Election Coverage Sir: I was particularly impressed by your Election Extra [Nov. 4] because you did it so smoothly and well. As a publisher, I appreciate the extra effort of every member of your staff-and the fantastic cost.

DOUGLAS CRANE Publisher, West Coast Edition Playbill Los Angeles Sir: Your state-by-state presidential countdown [Oct. 30] proved to be extremely accurate. All the states were called correctly except Georgia and Wyoming.

Also, your predicted electoral vote was almost on the nose. Truly a job well done.

JEFFREY P. COHEN Brooklyn

> TIME'S predicted electoral vote: 495-43.

Actual vote: 486-52.-ED.

Man with a Mandate Sir: We got our choice-he got his echo.

RICHARD A. REINGOLD Easthampton, Mass.

Sir: I am proud of my country, not only for rejecting racism and extremism, but for giving a mandate to Johnson to create those programs so desperately needed by all Americans. I'm confident that he will prove to be a great President.

ROSEMARY FAIRBAIRN New York City Sir: Barry Goldwater promised the people the greatest upset in American politics.

He kept his promise. He upset the American people so much that they went to the polls in overwhelming numbers to cast their ballots for Lyndon B. Johnson.

DIANE L. GALLAGHER Wood-Ridge, N.J.

Sir: Probably the worst disservice of the Goldwater candidacy was to compel the overwhelming majority of American voters to give Lyndon Johnson a victory that, as history will note, he did not deserve.

(MRS.) REGINA M. ZACHARIAH Boulder, Colo.

Sir: Senator Goldwater convinced me that he is honest, sincere and moral. Sheer terror overwhelmed me when I considered his possible election.

MARJORIE BEATY New York City Sir: Mr. Goldwater succeeded in at least one thing. He succeeded in undermining the respect for the man the American people must elect President.

ARTHUR P. LUSBY Providence Sir: Since extremism in the expression of one's mood is no vice, I am extremely elated that Barry Goldwater and all he stands for have been so roundly rebuked.

BENTON BERMAN Bloomfield, Conn.

Sir: Pity the beloved protector of our "Great Society!'' He has 1,460 nights to go wondering whether those 26 million voters will ever love him.

A. J. VALOIS North Andover, Mass.

Grand Old Tattered Party Sir: In '68, Scranton, Romney, Murphy, Knowles. Please, let's have a chance-to hell with the choice.

GEORGE A. PARKINS III Mount Prospect, 111.

Sir: I hope that all Republicans, independents, and enlightened Democrats will get their Romney buttons now and avoid the rush later.

THOMAS E. KLUNZINGER East Lansing, Mich.

Sir: It is still almost inconceivable that a large group of intelligent Republican delegates would meet at San Francisco and overwhelmingly nominate a weird and controversial character. There ought to be, there must be, a better way of selecting candidates for national office.

J. F. WILLRETT DeKalb, 111.

Sir: I understand that Rockefeller, Scranton and Romney are meeting to rebuild the Party. These men are responsible for tearing it down-they did not support the convention's choice. Now 26 million people will never support them. We conservatives will form our own party. Let them join the Democrats-they can't win without us. We are resting a few days; we will get busy again. We will fight Johnson's "Great Society" (socialism) forever! (MRS.) BETTY C. HERTENSTEIN Columbus Sir: It should now be clear that the cloak of extremism must be shed, and conservatism should act as a brake, not an engine. It is insulting to America to make pompous, chauvinistic claims of patriotism that imply that all others are traitors. It is hypocritical to bleat for more freedoms and at the same time force minorities to enter the back door of society. The traditional role of a conservative is to act as a sea anchor on the ship of state, keeping it pointed in the proper direction but not halting its forward progress. Nations are known by whether or not they think their best days lie ahead or in the past. Let's get to work on the problems of the future.

