"Rich Man's Magazine"
Sirs:
TIME is my favorite magazine. In St. Petersburg, Fla., recently I made a canvass of a number of newsstands before I found a copy of TIME. When found, the man behind the counter remarked when he handed it to me, "This is only a rich man's magazine." When asked why he thought so, he said: "One never sees the portrait of any other than a rich man, on the front cover." He challenged me to name a single exception. I could not do it. Are there any ?
T. M. EDMISTON
Newark, Ohio
Comparatively "poor men" who have appeared on TIME's cover: Anton Lang, John L. Lewis, Pope Pius XI, Alfred E. Smith, Paul von Hindenburg, Andrew Volstead, Doctor Ray Lyman Wilbur, Admiral Togo, Rene Fonck, Helen Wills, Joseph Conrad, Carrie Chapman Catt, Roy Chapman Andrews, Eugene O'Neill, John Joseph Pershing, Abd-el-Krim, Ramsay MacDonald and Leon Trotzky--ED.
People
Sirs :
Since every Bozo in the country has an opportunity in LETTERS to gripe or gloat over TIME's policy from size to the red border, may I take this opportunity to find fault with the dropping of the column PEOPLE? . . .
E. C. KUSTERER
Birmingham, Ala.
Let Subscriber Kusterer examine the Table of Contents of this issue, on p. 9.--ED.
Cohens, Bergs
Sirs:
In TIME, Feb. 14, which I read as carefully and as thoroughly as every issue of TIME which reaches me, you have an articles "Steps" under MISCELLANY.
Whatever can have been your purpose in the use of the introductory sentence* I cannot fathom, unless it were a desire to be "smart. . . ."
Apropos of this paragraph: I read it to my wife (we are Jewish) who recently was thrown by an automobile on our principal thorofare, and who, contrary to your innuendo, made no fuss when she discovered that she had no injuries beyond a few bruises; that, even though the motorist was traveling along entirely beyond a reasonable rate of speed. Just yesterday she related her experience to a neighbor, who embraces the Christian faith, and this neighbor asked her hastily and excitedly, "Did you get anything"? and added, "I would not have let him get away with it!"
Not much different from the Cohens and Bergs.
ALEXANDER E. ABRAMSON
Belleville, N. J.
"Jew"
Sirs:
Under TIME, Feb. 7, p. 38, you printed: "Princeton footballer, saturnine Knowlton L. ('Jew') Ames Jr., publisher of the Chicago Journal of Commerce." Why ("Jew") in parenthesis?
DR. J. WESSELOWSKI
Jewell City, Kan.
Able son and namesake of an able father, Knowlton L. ("Jew") Ames Jr. was called "Junior" by his family to avoid confusion. After "Junior" was abbreviated to its first syllable for convenience, friends, to tease, spelled it "Jew." The able father, Knowlton L. ("Snake") Ames, was also a footballer; derived his nickname from his elusive, "squirmy," hard-to-tackle action as quarterback of Princeton elevens in 1886-89.--ED.
"Mademoiselle Fifi"
Sirs:
In TIME, Feb. 7, under RUMANIA you specify that the red-haired siren who lured Crown Prince Carol (great-grandson of Queen Victoria) from his Royal and morganatic consorts is a Jewess.
For the edification of yourself and the readers of TIME I respectfully refer you to Guy de Maupassant's short story "Mademoiselle Fifi," wherein you may learn of the characteristic difference between Jewish and non-Jewish filles de joie. Which may also explain why Princes of Royal Nordic descent prefer Jewesses.
L. N. SPERLING
Cleveland, Ohio
Let Subscriber Sperling explain his meaning. "Mademoiselle Fifi" is the nickname of a Prussian officer, created in fiction by Guy de Maupassant, who has him propose (in 1870) to five French filles de joie (one of them a Jewess) and his brother officers, the toast: "Ours, every woman of France."
The Christian girls cower, but the Jewess, Rachel, cries : "I! I! I'm not a woman, I'm only a--a -- slut! That's good enough for a Prussian!" Forthwith she stabs "Mademoiselle Fifi" in the throat, killing him, then escapes by jumping out the window, finally hides for months in a church tower, fed and cared for by the priest and the sacristan.--ED.
