Hunch
Sirs:
Can TIME tell us of Wythe Williams' (TIME, Nov. 28, p. 43) recent hunches concerning the European situation? Is he still betting on a world war within a year?
D. T. BRITSCH
Akron, Ohio
> TIME asked Wythe Williams, foreign news expert and editor of Connecticut's Greenwich Time, for his up-to-the-minute opinion. According to Williams: "Great Britain and France now have their last chance to seize the leadership of Europe that has been usurped by Germany, and thus preserve peace. If they fail, then war is inevitable, probably by the beginning of summer. It will be war to the bitterest end. Germany may lose. But also she may very probably drag the world down with her. . . ."--ED.
Anagram
Sirs:
Anent Adolf Hitler's repeated assertions that he would not take any more European countries under his vulture's wing, and his repeated breaking of his word, how about the following transposition of the letters in his name:
A. HITLER
THE LIAR
GOLDWIN GOLDSMITH Austin, Tex.
Foundation
Sirs:
. . . We Americans love our land as much as Herr Schoettle [TIME, March 20] loves his but we do not have to commit harakiri or rob, degrade and enslave one part of a people in order that the other part may exist.
Perhaps Herr Schoettle will hold contempt for the views of a Jew. However, I always did have respect for Hitler. He rebuilt a desolate nation out of ashes, but he forgot one thing, THE FOUNDATION.
GEORGE PLAFKIN Grand Rapids, Mich.
"Weuns"
Sirs:
Years ago--30 anyway and perhaps 40--a bill was introduced in Congress providing that our country be known henceforth as "Usona," short for United States of North America [TIME, March 13 et seq.]. Whereupon John Sharp Williams of Mississippi moved as a substitute that instead of "Usona" the name be "Weuns." The bill got no farther.
RAMSEY BENSON
Ashland, Ore.
Babs' Boy Sirs :
In its issue of March 13, under the heading People on p. 62, TIME implied that the Countess Barbara Hutton Haugwitz-Reventlow appeared before an English court & renounced the custody of her young son to ensure her Danish divorce going through.
The order of the English High Court of Justice had nothing to do with the divorce question, and merely confirmed the custody provisions of the Danish separation agreement, whereby the Countess has the custody of her son, Lance, for nine months each year until he is six years of age, and thereafter the custody of him for six months annually until he is 21.
The inference, from TIME'S statement, is that there was a bargain between the parties whereby the Countess gave up custody of her son to ensure a divorce. This is wholly incorrect, and unfair both to the Count and Countess.
GEORGE W. TITCHFIELD
New York City
> In reporting the latest legal maneuver of the Haugwitz-Reventlows, TIME and the whole U. S. press slipped. Countess Babs still has most of her son, all of her $40,000,000.--ED.
"Blow Kingstons"
Sirs:
TIME'S leg was pulled last year by one W. T. Door of the U. S. Naval Academy [TIME, Feb. 21, 1938]. Two others, namely, Joe Gish of Annapolis and Charley Noble of the U.S.S. Seattle made a try [TIME March 7, 1938] but were out stealing second base. Recently you published a letter from New London from B. Lowe Kingston [TIME March 6]. I seriously suspect that the name is a nom de plume originating from one versed in submarine orders since "blow Kingstons" (Kingston valves) is familiar to the ears of all submarine sailors, and New London is the home of the Submarine Base on the Atlantic Coast. Can TIME stand a second blush in its Letters column, or can't you take it? How about it?
B. M. (BLOW ME, TO YOU) DOWNE
United States Navy Yard New York City
Sirs:
No repercussions were expected from my nom de plume, B. Lowe Kingston, particularly so since the letter as published did "not mention "Submarine Base," merely "New London," and I hope no inconvenience has resulted. A tribute to your New York Navy Yard correspondent whose keen-eyed reading of TIME saw through the nom de plume. I suspect that he has at some time had duty at the Submarine Base. My reason for the nom de plume was that I did not care to have my name published in the event you decided to print any observation or correction which I might have made and forwarded to you. However, I cannot let my New York Navy Yard shipmate "Downe" down.
R. E. BASSLER
Lieut. Comdr. (CEC) USN Public Works Officer
United States Submarine Base
New London, Conn.
> TIME'S Letters editor is hereby ordered to train his spyglass on all letters from sailors.--ED.
