Boorish Dowse

Sirs: Permit me to correct an impression that might be created in the minds of some readers by the ill-natured and silly letter in the June 13 number of Time signed CYRIL D. H. G. DILLINGTON-DOWSE. I am an Englishman of 25 years' residence in London and 20 in the United States, and I know well the insular type of Britisher who writes this strangely inept and grossly unjust attack upon TIME. He is evidently of the kind that nurses a blind prejudice against everything American. I encountered a number of such people during a recent two months' sojourn in London. Logical argument, ratiocination or even statement of proven fact, count for nothing with this type of self-constituted critic. Mr. Dowse's letter is full of glaring errors and stupidities. For example, he alludes to TIME as being "typically American, quaintly ungrammatical." It is obvious that he knows nothing of Amer. or of the study of language, for the English grammar used in this country is far more nearly accurate, and infinitely less crude and vulgar, than that used by the corresponding classes in England. H. L. Mencken proves this point thoroughly in his masterly study The American Language --if, indeed, it needs proving, which it does not. The lowest and "toughest" holiday crowd at Coney Island uses better speech, and far better manners, than the mob at Margate, Blackpool, Brighton or Southend. Mr. Dowse contradicts himself when he refers to "amiable qualities" and then states that the conspicuous examples of "the latter" are too long to rewrite. The oft-repeated and hackneyed objection to "famed," "one," "onetime," and "able," is a poor substitute for criticism, and in any case there is nothing "false" about these terms, nor do they purport to be "fine writing." We know, as all writers (and especially journalists) know, that these words are overworked and unavoidably so, but to stigmatize them as "atrociously bad" is idiotic. Mr. Dowse has evidently not studied etymology or he would know that the word "atrocious" (Latin atrox, "fierce," "truculent") cannot be suitably applied in this connection. Again, he alludes, in a badly jumbled and incoherent sentence, to "the full clutch of circumstance." Apparently he is groping after a line from William Ernest Henley, whom, however, he has evidently not read. I recommend him to study Pope's famous line about a little knowledge. Once more, he uses the term "Yanks," and this in a letter of fault-finding as to style of writing I The exhibition of general ignorance and boorishness in Mr. Dowse's unprovoked affront makes it clear that he himself has certainly not yet learned how to read or to write. The admirably condensed style of TIME is lost upon him. He picks upon a few minor objections and uses them to vent his spleen against Americans in general--the commonest form of logical fallacy; generalizing from insufficient data. He is utterly and absolutely wrong in his statements and implications. I have studied the written and spoken language in England and in America for many years, have sold my writings in both countries and can adduce abundant proof that the average level of culture evidenced and the average quality of grammar used by the masses in America is vastly superior to the corresponding level or usage in England. I repeat, I am a British citizen and I have no prejudice either way, but I trust that none of your readers will regard the grotesque effusion of Cyril D. H. G. Dillington-Dowse as representative of English culture, English critcism or English sentiment. FRANK VINCENT WADDY

Los Angeles, Calif.

Cowardly Dowse

Sirs: Re "Bitter Taunt" p. 2, TIME, June 13, 1927, I write you as one of the humblest of the mighty host comprising the citizenry of the British Commonwealth of Nations. As a temporary resident (and therefore guest), of these great United States of America. As one who served with the Canadian forces in France and Belgium from February, 1915, to October, 1918, in various ranks, from Private to Staff-Captain, Corps Headquarters. I desire to apologize to you, and the thousands who -will have read it, the deplorably tactless, ill-timed, and partially untruthful letter of "ONE" Cyril D. H. G. Dillington-Dowse. . . . A "bitter taunt" indeed! A cowardly taunt. The taunt of one who has forgotten the English Public School Boy's principle of good sportsmanship. The taunt of one utterly lacking the first instinct of a gentleman, "never to hurt the feelings of another, be it individual or nation." I ask you and your readers to laugh at that letter, as the outpouring of a liverish and bitterly disagreeable person. . . . GILBERT TYNDALE-LEA, M. C.

Los Angeles, Calif.

"Fathead"

Sirs:

It is fatheads like Cyril D. H. G. Dillington-Dowse (in TIME, June 13), who break out every once in a while with such profound absurdities, that retard closest friendship between the two English speaking nations.

H. M. TAYLOR

Medford Hillside, Mass.

"Dumb"

Sirs:

That famed personality, Cyril D. H. G. Dillington-Dowse, whose name sounds like a child of Peggy Joyce and reads like the number in a mail order catalog, certainly merits a reply to his letter in TIME, June 13. ...