Booby Prize
Sirs:
I wish that the managers of the Harvard Advertising Awards would offer a booby prize and certificate, so that I might nominate for this distinction Boni & Liveright's advertisement of The Revolt of Youth in TIME, Feb. 21.
This advertisement states: "Judge Ben B. Lindsey will soon introduce into the Denver legislature a bill to provide for a new form of marriage. . . ."
First, there is no such body as the "Denver Legislature." Second, if the Colorado legislature is meant, Judge Lindsey is not a member and could not, therefore, "introduce" any bill.
J. J. LIPSEY Colorado Springs, Col.
Knows Oranges
Sirs:
In TIME, Feb. 21, reference "Mr. Ford's Week," I note you refer to Edison's birthday party at West Orange, N. J. All other papers and magazines give it as Orange, N. J., which is not right.
No part of his plant or home is in Orange and I am glad to see your paper correct.
Credit where credit is due.
C. O. WOODRUFF
New Haven, Conn.
Elusive Brashares
Sirs:
Anent the list of "J. B's" in which the name of John Brashares appears (TiME, Feb. 7).
I believe your correspondent refers to John A. Brashear, distinguished astronomer and scientist, who died April 8, 1920, at Pittsburgh, Pa. A year prior to his death, he was voted the most useful citizen of Pennsylvania. Refer to any encyclopedia for further information concerning Dr. Brashear.* Prior to the death of Dr. Brashear, it was considered that no banquet was complete without having on its roster one of the three prominent J. B's of Pittsburgh: James Francis Burke, famed Pittsburgh lawyer, Judge Buffington of the Circuit Court of Appeals, and Uncle John Brashear, as he was affectionately known.
ROLAND A. McCRADY
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Let Subscriber Elizabeth Brand, who listed John Brashares (unknown to TIME) as a famed "J. B." state whether John A. Brashear was meant.--ED.
Engineer's Opportunity
Sirs:
I have just read TIME, Feb. 14, and hasten to correct what might be taken as the wrong impression of our attitude toward farming. I do not believe that farming is "obsolescent foolishness," neither do I think, nor have ever said that the farmer "ought to be put in a museum along with the dodo and the cobbler and the individual candlestick maker."
We much appreciate your reference to our farming job and it pleases us to get recognition in such a popular magazine as TIME. We have the very highest regard for the farmers and farming and we are making every effort to give farming the dignity and prestige to which it is entitled. We maintain there are two types of farming under the present economical conditions in the United States, namely the small farm, operated by the farmer and his family, without any payroll, and the large farm operated on an industrial basis with high priced skilled mechanics, improved machinery and industrial management. We will always have the small farm in the United States, but the western country, known as the Great Plains Area, where the rainfall is limited to 15 inches, can only be successfully farmed on the large production basis with low cost of operation per acre. . . .
We are trying to prove that farming can be made a success and that it is entitled to the same consideration from capital and businessmen as any other industry. It presents the greatest opportunity today for the mechanical engineer. It is rather hard to increase the selling price of a commodity which competes with foreign markets and does not have tariff protection. The alternative is to reduce the cost of production or get tariff protection. . . .
It would please us very much if a representative of TIME could visit our job during the harvest and thrashing season, as we feel certain it would be even more interesting than a visit to some of our large industrial plants.
With a great deal of respect and the highest esteem for TIME.
(signed) CAMPBELL* Campbell Farming Corp. Hardin, Mont.
TIME did not quote Subscriber Campbell directly, but erred in giving too broad a meaning to his industrial-farm idea.--ED.
One of the States
Sirs:
Your recent description of New Mexico states: "New Mexico is one of the 48 states of the Union." Thanks, when did you find it out? You know, there are thousands of tourists, citizens of the U. S., who in passing through this state each year, believe they are touring Old Mexico. Your article should be enlightening to a great many that have never traveled "West Broadway."
IRVIN MOORE
Hagan, New Mex.
In West Virginia
Sirs :
I am another one of those plain West Virginia folks who have a bit of fun, especially reading those ignorant comic letters which some folk from Ohio are always writing about our state, "The Switzerland of America."
We have wonders here which I doubt can be equaled anywhere. For instance, we have wells here in Calhoun County, W. Va. that produce pure gasoline, that is pumped by machinery from the deep wells. Can Ohio match this? (They've 'flowed' for a while.)
