Blockade

Sir:

At last, with the Cuban blockade, we are standing up to Communism. And I shall let nothing spoil my satisfaction and relief.

True, we have known about Castro's offensive missiles for several months, and most Republicans have been clamoring for action. But I refuse to believe that political considerations had any bearing on the fact that President Kennedy waited until two weeks before the national election.

Granted too that the Administration had a two-year history of appeasement and retreat before Cuba became an unavoidable issue. But I can't believe that our no-win foreign policy will seep back, once the polls have closed.

I don't believe it. I don't believe it. I don't believe it. . .

DONALD C. BATES

South Windsor, Conn.

Sir:

Like many another TIME reader, this voter listened to President Kennedy on Monday evening addressing the nation.

The President's purpose was, according to his own admission, to bring to the attention of the nation a suddenly developed crisis, a situation of a nearby Cuba arming with Soviet-supplied ballistic missiles capable of striking at the population and industrial heart of the U.S.

Our newspapers and newsmagazines have been reporting the urgency of the situation for months. The galling aspect of the President's announcement is its obvious political timing.

The same pronouncements could have been made two or three months ago with more justification.

W. P. McHOLLAND Lewisburg, Pa.

Sir:

The President's belated blockade has the backing of every patriotic citizen. But where was Mr. Kennedy while the Soviets were setting up dangerous nuclear missile bases in Cuba? He was out campaigning against reckless Republicans like Senator Capehart, who demanded a Cuban blockade.

JOHN G. HOLYOKE

Phoenix, Ariz.

Sir:

Your criticism of President Kennedy over Cuba was ill-timed. I hope you are satisfied now and will support the President.

JAMES SMITH Gardners, Pa.

Sir:

Hurray for Kennedy's new policy of brinksmanship and massive retaliation.

GEORGE LUENBERGER Pontiac, Mich.

Sir:

Essentially, President Kennedy's action with respect to Cuba is a declaration of war, yet a declaration in which the opportunity to make the surprise move, to take the initiative, is ineptly left to the enemy. It is a prime example of the half measures that are so disastrous in the field of international affairs.

By calling for a limited blockade, the President is in no manner harming the Castro regime or effectively eliminating its offensive capabilities. Yet once again, he is handing the Russians a huge advantage--the opportunity to take the initiative, to choose the time, place and form of a new crisis.

The U.S.S.R. has been given ample time to calmly consider the present situation and choose that course of action which will maximize Soviet gain at our expense. The U.S., by contrast, has no such advantage. The U.S. has been placed in an extremely dangerous position; yet no conclusive action has been taken, no advantage gained.

This pathetic situation would not exist today had the President acted courageously, and staged a rapid, forceful and decisive invasion of Cuba, presenting Russia with a fait accompli.

E. G. E. EMBIRICOS WARREN G. HELLER TOM EMERSON GEORGE A. GRATSOS Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, Mass.

Sir:

When we accepted a call to evangelistic work with the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Iran, many of our friends and relatives in the U.S. expressed concern that we would be living in the gunsights of the aggressor. Now it is our turn to be concerned. They are obviously closer to and in more danger of trouble than we are here.

(THE REV.) LYNDON DE WITT Teheran, Iran

Sir:

Give the Russians an inch and they will take a yard. To them, "Quiet Diplomacy" means weakness and indecisiveness.

Mr. Kennedy's speech, therefore, on the Russians' military buildup in Cuba and his seven-point program to deal with this dangerous threat to the peace and security of the Western Hemisphere, the U.S. and the free world, is heartening to us. We can only hope that, should the situation warrant it, Mr. Kennedy will back his brave words with deeds, since the Russians respect positive action and not high-sounding rhetoric.

We must now risk a drive to the abyss of war, if only by so doing we shall ensure the peace and survival of mankind.

ROBERT M. DAVIS Monrovia, Liberia

Nothing for Nothing

Sir:

I was amazed to find a great omission in your article on trading stamps [Oct. 26]. Walt Kelly, creator of Pogo, has solved

America's trading-stamp dilemma with Puce Genuine Non-Trading Stamps.

