.

Description Sirs:

I would like you to give recognition in your columns to Mrs. Bess M. Wilson of the Minneapolis Journal for her description of the Secretary of Labor, who recently visited the Twin Cities:

"As direct as a compass, as decisive and brief as a dictionary definition, and as poised, as gracious and friendly as all well-bred women is Frances Perkins, the woman selected by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to represent labor in his official family."

This impressed me as the best I had yet read of the Secretary of Labor.

BLANCHE W. SCALLEN

Department Secretary American Legion Auxiliary Minneapolis, Minn.

March of TIME Sirs:

It was certainly good to hear again the ''March of TIME" last Friday evening. Both you and the sponsor Remington Rand are entitled to the gratitude of all people in U. S. Your program is undoubtedly the best on the air as your magazine is undoubtedly the best of the weeklies. The only criticism I have ever heard concerning the program is "It was ton short" which is about the very best thing that can be said of any radio program.

A. J. TOBIN Principal

Alexander High School Alexander, Ill.

If I were not already the owner of a typewriter of a famous brand, I would buy a Remington, just to show Remington Rand Inc. my appreciation for their sponsorship of the "March of TIME."

By the way, why was Mr. LaGuardia, New York's candidate for No. 3 political job in the U. S., unwise enough to believe he could compete with the "March of TIME" at 8:30 tonight! Though politically minded, I shall tune in on WABC rather than WOR.

DAVID SPRATLING

New York City

Sirs:

This is Friday the 13th but a lucky day for me, for I stepped from my typewriter and turned my radio on just in time to hear the first "March of TIME" for this season.

Just as my typewriter was quiet during tonight's "March of TIME," so it shall be from eight-thirty to nine o'clock every Friday night from now on until you go off the air again.

ARTHUR JOSEPH DEMARS

Washington, D. C.

Sirs:

"How intelligent advertising works" might better be the title of the following:

RESULTS

Five years a reader, lately a subscriber to TIME, I have been an admirer of Remington typewriters. Not until Remington Rand Inc. sponsored "The March of TIME" did I do anything about it.

This letter is written on the latest model desk type "Remington Noiseless."

OWEN E. JENSEN

Captain

U. S. Marine Corps,

Fleet Reserve

P. S. The Remington Rand salesman still thinks he sold me. I didn't disillusion him that TIME had done his work, he collected the commission.

Los Angeles, Calif.

Sirs:

. . . Alas, I am too far removed from America this year to avail myself of the unequalled educational information and entertainment afforded by this program. To the many penalties attached to living in the Far East, I add the unavailability of the "March of TIME."

Were I in America, the spirit indeed would move me to write to Mr. James H. Rand Jr., to express my appreciation of what he is doing for the entertainment of radio listeners. I sincerely hope, however, that he receives liberal quantities of mail from appreciative "March of TIME'' fans. . . .

R. E. FRANCK

Shanghai, China

"Fight Like Hell, St. Mary's"

Sirs:

TIME RARELY WRONG ERRS IN OCT. 23 ISSUE P. 32 SHOULD HAVE SAID ST MARYS PENALIZED BUT ONCE FOR UNNECESSARY ROUGHNESS TOTAL 15 YD. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PENALIZED BUT ONCE FOR SAME REASON TOTAL 15 YD. OPPOSING PLAYERS AND COACHES JONES AND MADIGAN LAUDED HARD CLEAN PLAY AS DID FAR WEST FOOTBALL OBSERVERS AND FANS STOP PENALTY TOTAL ROLLED UP HIGH BECAUSE OF OVER TECHNICAL OFFICIATING CLASSIC EXAMPLE GAEL GUARD GILBERT WENT IN ON DEFENSE AND ONCE ON SCRIMMAGE LINE SAID FIGHT LIKE HELL STMARYS PENALIZED 15 YD. TO 8 YD. STRIPE FOR SUBSTITUTE TALKING STANDOUT OF GAME SPORTSMANSHIP OF BOTH SQUADS AND COACHES

WILL STEVENS

St. Mary's College, Calif.

Marston's Stymie

Sirs: . . . I am writing to call your attention to some of the statements in the article covering the National Amateur Golf Championship which appeared in TIME, Sept. 25.

I have played tournament golf for the past 28 years. My first tournament was at the Deal Golf Club in 1905 and I have also competed in 20 National Amateur Golf Championships All during this long competitive record I have never lore been accused of doing anything unsportsmanlike and as your statement that after I had laid Mr. Jack Munger, my opponent in the semifinals, a stymie, I remarked "That's perfect" is an absolute falsehood, I am going to ask you to retract this statement. . .

I have personally taken a great interest in Mr. Munger since I have known him through my son being at the Hill School, and had the pleasure of Playing a number of rounds with him on various courses before our match in the National Championship and our relations have always been most friendly both off and on the golf course. Mr. Munger is one of the coming youngsters in this country and nothing would given me more pleasure than to have seen him win the Championship at Cincinnati this year.

As far as the stymies in my match with Mr. Munger were concerned, three of the four were half stymies and in each instance it was perfectly possible for Mr. Munger to putt around my ball without jumping....

MAX R. MARSTON

Philadelphia, Pa.

TIME wholeheartedly apologizes for misquoting Golfer Marston. Earwitnesses that it was his opponent Jack Munger who, contemplating the stymie against him, ruefully observed: "Gee, that's perfect." And Vice President John G. Jackson of the U. S. Golf Association testifies that during the match Golfer Marston repeatedly asked him, as referee, to silence the cries of Eskimo Pie vendors lest they upset his opponent.--ED.

Disney & Brickmakers

Sirs:

Is it possible that TIME has innocently allowed propaganda to creep into its editorial columns? I have just seen Walt Disney's Three Little Pigs and, after reading your excellent criticism [ TIME, Sept. 25], I suspect that both you and Mr. Disney are on the payroll of the Common Brick Manufacturers' Association. I have long accused the brickmakers of having inspired the original story to the disadvantage ot the straw board and lumber interests of the country.

RICHARD P. RASEMAN

Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.