He ends his letter, "While I was musing the fire burned." If he is as dumb as his letter it must have burned his shoes.

Yes, you can print this letter and if that Dowse person can find another copy nestled among the coals he may read this reply to his English wit. Thank God I am an American schoolboy.

GORDON KENNON

Daytona Beach, Fla.

Dowse Epithet

Sirs: We can forgive all your shortcomings if from your vocabulary you can construct an epithet suitable for the asinine twaddle of one Cyril D * H * G. Dillington-Dowse. C. B. SMITH, M. D.

Montesano, Wash.

Agrees with Dowse

Sirs:

While I do not like the tone of Cyril D. H. G. Dillington-Dowse's letter in TIME of June 13, ... I do agree with some of his sentiments.

TIME'S "Manhattan," "famed," "one," and similar expressions have long annoyed me. Why inform us that the daughter of "famed" brewery-owner John Smith has married "one" Jim Jones, or words to that effect? Why not just call the young man "Jim Jones" and let it go at that? More than likely he belongs to the same social strata of society as the lady he marries. Such terms sound snobbish and affected to unassuming American ears. And they do not sound like the best of English either.

If TIME would drop the use of such words, and would change its "screaming red cover" to one of quieter hue, it would please the more conservative taste of some of its readers. ALICE DRESSER BARTHOLOMEW

Jerome, Ariz.

Mr. Curtis' Daughter

Sirs:

Your statement (TIME, June 13, p. 20) that Mrs. Edward W. Bok is the daughter and only child of C. H. K. Curtis, must have been a surprise to her sister, Mrs. Pearson Wells, who lives at 2410 Burns Ave., Detroit. . . .

WALTER C. BOYNTON

Detroit Editor Automotive Daily News Detroit, Mich.

Mrs. Pearson Wells of Detroit is no daughter but a step-daughter of Cyrus Hermann Kotzschmar Curtis. Se was before her marriage Miss Helen C. Pillsbury, daughter of Mrs. Kate S. Pillsbury, of Milwaukee (both second cousin and second wife of Cyrus Hermann Kotzschmar Curtis). Mrs. Edward W. Bok is the only daughter, only child of Publisher Curtis.--ED. Artist Praised

Sirs:

I miss the covers drawn for TIME by Artist S. J. Woolf. What if he has gone galavanting off on a vacation to Paris, Vienna, Brussels [TIME, May 30] ? Tell him to come home, for he has certainly galavanted enough by now. TIME readers want more Woolf covers, if I am any judge. I doubt if there is another "U. S. artist" who can draw such striking, such lifelike covers for TIME. Artist Woolf should be recalled. . . .

HALSON HARPER

Denver, Col.

Artist Woolf will return in good season.--ED. Davis No Traitor

Sirs:

... In TIME, June 13, p. 11, there is a paragraph called "Corruption" in which the comparison is made between "Caesar and his Brutus, Jesus Christ and his Judas Iscariot, the United States and its Benedict Arnold and Jefferson Davis, and Illinois and Len Small." While this quotation is from a statement made by Representative J. Bert Miller of Illinois, it is repugnant to your Southern readers that the name of Jefferson Davis should be associated with such names as these.

TIME should show better judgment than to publish such a statement as that one. We of the South have accepted Abraham Lincoln for the man that he was. We know our Jefferson Davis. History can show no blot upon his record, and such a comparison as that made by Representative Miller is thoughtless.

T. BENTON GAYLE

Fredericksburg, Va.

Lindbergh for Cover

Sirs: I wonder if you have any idea how much unfavorable comment (to put it mildly) has been caused by your failure to put Lindbergh's picture on your cover. It was bad enough before but this absence, continued even in this week's issue just received, is beyond understanding. Many have waited for today's TIME and your position in this matter will certainly gain you no friends. This world-famous young American is not even (nor has been, I think) inside this issue. Yet Fatty Arbuckle is!! [TIME, June 20] Your covers repeatedly picture people (railroad conductors for instance [TIME, June 13]) whom constant readers of newspapers, magazines and good books never heard of. Many were disgusted when Sinclair Lewis was honored with a cover picture [TIME, March 14]. When one writer protested you replied your aim was to picture persons who were being talked about or words to that effect, it being no indication of your approval. Well, perhaps you not only do not approve of Colonel Lindbergh-- possibly you do not even know he has been talked about! One would think so, even if you did give him a little space once. You give as much or more to persons of no general interest, frequently. I have been a reader: if a subscriber this would certainly end my subscription. For your efforts to be "different" have surely now made you different from the entire civilized world. You could go no further. MRS. L. A. JAYNES

Mansfield, Ohio.