Puce Stamps are guaranteed absolutely worthless. The American housewife is thereby relieved of the chores of coupon licking and Stamp collecting. She is free to devote her time to other housewifery tasks.

JONATHAN DOLGER New York City

» Puce stamps have no glue, no books to stick them in, and a four-color catalogue of gifts you can't have. They give impact to a new trend--nothing for nothing.--ED.

Sir:

I wonder if the U.S. Government has looked into the tremendous possibilities for the use of the trading stamp idea in various of its financial operations. I am thinking, for example, of trading stamps as possible instruments for: inducing prompt payment of taxes, stepping up the sale of U.S. goods abroad, bringing about full payment of Government loans here and abroad, increasing the sale of Government bonds to finance the stockpiling of premiums.

If the idea could be made politically attractive enough to induce the Russians to compete with us, the cold war could well become the infinitely more interesting and rewarding--War of the Stamp.

GEORGE HOUSE

Harvey, Ill.

Andover and ...

Sir:

This is to express my warm appreciation of your excellent cover article on independent schools in the U.S. [Oct. 26]. This accurate picture of the aims, ideals, and accomplishments of these schools has brought salient facts to a very wide segment of the public.

With the ever increasing interest in such schools, it is important that the public in general be well informed about their philosophy, as well as their excellence.

JOHN F. GUMMERE

Chairman of the Board

National Association of Independent Schools Philadelphia

Sir:

TIME not only gave a very comprehensive view of Andover, but also took this opportunity to give due credit to the numerous private institutions in New England. Th account of the average day here at P.A. was well reported, as was the unusual history of Phillips Academy and our wonderful headmaster.

ROGER ALAN RITVO ('63)

Phillips Academy Andover, Mass.

Sir:

Your current issue carrying seemingly totally unrelated items, Phillips Academy and Pflugerville High School's phenomenal football record, struck a responsive chord. The Episcopal Diocese of Texas founded St Stephen's Episcopal School in Austin in 1950, seeking top academic performance informed by the Christian realties.

With 54 boys and girls enrolled in the fall of 1950, about a dozen boys went out for six-man football. The problem was whom to play.

Near at hand was harmless-looking Pflugerville powered by "Gorgeous Gault," a 210-lb. back-of-all-trades. The first play after opening kickoff, Gault threw the football 70 yds. for Pflugerville's first of many touchdowns. Final score: Pflugerville 93, St. Stephen's 12.

Twelve years later, St. Stephen's School offers first-class college preparatory training, plus effective, but not overemphasized, varsity athletics for 175 boys and girls, but no more Pflugerville.

(THE RT. REV.) JOHN E. HINES

Bishop

Episcopal Diocese of Texas Houston

Sir:

The educational plant at Andover is impressive. Headmaster Kemper has developed a school that seems ideally suited for training young minds in efficient operation. But is excellence to be manufactured? And is efficiency "the true end and real business of living" ?

America's greatness comes not from Organization Men but from eccentrics like Ben Franklin, Daniel Boone, Henry Thoreau and Thomas Edison.

As graduates of a school where "boat-rocking" is endorsed in Chapel, we wish the nation's second-best prep school were more devoted to heretical learning.

HARRISON YOUNG DANIEL MELIA JEFFREY HOBBING DAVID HUNSBERGER Exeter ('62) Harvard University Cambridge, Mass.

Sir:

We were happy to see that Taft was not mentioned in the same breath with Hotchkiss, Hill, Loomis, or Pomfret, but were somewhat surprised to note that the school was accorded no space whatsoever in your article.

EVERETT ANDERSON ('63) PETER G. STERRY ('63) Taft School Watertown, Conn.

Sir:

You forgot to mention Austin-Gate Academy in Center Strafford, N.H.

STANLEY DEVORIN POST on behalf of the Faculty and Student Body Austin-Gate Academy Center Strafford, N.H.

Sir:

I'm sure that Cole Porter, class of 1909, Rear Admiral Donald MacMillan, former faculty member and famous mariner and explorer, and many other famous alumni of

Worcester Academy, Worcester, Mass., will be greatly upset over your omission.

JAMES H. METCALF ('40) Cranston, R.I.

Sir:

Tilton School in Tilton, N. H.

