The Uneasy Scientists
Sir: True, the uneasy scientist who casts his lot with military-sponsored research is in a dilemma conceived in the unresolved conflict with his military counterpart [TIME, Nov. 1], but must he not hold himself accountable for an equal portion of this deplorable spectacle? Americans have a weakness for making heroes of all who "arrive"--movie stars, football players, etc. It is indeed regrettable that only a few so acclaimed can weather the strain without becoming stage-struck prima donnas. Generals and scientists are not exceptions . . . Many scientists now feature themselves as authorities on international and domestic politics, industrial and governmental organization, finance, family relations, and military security. [They] seem to feel insulted ... if their every opinion, on whatever subject, is not accepted without question and in the same worshipful manner that we accept the "truths" they so fervently pursue in their own disciplines . . .
WILEY THOMAS Knoxville, Tenn.
Humility & Coexistence
Sir:
TIME, Nov. 1, appears at its worst in "Speak Low" when it reviews the books on foreign policy by Adlai Stevenson, George F. Kennan, Charles Burton Marshall and F. S. C. Northrop ... To say that these books are noteworthy "not because they are good, but because they are so bad" reveals a fantastic presumption that TIME knows more about foreign affairs and how this country should act in foreign affairs than these men . . .
EDWARD V. HICKEY W. Newton, Mass.
Sir:
When Kennan, Marshall, Northrop and Stevenson unite in recommending to our country less of arrogance and more of humility in dealing with our sister nations, it was inevitable that TIME . . . would disapprove, and refer to their books as "so bad." Losing TIME's approval, they may be consoled by the reflection that Solomon, Isaiah, Paul and Jesus gave similar counsel to an unheeding world.
BENJAMIN H. KIZER Spokane
Sir:
How egotistical can [TIME] get? . . .
ARTHUR C. EHLERS Shirley, Ill.
Sir: Adlai Stevenson says . . . "We are never going to solve many of the hard problems of the world, but will simply have to learn to live with them for years and maybe for centuries." What an ostrich-like policy--or rather a shocking lack of any!
A. J. MERCIK
Montreal
Soar Note
Sir:
With reference to "The Saar" in your Nov. 1 issue: "German since 1915 . . ." I presume 1915 is a simple misprint. The date should read 1815 . .
THOMAS K. HERRMANN Brussels
P: Misprint.--ED.
The Battle of Detroit
Sir: With automobile fatalities running at an annual rate of [almost] 40,000, General Motors comes up with a 260-h.p. motor in its 1955 models. For what purpose?--so the pinheaded, slaphappy . . . drivers can have bigger and gorier smashups? The U.S. needs high-powered automobiles like it needs a hole in the head . . .
GORDON SMITH New York City
Sir:
Your picture of General Motors' new models and the story on Harlow Curtice--the man responsible for them--brings to mind the observation . . . that no one ever lost money by underestimating the public taste.
PARKHURST B. WOOD Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Sir: Let's not get too starry-eyed over General Motors . . . The highly touted new Chevrolet is a warmed-over Oldsmobile, which, a few years back, was a warmed-over Chevrolet ... It will be a dark day indeed when there is no choice in automobiles--except between one General Motors product and another.
DOUGLAS ROLLOW North Hollywood, Calif.
Judgments & Prophecies
Sir:
Your feature Judgments & Prophecies [Aug. 23 et seq.] gets better and better. In the Oct. 25 issue, Italian Political Analyst Indro Montanelli correctly states the position of Americans v. Europeans [i.e., Europeans are generally irritated and nonplussed by American good intentions] . . . Woodrow Wyatt, anti-Bevan British Laborite M.P., also hits the nail right on the head in "Britain has abandoned its isolationism." The anti-American attitude of the New Statesman and Nation ["Britain should turn to France not the U.S."] is what we expect from the left-wingers, but fortunately is not the view commonly held here . . .
ARTHUR S. HERBERT Northwood, Middlesex, England
Sir:
Just a few passing comments on Professor Hoxie Fairchild's statement ["Religious Affiliation No Proof of Loyalty"--Judgments & Prophecies, Oct. 18]: while the terms "atheist" and "Communist" may not be coextensive, "Communist" and "atheist" certainly are. There is the assurance of Karl Marx that "Communism begins the very moment atheism begins," and the guarantee of Lenin that "atheism is an integral part of Communism" ... In view of Marx's assertion, one is certainly justified in believing that the religious man is not only the better security risk but the better American as well . . .
