Great Bailey

Sirs:

Your Aug. 17 issue speaks of Joseph W. Bailey Jr. as "son of Texas' late great Senator." As Joe Sr. had to resign from the U. S. Senate because of his accepting money and favors from John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil, I fail to see where he achieved any greatness. To me he ranks with Jim & Ma Ferguson as cheap politicians whose memory makes decent Texans blush with shame.

LEE CALHOUX

Kansas City, Mo.

No investigation ever disproved Senator Bailey's contention that he was unaware that Waters-Pierce Oil Co., from which he borrowed $3,300, was still controlled by the Standard Oil Trust. Exonerated, Texas' Bailey returned to the Senate, resigned in 1913, stayed out of politics until 1920 when he ran unsuccessfully for Governor. He died in a Sherman, Tex. courtroom in 1929.--ED.

The Campaign

Sirs:

Why should people blame the Roosevelts for the divorces in their home? . . .

LOUISE M. FlNLEY

Pasadena, Calif.

Sirs:

You state in TIME, Aug. 17, "If there is one person U. S. War Veterans should cordially dislike, it is Franklin D. Roosevelt." You are correct; they hate him. Of the many veterans I personally know, only an infinitesimal percent will vote for Roosevelt. . . .

Onetime National Commander of the American Legion Johnson remarks: "The Bonus is not an issue." That is correct; but the two vetoes of the Bonus are an issue.

GEROLD C. WICHMAXX

Denver, Colo.

Sirs:

Now after the Mormon Church whispered its support in John Hamilton's ear [TIME, Aug. 17 1, I assume we will soon hear the Republican slogan: "Two wives in every kitchenette."

WOLFRAM HILL

St. Paul, Minn.

Sirs:

Has not John D. M. Hamilton broken a record of some sort in having his picture took while admiring himself in a mirror (TIME, June 29) ?

My own likeness was so taken when I was 12 years old, but there was the excuse of a head of tresses long and thick, which a fond parent wished to memorialize for the reason that they were rapidly falling out. Possibly Mr. Hamilton wishes similarly to preserve to posterity both sides of the smile destined to come off in November. (MRS.) M. R. BOUFFIOUX

Molalla, Ore.

Sirs:

. . . President Roosevelt is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to rake leaves in green pastures: he dameth up for me the still waters.

He restoreth my purse: he guideth me in my boondoggling all for my own sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of depression, I will fear no evil: for F. D. R. art with me; thy PWA and thy WPA they comfort me.

Thou preparest pork barrel before me in the presence of the Republicans: thou hast annointed my old age with Social Security; my tax bill runneth over.

Surely interest and deficits shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the House of Roosevelt forever.

J. EDWIN HANSON

Independence, Mo.

Sirs:

As a keen observer of politics for 40 years and as an owner of a drug business for 21 years, I am convinced that the only solution of our economic problems and the present profit system, as well as the saving of our Democratic form of Government, lies in the direction President Franklin D. Roosevelt is leading us. . . .

L. W. OSWALD

Naperville, ILL.

Sirs:

I do not know when I have enjoyed a picture so much as that in the Aug. 10 issue, the President eating a "hot dog." It is not often the big boss can be the object of so much fun, and more power to him!

C. W. COLLIER Nashville, Tenn.

In a Fog

Sirs:

... I read with much interest in the Sport Section of the July 27 issue your article covering the Honolulu race, and how through the efforts of Clarence W. MacFarlane the initial race from San Pedro was originally started. It was my pleasure to pick him up in a very dense fog, board his schooner and pilot him into San Francisco that memorable morning in 1906 when he arrived from Hawaii. It may be of interest to you and perhaps some of the old-timers in the yachting fraternity to know the true facts in this rather peculiar occurrence.

My family home was completely destroyed in the fire of 1906 and the only home I had left was my good sloop, Aloha. The problem we faced during those terrible days was getting proper food and, even though there was abundance of food being rushed into the city, there was no adequate means of obtaining it and no means at all of proper distribution. Therefore, I used the Aloha for what I called the

"Grub Ship," and would sail over to Oakland, Tiburon and Sausalito, which were unaffected by the earthquake, and bring in food and other supplies for my immediate family and many friends.