K. L. JOHNSON San Jose, Calif.

Those Dragged Down Sir: The greatest tragedy of Nov. 3 was not Goldwater's defeat, but the irreparable damage to the Republican Party in the unnecessary election losses by many fine and capable G.O.P. public servants, who were dragged down to defeat with him. One man-who led a minority faction of the party-hurt so many good Republicans who were deserving of better fates.

CARROLL W. LUCAS Wyckoff, N.J.

Sir: Re Salinger and Murphy: it just goes to show that it is more important to know Shirley Temple than it is to know Caroline Kennedy.

MRS. HAROLD LANDSMAN Chicago Sir: You are so right when you say Percy was a "highly touted comer"-by you and the Chicago newspapers. But Kerner gained the support of powerful downstate newspapers and many normally Republican voters. Mr. Percy and his backers can only blame their loss upon the fact that the majority of the voters believe that Kerner has done a good job. Percy couldn't convince them otherwise-in fact he wore out his welcome downstate.

MARGUERITE A. PORTER Evanston, 111.

Sir: According to our latest poll (C.B.S.

>Carpetbagger Survey), most states will have to wait at least 20 years before there are enough Kennedys to go around.

R. J. HAMILTON Philadelphia Urban Renewal Sir: In this period of controversy about urban renewal, your cover story [Nov. 6] was outstanding. By emphasizing the role of city planning, you make a signal contribution-one which is yet to be fully appreciated or adequately emulated. I especially appreciated your stress upon local action and local programs, for it is at the local level that urban renewal must succeed or fail.

ROBERT C. WEAVER Administrator Housing and Home Finance Agency Washington Sir: The Urban Renewal Project River Park in Washington, D.C., shown in color was designed by us. You insult the architectural profession when you lead the American people to believe that these projects are created anonymously.

CHARLES M. GOODMAN Charles M. Goodman Associates, Architects Washington Sir: Scores of cities not mentioned in the limited space available for your report are getting results comparable to those of Philadelphia, etc. Too few, however, have men comparable to Ed Bacon to guide their efforts. With many, their leadership springs from voluntary citizen action, chiefly among forward-looking businessmen. Indeed, a most heartening thing about urban renewal is the degree of involvement in city problems that it has generated among business leaders. These groups, many of whom ACTION represents as a national headquarters, will find your article a timely and needed tonic.

JAMES E. LASH Executive Vice President ACTION Inc.-The National Council for Good Cities New York City Sir: As one who was active in the "Better Philadelphia Exhibition," which you mentioned, we think the most revealing part of this show was the fact that as each person left the exhibition, he was asked whether he would be willing to have his taxes increased in order to make possible those improvements in Philadelphia.

While I don't recall the exact figures, they were overwhelmingly in the affirmative, indicating that without question, people are willing and anxious to have their cities improved-and what's more, will pay their share of the cost.

ARTHUR C. KAUFMANN Philadelphia Sir: I was delighted with your cover story on urban renewal. I thought your analysis of the progress cities have made and your pictorial presentation were excellent. It is the best story I have seen on the impact and importance of urban renewal to America's cities.

WILLIAM L. SLAYTON Commissioner Urban Renewal Administration Washington Out-Earped?

Sir: Too bad Acting Attorney General Katzenbach is too young to remember that there was a time when U.S Marshal James McShane [Oct. 23] was out-Earped and faltered under fire. Didn't an accused spy by the name of Dr. Robert Soblen successfully poison himself while in Mc-Shane's custody? JOHN HOUSTON Danville, Calif.

>Soblen was not in McShane's custody during their flight from Israel to London in 1962 when Soblen stabbed himself with (1 steak knife on the El AI Airline flight Ihe marshal had returned to the U.S. before Soblen successfully poisoned himself in London.-ED.

Sir: My respects to you for praising where praise is due. Too often news media editorialize solely against the "bad guys" ans forget to pat the "good guys" likeChief Marshal McShane on the back.

Cambridge, Mass.

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