AURELIAN F. SCHARF, O.F.M. Rome
Punishment
Sir:
Re your Nov. 1 review of The Adventures of Hajji Baba: pun my word "Haydn seek," "Bach yard," "navel bombardment." Oh brother, 23 skiddoo, and oh you kid! Five will get you ten that the movie isn't as cornball as your review.
ARTHUR COLE Toronto
Sir:
Your comments on Tiomkin had me Berlin and my Hart can't stand it. Please ... do not subject me to such Strauss and strain. Music like this is an art; in fact man, the Mozart.
JOHN LOUGHRAN Brighton, Mass.
Sir:
. . . How Korngold can you get? And how heavy-Handeled ?
H. N. KELLEY Chicago
Where There's Smog . . .
Sir: Happily I noted your article and pictures [Nov. 1] dealing with Southern California's No. 1 enemy--smog . . . Beguiled by the false claims, multitudes of health-seekers from all over the country have flocked to California--only to discover that its sunshine is as phony as the cowboys and sophisticates one sees at the corner of Hollywood and Vine. When not obscured by total smog, the sun shines through a haze similar to the one produced by burning charcoal. Its effect on animal and plant life is also well nigh the same.
RAPHAEL SHALITT Los Angeles
Sir:
Smog is just a Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce weasel word. Fog does not enter it. The stuff is just plain smoke . . .
CHARLES OVERILL Corona Del Mar, Calif.
Sir:
SMOG IN THE LOS ANGELES AREA ... IS AN IMPORTANT NEWS STORY BUT . . . YOU PUBLISHED A PHOTOGRAPH OF OUR EL SEGUNDO REFINERY OVER THE CAPTION LINE "DENSE SMOKE, POURING FROM STANDARD OIL REFINERY AT EL SEGUNDO . . ." WHICH SURELY IS AN INDICTMENT OF OUR OPERATIONS. [THE "DENSE SMOKE" IS IN REALITY ONLY HARMLESS WATER VAPOR, [PART OF] THE NORMAL OPERATION OF THIS OR ANY MODERN OIL REFINERY ... AS PROOF WE CAN SUPPLY AERIAL PHOTOS TAKEN ON DAYS OF LOW HUMIDITY WHEN THESE VAPORS ARE NOT VISIBLE . . .
T. S. PETERSEN PRESIDENT STANDARD OIL CO. OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO
P: For the view on such a day, see cut. --ED.
Peale's Appeal
Sir:
Re your fine articles on Billy Graham [Oct. 25] and Dr. Norman Vincent Peale [Nov. 1]. Dr. Peale attracts thousands with seven psychiatrists and his Pollyanna Gospel. What lady would want to "relax and be a bag!" Graham faces the facts of life and preaches the Gospel with hellfire. It wins the respect of millions. I'll take Billy Graham. (THE REV.) JOHN R. STEVENSON Burns Presbyterian Church Burns, Wyo.
Sir:
Dr. Peale's syrupy, Coue-ed Christianity is an increasing disgrace to American Protestantism ... It reduces the Creator of Heaven and Earth to an aspirin tablet. Shame on the National Council of Churches for losing so much integrity in sponsoring this prettified prophet!
(THE REV.) WALTER D. WAGONER (THE REV.) ANDREW ARMSTRONG (THE REV.) ARTHUR SEYDA Northwestern University Evanston, Ill.
Sir:
. . . When is this awful windbag going to collapse and stay collapsed like his poetical "burlap bag"? . .-. With Protestantism cutting up such didoes, no wonder the Catholic Church is gaining ground every year.
MAUDE S. SUMACHER Mandarin, Fla.
Sir:
... I do not think the story treats religion with the respect it deserves . . . Any interpretation of my message that leaves out the name of Jesus Christ completely ignores the source of the power which I am urging people to use in their daily lives. When TIME says that my suggestions as to how to open up one's life to this power "make personal salvation a kind of do-it-yourself project," it misses the very essence of my preaching . . . The statement that I "see in Christianity not so much redemption by suffering as an easy way to rise above sorrow" is a flippant distortion by contrast, where there is no inherent contradiction . . .
(THE REV.) NORMAN V. PEALE Marble Collegiate Church New York City
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