First There Was One

Sirs:

A few days ago I had the opportunity of reading your issue of May 15. TIME is again circulating in Salvador, freely and uncut.

I was interested in your account of the revolution [against Dictator President Martinez] and its second phase, the strike. The statements are truthful and the information accurate. What interested me most of all was your statement that at least one copy of TIME got through. . . . Here is the story of that copy:

The copy was brought from outside by an innocent traveler. This traveler probably took care of hiding it from the eyes of customs officers who were on the lookout for it. But it did not escape our attention. The traveler did not suspect when the page containing the article was torn out of his magazine. The page was rushed to an official translator and afterwards given to trusted friends with instructions to make as many copies as they could.

Meanwhile, the rumor was started that TIME'S April 17th issue carried an article describing the situation. This was confirmed by the expurgated copies received by subscribers. After a couple of days the public's interest was ripe. . . . When this happened, copies were distributed one at a time under the condition that each recipient make at least ten copies and distribute them. Some time later half of Salvador was typing copies, and the other half was reading them. As far as we know, nobody was caught red-handed typing out translated copies of TIME'S article.

We have freedom now, and none of us would be in danger if we were to sign this. But to do so would involve third parties who cannot afford to be connected with political affairs one way or the other. That is why this letter will be signed only with a. . . .

El Salvador

The Issues

Sirs:

"The Gags Begin" (TIME, June 5) relieved my mind of a great worry. I had been fearful lest the forthcoming Presidential campaign would revolve abound questions of labor policy, international relations, taxes and such other piddling items used as bases for vote-getting. The high courage displayed by certain Democrats in exposing the cleverly concealed fact that Tom Dewey is only 5 ft. 8 in. tall has heartened me no end. I know now the campaign is to be marked by fearless orations on issues of paramount importance.

Should Republicans show an equal degree of fortitude by pointing out that FDR is growing bald, battle lines will be sharply drawn, the debates powerful and enlightening. . . .

PAUL E. BALDWIN

Chicago

Sirs:

After three years of interviewing women, I can report that if Willkie had bought a bottle of hair oil, he would now be President. I can also report that if Dewey will trim his mustache he will be our next President.

ARTHUR C. BURNETT Houston

That Irish Mile

Sirs:

We found your article on General Sir Harold Alexander (TiME, June 5) most interesting. However, aren't you a bit charged up on his athletic prowess? According to you, he ran an Irish mile (6,721 feet) in 4 minutes 33 seconds. At that rate of speed he covered a legitimate mile in approximately 3 minutes and 38 seconds, plus the fact that he had to travel another 1,441 feet at a comparable rate of speed. This is 24 seconds better than the world record. The timekeepers must have kissed the Blarney Stone.

(SGT.) SAM BASILICO

(CPL.) MORRIS JAFFE

Fort Dix, NJ.

Sirs:

. . . Did he run with or without full field equipment? By himself or behind a mechanical rabbit?

RICHARD B. NEFF

New York City

Sirs:

. . . No wonder Rommel retreated so rapidly with that man after him.

GERALD BUCHOLZ

Brazil, Ind.

Sirs:

. . . At that rate the General will be at Brenner Pass by the time you receive this.

THORN PENDLETON

Warren, Ohio

Sirs:

. . . Dash it all, it seems incredible.

GWILYM R. ROBERTS

Farmington, Me.

P: I Did Readers Basilico, Jaffe, et al. never hear, then, of the great Finn MacCool (TIME, Nov. 1) ? He was well known to have lepped the width of Ireland (115 Sassenach miles) in three jumps, and could outrun a hare or a stag itself, and he merely moving his legs gently, the way he'd be restoring his circulation.--ED.

Soda Pop Strike

Sirs:

When it is so easy for you to obtain the true facts about the Chrysler strike in Detroit [TIME, June 5], it seems to me that you deliberately mislead your readers when you say "Basis of the dispute: whether A.F. of L. or C.I.O. truckmen should deliver soda pop to the plants. Unioneer Thomas promptly ousted 15 officers of a U.A.W. local for participating in the 'soda pop war.'". . .

Anti-labor publications have magnified the soda pop angle in order to discredit Detroit labor, without the magnificent achievements of whom the United Nations would be in a tough spot.

You should be ashamed. Whom do you serve ?

NELSON M. FOOTE

Detroit, Mich.

P:The facts.--ED.

"There Will Come a Time"

Sirs:

I, and I believe very many others also, am very grateful to TIME for its coverage and evaluation of news. We who are so often too close to the drudgery, the incompetency, the inhumanity and uncharitableness of war too easily overlook the significance and sweep of affairs in which we play parts, though they be very minor ones. TIME illumines the too shaded areas.