Several Matters

Sirs: In connection with the literary tradition to which H. G. Wells has tied himself (TIME, June 20, p. 26) famed Poet William Blake surely deserved mention much more than Milt Gross or any of the others named, although perhaps, he had not "made money" as they had. Poet Blake not only illustrated his own works, but even engraved them himself. Several other matters have troubled me for some time. In an article on the impending death of Asa Candler (Coca-Cola--by the way I don't know yet whether he is dead) you referred to Atlanta University as the recipient of his benefactions. The reporter undoubtedly meant Emory University, which, although it has no football team, last year sent its Glee Club on a tour of Europe. No mention was made of his equally famed brother, Bishop Warren Candler. This article appeared several months ago, [TIME, Oct. 11]. In a quibble with a reader a year or two ago you justified the term "Fiddler" applied to Fritz Kreisler on the grounds that it was shorter than "Violinist." TIME surely is aware of the subtle value of a word's connotation, and that, whatever else he may be, Artist Kreisler is no "Fiddler." It is, likewise, hardly economical to use a word that invokes subsequent publication by you of two or three corrective letters. W. R. MACLEOD

Washington, Pa.

"Twadle"

Sirs:

If yours is a newsmagazine, as we are told, why not feature occurrences of real news value, why burden your columns with such piffle as the "Porter," pp. 33-34, TIME, June 13? Who is interested in the photograph of George Joseph Warner, who manifestly is only an ordinary porter with no outstanding accomplishments ? . . .

We are not widely traveled but we are sure we know numbers of Negro porters more interesting, fellows who can say "Yassah, Boss" so much more winsomely as to leave no doubt that they average better than the $1.00 per passenger.

Your magazine is becoming a decided disappointment to me, frankly, it does not "stack up" with the other publications of its class that I am taking and I think no additional subscription from me will be forthcoming, at least not until its editors learn to differentiate between "twadle" and matters of real news value.

P. A. TARDY

Bryan, Tex.

Lie

Sirs:

You claim your newsmagazine to be nonpartisan. Why then labor to insult President Coolidge (June 20, pp. 6-7)? A bit of filth flung in 1924, and you have cherished it all this time t Is this news ? And is it not proper to infer therefrom that your claim to be non-partisan is a lie?

Ardmore, Pa. CHARLES PLATT

Blabberdash

Sirs: .

In your June issue of TIME you copied Senator Norbeck's blabberdash taken from Outlook. Senator Norbeck told nothing about the Black Hills worth knowing. He mentions Mt. Harney but he does not say what Gen. W. S. Harney did to the Indians. He does not mention the massacre of Little Thunder, a peaceful Chief who happened to have his camp in the line of Harney's march. He does not mention the Red Cloud war. Nor does he mention the solemn treaties the Government made at different times with the Indians and then violated foully. Nor does he mention that Capt. Fetterman and Custer paid with their lives for some of the atrocities committed against the Indians by soldiers and other whites. Since you copy only what crooked politicians tell you, I will have to stop reading your paper when my subscription expires. Yes, Coolidge will now loaf in the Black Hills, he will fatten on land which by broken treaties belongs to the Indians.

A. C. HORSTMANN

Corona, N. Y.

Bloodgood Was Right

Sirs: The following are extracts from newspaper accounts of the golf classic played at the Oakmont Country Club course this week. . . . "As Armour was about to drive, a woman spectator started one of those noisy motion picture cameras buzzing at his elbow. Tommy stopped his swing at the top . . . asked the woman to observe golfing etiquette . . . but the damage had been done. . . ." "Emmet French put off his funeral until the 15th hole . . . just as he was about to approach, one of those diabolical movie cameras in the hands of some female started to reel . . . his spirit was broken. . . ." Perhaps Mr. Stanley Bloodgood (TIME, June 6) spoke from experience I Undoubtedly Miss ( ?) Rosalie Evans (TIME, June 6) will see that such incidents will be impossible on the fairways of the Illinois Women's Golf Club.-- . . . H. J. HARRISON

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Salute

Sirs:

Once more, TIME, I salute you! (With

apologies to Mr. John Muller; LETTERS,

June 20.) I salute you for your remark about Colonel Lindbergh's picture being

"imperishably engraved" in the hearts of TIME readers.

LEONARD W. SHARKEY

Eaton, Ohio

*Obscene words deleted.--ED. *It has been re-christened Old Orchard Country Club.--ED.