The Tariff Curtain

Sir:

In your Nov. 17 Letters column, Robert Varty's advice to reduce American protective tariffs reveals . . . that critical thinking . . . is taking place. Adding weight to that sound suggestion is an article in the same issue on Detroit's Board of Commerce [who propose that all U.S. tariffs be abolished, that there should be free trade everywhere].

Perhaps ... an outside comment may be in order . . . To us the salient point to grasp seems to be that no country, like the U.S., is entitled to expect others to provide a market for American exports unless equal, competitive entry of foreign processed goods is permitted. Your ultra-high tariff has, up to now, blocked this mutual equation . . . Up to the beginning of World War II, this gap was plugged principally by the shipments of gold to Fort Knox, in place of goods. Since the end of the war, the dollar shortage abroad was offset by temporary devices, such as Marshall aid, at the expense of the much overburdened American taxpayer, to whom much credit is due. Absurdity can go no further, because incoming goods into the U.S. could have, and should have, met the difference.

W. H. HARRISON

Toronto, Canada

Sir:

Congratulations to the Detroit Board of Commerce for their recommendation ... It is truly an expression of faith in America's future . . I believe that it is also an expression of true Christianity: the Christianity that willingly passes up the opportunity of greater immediate gain by "protected" groups for the ultimate enrichment of the whole family of nations . . .

HENRY Bouw Nyack, N.Y.

SIR: DETROIT'S CHAMBER or COMMERCE MUST GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS THE FIRST INSTRUMENT PRODUCED IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND TO REALISTICALLY SOLVE WORLD PROBLEMS AMONG NATIONS. COMPETITION IS THE LIFE OF TRADE ; MADE FREE BY TODAY'S WORLD LEADERS, IT WILL MAKE THE U.S. GREATER AND PROVIDE ALL OTHER FREE NATIONS HOPE THAT THEY TOO MAY BECOME GREAT BY THEIR OWN ENTERPRISE OWING CHARITY TO NONE . . .

GILBERT J. HUBER RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

The Commandant's Private Eagle

Sir:

Your Nov. 24 cover story on Commandant Shepherd and the United States Marine Corps has captured for the reader an accurate and timely picture of one of the world's few remaining elite, professional military organizations . . .

JOHN A. BUCK Captain, U.S.M.C. Washington, D.C.

Sir:

TIME'S research staff should be brought before the Old Man for Office Hours. Any recruit will have learned the hard way, long before he is given his first liberty in "greens," not to let himself be seen with his collar ornaments "dragging anchor." TIME avoided this common boot mistake, but committed one almost as grave by showing General Shepherd, on the cover, with his eagle looking aft.

I am not going to ask that usual, redundant question of how many letters TIME has received from indignant Marines pointing out this mistake, but I'll bet a three-day pass to an ice-cream cone that the mails from Labrador, Tripoli, Munson, Harlan County, Ky. and other far corners of the globe are just a little heavier this week.

G. G. LANCASTER Dallas

Sir:

The World War II platoon leader you quoted at the end of your wonderful tribute to the Marine Corps . . . didn't have to look behind him, nor do the eagles on General Shepherd's collar ornaments. They too always face in the direction of the enemy. F. L. Weiseman Colonel, U.S.M.C. Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Will Marine Corps morale bear up under the revelation that their Commandant has worn a wrong-headed eagle on the collar of his dress blues since World War I? It was a gift from his parents, who failed to notice the manufacturer's error when they bought it, and he has sentimentally kept and worn the gold & silver insignia--as shown on TIME'S cover--ever since.--ED.

Bosomy Babes

Sir:

In glancing through the Nov. 17 issue of TIME I was shocked and horrified when I glimpsed the full-page color photos of Marilyn Monroe and Zsa Zsa Gabor . . . Certainly you have never printed anything quite so disgustingly sensational before.

NANCY HYNES

College of St. Benedict Saint Joseph, Minn.

Sir:

. . . May I suggest that you stick to classic and modern art and leave the bosomy babes to the cheap magazines?

JOSEPH VINCI

Winooski, Vt.

Sir:

. . . After weeks of moth-eaten and rapacious politicians, shifty-eyed gentlemen of fortune and cadaverous scientists on the front of TIME, what an ecstatic thrill to encounter Claire Bloom's chiseled elegance. Then to open the magazine and hit upon Marilyn Monroe's Sybaritic and carnal curves is enough to reduce the male population to simpering sentimentality. But to turn the page and discover the ravishing and voluptuous contours of Zsa Zsa Gabor is a unique and overwhelming experience for an habitual TIME reader . . .