A word of gratitude is also in order for TIME'S activities in keeping the sweeping, shadowy hand of officialdom from painting a rosy picture of deception. . . .

One doubly appreciates freedom when one finds what signing one's life away means. There will come a time when those of us in my position will once again be free men and real citizens, and though we have gained in charity and understanding, we will have also learned how dangerous the exercise of uncontrolled power will be, how black men's hearts and deeds can become when they have the will and power. We can then freely stand for justice, humanity and Christian charity.

Thank you, TIME, for many things.

[SERVICEMAN'S NAME WITHHELD]

Selman Field

Monroe, La.

D-Day Praying

Sirs:

Well, we certainly were a bunch of sweet people on Dday, weren't we? We almost knocked ourselves out with all that . . . public praying. . . .

Wouldn't it be swell if this sudden and widely advertised spiritual faith of ours could be translated into everyday affairs in such simple forms as honesty and tolerance?

SEWALL CLARK

Sierra Madre, Calif.

World Court

Sirs:

Your story on Candidate Bricker's speech (TIME, May 8) has a puzzling reference. You show Bricker saying: ". . . Personally, I have always felt that the United States should join the World Court."

If memories of high-school history serve me right, the U.S. has been a member of the World Court from the time it was founded, assisted in its foundation and had one of the original Justices on the Court. The status of the U.S. as a member was confirmed by the Senate several years later. What is this talk about joining, then? . . .

H. J. SMITH JR.

Captain

c/o Postmaster

Miami

P: In spite of the recommendation of every President from Harding to Roosevelt II, the Senate has steadfastly refused to let the U.S. join the World Court. Several U.S. citizens, including Charles Evans Hughes, have served as Court Judges--but as private individuals, not U.S. representatives.--ED.

The French Will Choose

Sirs:

Congratulations on your article about De Gaulle (TIME, May 29). It is highly informative; the most accurate account of the lofty leader that has yet appeared in print.

I have lived nine years in France--six of them as a .French Red Cross Nurse. If I know the French people as well as I think I do, it is exact to state that once they are free again to choose their representatives, neither De Gaulle nor any other leader will be imposed upon them. They will select the leaders they want--probably from among those who have suffered with them under the brutality of Nazi Occupation.

KATHARINE DOUGLAS SCHURING

San Mateo, Calif.

Costa Ricci

Sirs:

In TIME (May 29) you have an article on Captain Lewis Anselm Ritchie, R.N., relative to his appointment as press secretary to Brit ain's royal family. You state that "He is an experienced and popular writer (as 'Bartimeus' he is the author, etc -- )." In the preface to Steady as You Go by "Bartimeus" I note that his correct name is given as Capatin L. da Costa Ricci, C.V.O., R.N. Who is right? -- TIME, or the writer of the preface--William McFee. Engineer-Lieutenant, R.N.R., ret.

H. R. STOKER

Ottawa, Ont.

P: Captain Ricci became Ritchie in 1941.--ED.

Noble Gesture

Sirs:

A great cheer to Arthur Cremin, who has sent $1,000 to. Dr. Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of penicillin, through TIME [May 29]. Perhaps this noble gesture will attract the attention of the chemical companies who will commercialize and market this "wonder drug" and make them realize that it would be only fair to let Drs. Fleming & Florey share their great profits. . . .

MELCHIOR LENGYEL

Beverly Hills, Calif.

Pony Patted

Sirs:

Has TIME received the Army and Navy "E" in recognition of the last word in the important up-to-the-minute news as far as fighting men on the battlefronts of the world are concerned--the Pony Edition? The boys of the Ploesti-famous 98th Heavy Bombardment Group send TIME editors their congratulations and appreciation for the Pony.

DURWARD E. TIMMONS

1st Lieutenant

c/o Postmaster

New York City

Windadge in the Schoutens

Sirs:

A returning veteran from the Southwest Pacific told me of the following incident:

A Warrant Officer, 2nd Class, named Wright Windadge was in charge of a landing craft delivering jeeps to our troops on Biak. Just before making the landing an unaccountable swell shook the craft and the jeeps fell into the sea. When the troops ashore demanded to know where their transportation was, Windadge replied: "Many brave jeeps lie asleep in the deep."

Next day this Windadge was ordered to unload on Biak a cargo of C-rations. Again an unaccountable swell dumped the food into the sea. When the troops ashore demanded to know where their rations were, Windadge replied: "Full fathom five thy fodder lies."

The troops were on the verge of rioting when a Jap Zero came down to strafe them. Windadge made a quick draw with his bazooka, fired, made a direct hit on the Zero and stultified it. The rioting troops subsided forthwith, for that was shooting even in the Schoutens.

CHARLES F. FINNEY

Tucson, Ariz.

P: Hmm--ED.

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