Giant
Sirs:
After reading your item regarding the Robert Wadlow trial held in St. Joseph, Mo. [TIME, March 20], I feel urged to write this letter, since I had a business occasion to be with Robert Wadlow and his parents in Alton, Ill. last Sunday, March 19.
While I have no reason to question the judge's decision in finding for the defendant, I cannot help but feel that Robert Wadlow is a much misjudged person.
To say that he is "apathetic, unfriendly, antagonistic" is as great a misstatement as it is to say he is a midget. When I entered the Wadlow home to be first greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Harold Wadlow, the parents, Robert arose from his specially built chair to shake my hand in as affable a manner as I have received anywhere, either in business or social circles.
Because, of what I should call "a wholesome Christian" attitude of the Wadlow family, I have learned they have refrained from making an exhibitionist of Robert, by refusing many lucrative offers for World's Fair appearances. They prefer any type of dignified appearances for Robert at little more than expense money than they would to receive an enormous salary that would put him in the class of a freak.
I could not help but appreciate the editorial from a St. Joseph newspaper that Mr. Wadlow showed me. In substance it mentioned the fact that Lindbergh could not stand the strain of the public and the publicity and, to avoid it, finally went to England where he could be more secluded. But, the editorial added, Lindbergh was not subjected to the same type of public attention that Robert Wadlow is. He (Robert) whenever in public, is gaped at, is always surrounded by people. But with all this, he maintains a pleasant and friendly disposition.
While I'd certainly be reluctant to change physical conditions with Robert Wadlow,I'd not mind changing mental and moral poise. He is as big in character as he is in stature.
SAM A. PACTOR
Washington Herald Washington, Ind.
Fares to Hawaii
Sirs:
Regarding your article under Transport in the March 20 issue of TIME in which you give Pan American's new air fares San Francisco to Honolulu and San Francisco to Hong Kong, you say "comparative boat fares $215, $425." The minimum first class fares on the Matson Line from San Francisco to Honolulu on the Lurline, Mariposa, and Monterey (in a twin-bedded, inside, double room with private toilet) is $125. Matsonia fares are the same but minimum accommodations have no private toilet.
We have enough trouble convincing prospects that this rate is not too high. Don't make it any harder.
R. W. HARDACRE
Hardacre-Lyman Travel Service Los Angeles, Calif.
> TIME'S $215 figure should have read $125. Matson Line minimum one-way fare to Honolulu: $125; Canadian Pacific (out of Vancouver): $115 on small boats, $125 on Empress of Japan; American President Line: $120 & $130.--ED.
Chicago's Solomon
Sirs:
Congratulations and felicitations on the publicity given Izler Solomon in the Music section of TIME, March 27. I've been wondering how long it would be before wide-awake TIME tumbled to the fact that a first-rank American conductor was maturing in Chicago.
Mr. Solomon's success is particularly gratifying to his Lansing, Mich. friends (where he was permanent conductor of the local symphony immediately before going to Chicago) because in spite of their efforts, the local public was not astute enough to realize his worth, withholding the support necessary to keep him from slipping through its fingers.
ARTHUR R. LUEDDERS Lansing, Mich.
Fletcher, Confucius, et al.
Sirs:
In TIME of March 27, p. 12, under The Judiciary you print in a footnote the information that Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun, Scotland, was the author of the following:
"Give me the making of the songs of a nation, and I care not who makes its laws."
In the general maxims of Confucius can be found this quotation:
"I care little who makes a nation's laws if I have the making of its ballads."
Does not TIME credit the wrong author?
RUSSELL KIDWELL
Washington, D. C.
> Probably. And TIME suspects that Confucius cribbed the crack from an earlier pundit.--ED.
Prolificity
Sirs:
Did you ever hear of Colonel Prentiss Ingraham's colossal writing capacity? Ingraham would have six serial stories running at one time in different periodicals, and provide the copy as required; a detective story, romance story, wild west story, Indian tale, sea story, and Mexican stories of adventure--all good stuff.
I believe he tops [Edgar] Wallace [TiME, March 13] for prolificity and ability. Then we have Napoleon's record as a writer. In 1807 when in Poland, Napoleon wrote more than 1,700 letters and dispatches on affairs of war and state in less than three months. When he did this without our present facilities of communication, what would he have done with them?