VANCE A. HOLCOMBE

Corona, Calif.

Bloom's Pay

SIR:

CORRECTION PLEASE. FOR TWELVE-WEEK "LIMELIGHT" STINT, CHARLES CHAPLIN PAID BRILLIANT ACTRESS CLAIRE BLOOM $15,OOO OR $1,25O WEEKLY, ALSO $35O WEEKLY EXPENSES FOR HERSELF AND MOTHER . . .

HARRY CROCKER LONDON, ENGLAND

Man of the Year?

Sir:

. . . The man who for a magnificent moment lifted mankind out of the dark world of fear and distrust into the sunshine of a better land of courage and faith--Captain Kurt Carlsen of the Flying Enterprise.

DAVID H. GROVER

Vermillion, S. Dak.

Sir:

I nominate . . . Harry "Spendergast" Truman--for whistle-stopping Dwight Eisenhower into the presidency.

FAIRFAX H. GOUVERNEUR Baltimore

Sir:

May I nominate Bishop Fulton Sheen? . . . His inspiring talks are helping millions throughout the country . . .

DYMPNA O'CONNELL

Long Beach, Calif.

Sir:

. . . Trygve Lie . . . Few men could have maintained the position of Secretary General of the United Nations and guided it through its first perilous years as he did.

ELIZABETH BLAIR Age 15

Milton Academy Milton, Mass.

Sir:

. . . Thomas E. Dewey . . .

LAWRENCE M. Ross Pittsburgh

Sir:

I know TIME never chooses a Woman of the Year,* for women seldom make big headlines; but as a refreshing symbol of something good and old-fashioned in a cynical world, I'd like to nominate a young woman who is tackling a boring and exacting job with grace, integrity and a charming smile --England's Queen, Elizabeth II.

J. OLIVER New York City

Sir:

At the risk of being thought casual ... I suggest Pogo . . .

MRS. GEORGIA M. COXE

Phoenix, Ariz.

Mauser Hints

Sir:

Gayelord Hauser [TIME, Nov. 17] did not dream up the "organic" theory of gardening, which teaches that all animal and vegetable waste should be returned to the soil, in order to grow the most healthful and best-tasting produce. I am sure Mr. H. does not maintain that the carrot can tell the difference between decaying swifts and fertilizer from Swift & Co. ...

These "organic" screwballs might just be right. Don't scoff yet.

MRS. ROBERT BURKHAM St. Louis

Sir:

Before Health-Hawker Hauser has half a million Americans ripping out their plumbing to install sitz tubs, or warp themselves like pretzels to sit side-straddle in a bathtub, let me point out that physiotherapists have long advocated sitz baths. And there's nothing unorthodox about soaking your fanny and your feet at the same time.

This can be done without refurbishing the plumbing or dangling yourself over the side of a tub. Simply sit with your fanny and feet in hot water. Stand occasionally and rub what seems appropriate with a bathcloth filled with ice cubes, if you want to be real heroic and make it a "hot and cold fanny fling" . . .

EVELYN W. Fox, R.N. Washington, D.C.

Streamlined Salvationist

Sir:

. . . The Rev. Billy Graham [TIME, Nov. 17] has been mightily used by God and is deserving of this recognition from a secular magazine.

As a personal worker in the Seattle Crusade ... I rather question the phrase, "In fits of depression" he "reproaches himself . . . for vainglory." In most instances, human beings are more apt to pride themselves in moments of exultation and joy of success. I believe his reproaching of himself is continual since he realizes, humbly, his insignificance in the sight of God.

ROY LINDQUIST Chicago

Missing the Omnibus

Sir:

In your issue of Nov. 24, reviewing the Ford Foundation's television program, Omnibus, you refer to "the first of a five-part Abraham Lincoln story written by James (The Quiet One) Agee and directed by Documentary Producer Louis de Rochemont." TIME errs. The five parts of Mr. Lincoln were directed by Norman Lloyd. I am the producer of these films. Louis de Rochemont, my brother ... is not connected with the Lincoln series in any way . . .

RICHARD DE ROCHEMONT New York City

P:TIME apologizes for not giving Director Lloyd his due and for confusing the brothers De Rochemont.--ED.

*TIME'S 1936 choice: Wallis Warfield Simpson. In 1937, TIME'S Man and Wife of the Year were Generalissimo and Mme. Chiang Kai-shek.

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