MRS. G. L. PLIMPTON

Wilbraham, Mass.

Sir:

Belmont Hill School in Belmont, Mass.

MARK J. WEINBAUM

Columbia University New York City

Sir:

Berwick Academy.

LINDA A. TREMBLAY Berwick Academy South Berwick, Me.

Sir:

Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, N.H.

NORMAN R. DEMING (K.U.A., '40) Newtown Square, Pa.

Sir:

St. Albans, Washington, D.C.; Episcopal High School, Alexandria, Va.; Woodberry Forest School, Woodberry Forest, Va.

MRS. HARRY B. AYERS Washington, D.C.

Sir:

Lenox School, Lenox, Mass. ALEXANDER B. PORTER (LENOX, '43) Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Sir:

Cheshire Academy, Cheshire, Conn. LEWIS L. SMART III (CHESHIRE, '59) Colgate University Hamilton, N. Y.

Sir:

Monson Academy.

GEORGE E. ROGERS

Headmaster Monson Academy Monson, Mass.

Sir:

Valley Forge Military Academy, Wayne, Pa.

MIKE FIELDS (V.F.M.A., '58) University of Colorado Boulder, Colo.

Prep Schools

Sir:

After reading your amazing cover story on prep schools, a question occurred to me: Are there any public high schools that are considered on a par, academically, with prep schools like Andover? After reading of the wonders being performed with the mind at Andover, I'm nearly afraid of the answer.

ELAINE ZACCONI Alfred University Alfred, N.Y.

» Most public high schools are at a distinct disadvantage--they must admit all who want to attend. However, there are schools that have enriched programs for top students. New Trier Township High in Winnetka, Ill., Newton (Mass.) High and Melbourne (Fla.) High are a few examples. For some big-city students attending selective high schools, such as New York City's crack Bronx High School of Science and Lowell High in San Francisco, the curriculum is every bit as rugged and the entrance competition as tough as at Andover.--ED.

Market Worry

Sir:

Re your story "Making the Market" [Sept. 14], I emphatically disagree with your statement that Philips is "clearly worried lest the Common Market Executive in Brussels crack down too harshly on pricing agreements among European manufacturers." What we are worried about is the cracking down on big business in general with its effect on public opinion.

FRITS PHILIPS

President Philips Lamp

Eindhoven, The Netherlands

There Will Always Be Politics

Sir:

As an ex-Scrantonian (geographically only), and well aware of the kinship between TIME and Bill Scranton, I was quite prepared to read a completely biased article [Oct. 19]. Your treatment of both candidates for governorship of Pennsylvania was stunningly unprejudiced.

As for my new bailiwick, your report on Love, McNichols, Dominick and Carroll was equally impartial and keen.

(MRS.) JEAN AMERMAN FREY Boulder, Colo.

Sir:

Philadelphia is a vibrant, energetic city awakened from its lethargy and sullenness by a vigorous and dynamic leader--Mayor Dilworth.

As he expressed it himself, he is "an emotional man, and damn proud of it." It takes a dynamic and experienced leader, one who puts ideals and logic above party, to lead the morose monolith, the Keystone State, to the glory and greatness it deserves.

WILLIAM GEARY

Penns Park, Pa.

Sir:

My Aunt Gert and Uncle Walter Snyder worked for the Scrantons for some 42 years. At Hobe Sound, Fla., one night, a tanker was torpedoed off the coast. The "Duchess," as you called her, and my Aunt Gert and Uncle Walt helped all of the survivors into the elegantly furnished Scranton winter home. About 100 oil-soaked sailors were given blankets, cigarettes, coffee, sandwiches. Mrs. Scranton was up all night helping to make the men comfortable.

With all their famous wealth, the Scrantons were just plain good folks, always helping others. Their son Bill, I know, is carrying on the same tradition.

(MRS.) DOROTHY JONES MACE Anderson, Ind.

Kiss, Kiss

Sir:

Bravo to the author of "cocktail kissing" [Oct. 19]. It was one of the truest and funniest articles I've read in TIME. But now I'll never be able to pucker against a cheekbone without bursting out laughing.

KATHERINE T. GUTE Sharon, Mass.

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