The night before I met Commodore MacFarlane, I set sail from what is now the San Francisco Yacht Harbor for Sausalito. In mid-channel the wind dropped and with a strong ebb: tide we drifted out through the Golden Gate. In those days, as many of the old-timers will remember, we had no auxiliary power, as sailors, men of the old school felt they could put their vessels into most any place they desired under their own sail by the old fashioned method known as "jayhawking." Drifting through the Gate a dense fog came in and I suggested to my companion that as long as we were out there we might as well keep on going and come in on the flood tide and breeze the next day. We sailed around all night between the San Francisco lightship and the Faralone Islands, twice during the night we passed the Bar Pilot's schooner, Lady Mine, in command of Captain Alex Swanson, who spoke to us wanting to know what in hell we were doing out there. . . .

Shortly after daylight, wandering around in a light breeze, the fog somewhat lifted, I gave way to an unknown schooner which happened to be on starboard tack. She spoke to me and asked if I knew just where I was and if I could pilot her into San Francisco. We jockeyed about and through a megaphone conversation I explained that I had only one man with me but if she had a man to spare to put on my boat I would gladly board her and take her into the harbor. She launched a yawl and sent two Kanakas over to the: Aloha and I took the yawl, pulled over and boarded her, and the skipper and I introduced ourselves, and that was my first meeting with Commodore Clarence MacFarlane on his schooner La Paloma. It was a trim little "pot," some 25 days out from Honolulu, delayed because of bad weather. I took my bearings from the lightship and started in for San Francisco Bay. ... I told him that Montgomery Street was in ashes and ruins, upon which he looked at me in dumb amazement. I did not realize he had been at sea all during our great catastrophe and that he did not realize that San Francisco had been practically wiped out. "Do you mean to tell me.'' he said, "that there is no more Palace Hotel. no Occidental Hotel?" The Occidental was the headquarters for practically all Honolulu people at that time. He continued, "Do you mean to tell me that San Francisco is in ashes clear out to Van Ness Avenue and beyond?" I told him that San Francisco had been almost completely destroyed.

We went through the formalities of customs and quarantine, having some difficulties explaining to the boarding officers how I happened to be aboard and had acted as a bar pilot.

As we sailed farther into the harbor he could see what was left of the beautiful city. Nothing but standing chimneys and steel frames and ruins which were still smoldering. I shall never forget the expression on his face. He looked, hardly believing what he saw, while the tears ran down his face, exclaiming, "This is simply terrible: I have always loved San Francisco as though it had been the city of my birth." Completely overcome, he did not know what he could do about his personal business or where he was going with his schooner or how to contact the people he wished to see. I sailed La Paloma to the Corinthian Yacht Club at Tiburon and tied her up to the Aloha's moorings where she stayed several days before sailing south. . . .

E. X. VAX BERGEN San Jose, Calif.

Pleased Sirs: For years your mature handling of Roman Catholic news items has pleased. . . . Your recent story on retreats and on ''Men of Malvern" [TIME, Aug. 17] delights one who is sometimes pained at botched attempts by other magazines.

S. G. A. RUDOLPH Philadelphia, Pa.

Sirs: As Past President of the Newark Diocesan Holy Name Federation, a pioneer organization in the work, I congratulate TIME on the splendid exposition of the Laymen's Retreat Movement.

With characteristic acumen the article dealing with this significant world-wide activity was titled "Golden Hours." . . .

In 1 8 years "Sixty Golden Hours" has encouraged thousands to withdraw from the world for an occasional weekend, to get a better view of life; mostly Catholics but many non-Catholics also, ministers, executives, workers.

Differing only in duration, Washington's later life was a continuing retreat, according to a distinguished friend of the Founder, who said in a public eulogy: "He devoted the remainder of his precious life to a commendable self-review of it; a review for which every wise man, know ing his accountability to a Sovereign Judge, should allot time and make opportunity." . . .