I have read many common magazines, but I want to say of yours, that "TIME is fine and will keep the reader prime." Your paper is my choice of all, but it is wonderful how you can endure so many complaining, grouchy letters.
EDDIE KIRBY
Joker,/- W. Va.
Quantity, not Quality
Sirs :
I have been interested in reading the letters exchanged through your pages by vehement supporters of Ohio and West Virginia. In the interest of fair play, although an Ohioan I wish to take exception to the letter of George Zweiger (TIME, Feb. 28) in which he referred to West Virginia as "Ohio's coal bin." While a good Ohioan, still I perceive many of our state's shortcomings. We do everything fairly well but nothing exceptionally well. For instance, statistics show that there are more colleges of learning in Ohio than in any state of the Union, or for that matter in the world.** I believe the number is 50. West Virginia has 9. Yet what college or University in Ohio has the national ranking of West Virginia in scholarship or athletics? For the past ten years, West Virginia's football team has been rated among the best ten teams in the country. In 1919 and 1920 they drubbed Princeton, Colgate, Dartmouth, Pittsburgh and Washington-Jefferson, (this the heydey of the great Rodgers) and later in 1923 and 1924, under Dr. Spears, they went through two seasons undefeated. Match this, Ohio.
H. H. MILLS
Cleveland, Ohio
Fable
Sirs:
. . . Every week I read LETTERS with interest, and have a great laugh at all the advice you get without the asking. . . .
Do you recall the fable about the old man, the boy and the donkey? They were walking along a roadside when a passerby said, "It's too bad to have that little boy walking, so he was put on the donkey. Soon another passerby exclaimed that he considered it atrocious that an able-bodied boy should ride and let an old man walk. So the old man was ensconced on the beast with the boy. A short distance further on a passerby said quite indignantly that it was cruel for the poor animal to have such a load. So the man and the boy got down and carried the donkey, and as they were crossing a stream, they lost balance and all fell in and were drowned.
MRS. O. G. FISHER
Chicago, Ill.
Indifferent
Sirs:
I have just read your account of the recent "blood and eggs riot" on p. 20 of TIME, Feb. 21, 1927. Were you there? If it were not for my Harvard indifference, I would tell you to cancel my subscription to your damned magazine.
Sincerely yours,
HARVARD '27
Cambridge, Mass.
FROM WGY
From WGY, Schenectady, N. Y., at 10:30 p. m. Eastern Standard Time, each Thursday night are broadcast fifteen questions based on news of the week and specially prepared for WGY by TIME. Also are broadcast the fifteen answers. The U. S. public is invited to "play the game"--i. e. to cry out the correct answers before the broadcaster does. There follow comments from members of the U. S. public.
Useless Question
Sirs:
We listened in on WGY last night and got most of it. The music confuses one and is of no advantage that I can see. Most of the questions are of value. The one about the color of Sealyhams* is useless, it seems to me.
Next Thursday I suggest you refer to the Studebaker 75th anniversary of Wednesday, Feb. 16.
Please keep the music silent during questions and answers.
L. L. PORTER
South Bend, Ind.
Not in Bible
Sirs:
Touching your radio question, "How did Judith, the Biblical character, murder the General Holofernes ?"--Judith and Holofernes are not in the Bible.
W. B. SIMPSON
Huntingdon, Pa.
When King Nebuchadrezzar of Assyria sent Generalissimo Holofernes against the Israelites, the "beautiful and pious widow" Judith, stole to his tent from the Israelitish camp and engaged Holofernes for 96 consecutive hours in a bout of drinking and pleasure. Generalissimo Holofernes dropped off to sleep at last, whereupon hardy Judith cut off his head. The Book of Judith is in the Apocrypha of the Old Testament (King James version); in the Old Testament itself (Roman Catholic version). --ED.
*The sentence: "Many a Cohen, many a Berg, has fallen clumsily down steps, only to arise and sue the owner of the steps for damages."--Ed.
*Not to be found in the Encyclopaedia Britannica.--ED. *Thomas D. Campbell, "Biggest Farmer," President Campbell Farming Corporation, Hardin, Mont.
/-Population: 41. Location: 60 miles northwest from Charleston, in Calhoun County, on the Kanawha River.
**Wrong. Pennsylvania has 62, New York 61, Illinois 56.--ED.
*The question was: "What color are most Sealyham dogs?" And the answer: "Most Sealyham dogs are white."--ED.