JOHN FRASER
Brooklyn, N. Y.
> Colossal is the word for Prentiss Ingraham's (1843-1904) prolificity. His career supplied him with material aplenty. A soldier of fortune, he fought in the Civil War, under Juarez in Mexico, in the Austro-Prussian War, in Crete, in Africa, in Cuba. He wrote more than 600 novels, twelve plays--''without distinction [but] . . . written in a surprisingly correct and easy fashion and . . . wholesome in their general teachings." Napoleon's writings had a more disturbing effect.--ED.
Beards in Omaha
Sirs:
In our city many gentlemen are allowing their whiskers to grow in order to furnish a little color for the world premiere of the picture Union Pacific which will be shown this spring at three local motion picture houses. The premiere will last two days.
Employes of the Union Pacific Railway have been rather gently admonished that it will be much the best for them to allow their facial hay to grow in preparation for those two gala days. . . . Some men with beards growing have become very well pleased with the effect and several have vowed to keep their beards after the world premiere is over. . . .
It might not be inadvisable for holders of securities in shaving accessory companies to at least reduce their holdings until the result of this experiment is determined. I would also advise owners of securities in neckwear companies to watch this development with suspicion, for with the coming of full beards, neckties may become practically obsolete.
A. LINCOLN SUTTON Omaha, Neb.
What Ever Became of . . . ?
Sirs:
In view of the fact that Sudeten Nazi Fuehrer Konrad Henlein has finally reappeared in the news as the new civil administrator of conquered Bohemia, could TIME tell what ever became of the Austrian Nazi Fuehrer, Arthur Seyss-Inquart? Promptly after Anschluss Seyss-Inquart was shelved in favor of Josef Buerckel as Nazi Governor of Austria. Lastly, please what is the present fate of Kurt von Schuschnigg and Pastor Niemueller?
WINFIELD QUALLS Pasadena, Calif.
>Dr. Arthur Seyss-Inquart is still, technically, provincial Governor of Austria, but is ranked by Josef Buerckel, Reich Commissioner for Austria, who has been given the job of Nazifying the gay Viennese. Seyss-Inquart's governorship is soon to end.
Rev. Martin Niemoeller, though acquitted of treason more than a year ago, is beginning his second year of "protective custody" in Sachsenhausen concentration camp.
Kurt von Schuschnigg, former Chancellor of Austria, is locked in an attic room of Vienna's Hotel Metropole. He is reported to have lost weight alarmingly, to walk on crutches, to be suffering a mental breakdown. Only person allowed to visit him is his wife. Says Reich Commissioner Buerckel: "He lives, he eats, he drinks." It is understood that Schuschnigg will never come to trial. Rumors of his recent release have been denied. -- ED,
Judgment Day?
Sirs:
Would it startle your readers too much to suggest that we are now probably witnessing the great Day of Judgment? Certainly the magnitude of the present World crisis is enough to justify such a serious conclusion.
While the whole democratic world is shocked at Hitler's atrocities, some discerning critics are apt to interpret him as one of the destructive monsters depicted in Saint John's Book of the Revelation.
But as all nations are called before the Judgment Seat, can any one of them claim to be sinless? Which of the great powers can consistently throw a stone at Hitler? Even England and our own country must hang their heads in shame when confronted with the records of their past. And to this very day they are both countenancing a social system which is essentially predatory ; they are allowing the superabundant gifts of Nature to be exploited by corporate greed, while millions of innocent persons are condemned to penury and want.
Hence the message of Justice must be: "You large nations who view Hitler with disgust and alarm, look again more carefully, and you will doubtless discover that what you call 'Hitler' is also your own image reflected in the mirror."
(REV.) JAMES L. SMILEY Annapolis, Md.
Lynx, Hydra?
Sirs:
When we saw the "large alley cat" want ad in the local daily we wondered whether it might reappear in Miscellany -- and sure enough there it was, in an early issue of TIME [March 27]. What I would like to know -- if it is not asking too much -- is how an obscure item in a newspaper of limited circulation came to the notice of a national magazine? The reader (? readers) of your exchanges must be lynx-eyed, or Hydra-headed, or-what?
JULIAN STANLEY Evanston, Ill.
> Just Argus-eyed. -- ED.
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