JUSTIN McACHON New York City Astor Case Sirs: ... I should think you would fear intervention of the postal authorities for sending obscenity through the mails, after your super-scandal-mongering of the Mary Astor-George Kaufman case [TIME, Aug. iyj. What, please, is the news value of such an article? FREDERICK W. STERN Cincinnati, Ohio Sexy but not obscene, the Astor case testimony had this news value : It was the biggest Hollywood scandal in 14 years.

--ED.

Sirs: Because an immoral movie actress writes a diary which an unprincipled ex-husband steals and has published, is it necessary for TIME to print it unexpurgated? Would you personally discuss things of such a nature before children? S. H. MAJOR Storm Lake, Iowa

Indiana's Requirements

Sirs: While reading your very interesting article on Miller McClintock and his efforts to reduce traffic accidents (TIME, Aug. 3), I was very much surprised to learn that the State of Indi ana required 20 hours of driving instruction in high schools as a prerequisite for application for an operator's permit. I was 17 years old when I took out my first permit in any State. That was in the spring of 1935 in Fort Wayne, Ind. Because I was under 1 8 it was necessary for my father to sign my application with me. While he went into the bureau office with me my mother drove our car around the block once, because she was unable to park. When she drove up in front of the office again, my father and I were wait ing for her and I was a full-fledged Indiana driver, 50-c- poorer. It took me a grand total of live minutes to acquire my license and I was asked only one question: "Have you ever, in any State, been issued a driving permit?" My answer was "No." Please tell me when that 20 hours a semester of highschool instruction requirement came into existence. I would like to know if I missed out on something.

FREDERICK L. BEELBY JR. Pittsburgh, Pa.

TIME did not say 20 hours driving instruction was a prerequisite for getting a license in Indiana. It is a requirement for a high-school diploma. The regulation was passed by the State Department of Education last spring, will go into effect this autumn.--ED.

Cause of Gripe Sirs:

Compliments, congratulations--and thanks-- for "Cotton & King" (TIME, Aug. 17).

Just one criticism: When you concluded: "So long as the U. S. is willing to sell cotton at world prices it can probably save its foreign markets. But to continue to sell at world prices, cotton costs must stay at world costs, which means a low standard of living for the South in perpetuity," you either overlooked or avoided the real cause of Mr.

Clayton's gripe about the tariff, to wit: The tariff raises Southern cotton production costs above world costs; hampers cotton exports by impeding industrial imports.

The South could have a decent living standard and still grow better cotton, at less cost, than Brazil, the Argentine, India,--if Southern farmers could buy production necessities as Brazilians, Indians et al. can, and if they could sell in friendly rather than hostile markets.

W. C. NEILL

Vice President Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

North Carrollton, Miss.

Sirs: Was so pleased to see the picture of Will Clayton on your cover. This is one of our greatest men. . . .

If more of our Northern people would recognize our Southern industry--cotton--the whole nation would be helped, as we can't keep half of our cotton farmers on the dole always.

MARGUERITE G. WILSON Washington, D. C.

Hot Foot

Sirs: To think that TIME and the sophisticated people who edit it should know so little about the great American pastime known as "Hot Foot" [TIME, Aug. 17].

Jack Dempsey is not applying the "hot foot" with his cigar--he is igniting it! As the recipient of many a "hot foot" in all parts of the country, I can give you an expert's description of how it is applied: A book-match is stuck between the upper and sole of the shoe. It is usually placed in the instep on outer side of the shoe. Naturally, the sulphur end extends.

The trick is to ignite the match without call-ing it to the attention of the victim. That is where Jack's cigar comes in. Striking a match to ignite the "hot foot" would make a noise.

Lighting it with a cigar or cigaret is easier and quieter.

The match burns quietly down to the end.

When the flame reaches the leather and the tender foot beneath it, the quiet ends.

VICTOR E. GRAHAM

Cedarhurst, L. I.

233,629

Sirs:

TIME, Aug. 10, referred to the circulation of the Philadelphia Record as 221,927.

The publishers are alleging a guaranteed circulation of 300,000.

Who is kidding whom and what are the facts?

OTTO KLEPPNER

New York City

As Adman Kleppner should know, standard source of U. S. circulation statistics is Audit Bureau of Circulations, whose latest report credits the Philadelphia Record with 233,629 daily, 372,740 Sunday.--ED.

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