Take as Prescribed
Sir:
Thank you for an objective and most revealing study of the American Medical Association [July 7]. For this closed-shop union to assert that payment of medical bills from a social security check is "socialized medicine" is as nonsensical as to state that payment of the supermarket from a social security check is "socialized groceries."
PAUL W. FERRIS Park Forest, Ill.
Sir:
I do not hear of many contractors set against bigger funds spent on construction, nor of many educators damning bigger aid to education, yet I see many doctors fiercely fighting the expansion of medical services in this country. We can easily double or even triple our medical services, institutions, and related industries by establishing national health insurance as they did in Britain; and by establishing a national lottery, we can cover a large part of its costs, as they do in Ireland. A good idea is a good idea whatever its name and origin.
STANLEY L. BRUDNICKI Chicago
Sir:
Dr. Leonard Larson, A.M.A. President, symbolizes the conflict of ideas and ideals confronting organized medicine, which is seeking ways and means to meet the snowballing cost of better medical care.
Traditionally, our A.M.A. demands free choice of all qualified doctors, with no division of fees. Under our code of medical ethics, he submits his own bill for personal services. And in so doing, our A.M.A. opposes both national fee schedules or any interference with the right of the doctor to set his own price for services rendered.
Dr. Larson has compromised each of these postulates in some degree: he is an eminent pathologist who masterminds a large group practice that pays wages to doctors yet charges patients fees for personal service. The irony is that a pathologist who symbolizes deviations and exceptions to the reactionary attitudes of our A.M.A. now is its president.
THOMAS E. MATTINGLY, M.D. Washington
Sir:
Your article on the American Medical Association is the most accurate and truthful account that I have ever read.
CONNELL H. MILLER, M.D. Sligo, Pa.
Sir:
Concerning your cover story: An apple a day
Keeping the doctor away, Is a remedy condemned By the A.M.A.
HOWARD M. SOLOMON New Castle, Pa.
Knights of Debut
Sir:
My wife declares that the choke collars draped around the necks of the full-maned youths surrounding Anne Ford [June 30] carry medallions with current and potential financial ratings for future easy reference. I say that these appendages are merely decorative come-ons and denote virility in lieu of antlers.
WILLIAM G. BREY Santa Rosa, Calif.
Sir:
To which populous Order do the Knights of Miss Anne Ford belong? The cruciform decoration looks very natty.
J. J. MALAN
P:Cape Town, South Africa If Anne Ford's ushers wore green silk diplomatic ribbons, looped through a gold cross medallion, engraved "Anne Ford--1961." Such medallions are customary at debuts, and make fitting mementos.--ED.
Anderson Aweigh
Sir:
Reports that Vice Admiral George W. Anderson, U.S.N., had been selected to relieve Admiral Arleigh A. Burke, U.S.N., as the Navy's Chief of Naval Operations [June 30] brought to my mind the fact that TIME predicted Admiral (then Captain) Anderson's eventual rise to the Navy's top position approximately ten years ago.
As a Navyman, I realized that it was a long road from captain to CNO. As we now see, TIME'S prediction has come true. I am certain that all Navymen and other Americans wish the admiral well as he assumes those responsibilities of a difficult and important position.
PETER J. KUYPER Chief Warrant Officer, U.S.N. (Ret.) Tucson, Ariz.
P:If Reader Kuyper's memory serves him well. Said TIME, in a cover story on the Pentagon, July 2, 1951: "Captain George Anderson . . . is, according to Pentagon scuttlebutt, 'sure to be made CNO some day.' "--ED.
What Price Glory?
Sir: Sir: With reference to your story "Bonus Bonanza" [June 30], I would like to point out an example to show how unbalanced the supply and demand situation for ball players has become and how it has caused a ridiculous inflation in the "ivory market."
After Babe Ruth established himself as the greatest home-run slugger and gate attraction in baseball, the New York Yankees were able to buy the Babe's release from the Boston Red Sox for $125,000.
Recently, the Yankees are reported to have paid the same amount of money to an inexperienced and untried high school player for just signing a contract.
Question: If inexperienced high school prospects, most of whom fail to make good in the major leagues, are worth $100,000 and up, how much would Babe Ruth be worth if he were playing today ?
WALLY PIPP
Lansing, Mich.
P:Reader Pipp was the Yankee first baseman for ten years, until the June afternoon in 1925 when a headache forced him to leave the game. It was a painful headache. A man named Lou Gehrig took over at first, went on to set a record of 2,130 consecutive games.--ED.
Heloise Hears From the World
Sir:
I am surprised that you would publish something about an ordinary housewife [June 23]. Your broad circulation was confirmed when mail began pouring in by the basketful from Australia, Europe, Japan, Hong Kong and most of the states. For 15 years we have subscribed to TIME but had no idea that it was so widely read. Now we know.
All kinds of questions are coming in. Do I really spray my hair different colors? Yes. It's blue now. Did I dye my grass green? Yes, and sprayed the trees and shrubbery gold, too. Thanks from the bottom of my humble heart for letting an ordinary wife be known to other housewives.
HELOISE CRUSE
Honolulu, Hawaii
Kudos for Quadros
Sir:
Thank you for your very accurate study of the Brazilian situation and biography of President Quadros [June 30].
As a longtime resident of Brazil, I have, like thousands of other Europeans who made this country their new home, witnessed how sadly past, irresponsible administration has affected this wonderful nation.
With President Janio Quadros in office five months only, there is already a completely new spirit reigning in Brazil, and TIME has made an excellent choice in dedicating its cover to a truly democratic leader, who is also the U.S.'s best friend and ally south of the equator.
HANS U. ITA
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Sir:
Your story portrays correctly his character, honesty of purpose, and knowledge of Brazilian problems.
JOSE MARULLO Sao Paulo, Brazil
Sir:
As a Brazilian studying here, allow me to offer you my most hearty congratulations.
SILVANO CORREA Pittsburgh
Sir:
In the Quadros cover, I see five dots in the background. What is their significance?
D. LICHTMAN Newark
P:If The five dots represent the Southern Cross, also seen on the Brazilian President's flag.--ED.
Epilepsy, Past & Present
Sir:
I have just finished reading your article "Epileptics at Work" [June 30], and was surprised to note that you account Mohammed (I suppose you mean Muhammad the Prophet of God) as an epileptic. Is your source infallible? Nowhere in Arab history books is this fact of yours to be found. You might have confused his state when he was visited by the angel Gabriel and summed it up as epilepsy, but that is hardly fair on your part to diagnose it as such, when you probably do not believe Muhammad to be a Prophet of God.
A. TUSSUN ABAZA
Cairo, Egypt
Sir:
I am curious to know your source that Napoleon was an epileptic. I have read a great deal in both French and English and have never found a description of any seizure that he may have had at any time in his life.
The late Arthur Brisbane once printed your same statement, but when questioned he had no adequate reply.
ADOLPHE MENJOU Beverly Hills, Calif.
P: Based on studies of recorded symptoms, doctors have diagnosed the illnesses of certain historical figures to be epilepsy. Among them are Julius Caesar, Napoleon and Mohammed.--ED.
Sir:
My naval discharge reads, "Discharged in accordance with an approved report of a board of medical survey." A naval doctor told me repeatedly that I was no longer a useful member of society. Relatives, friends and well-wishers urged me to keep my secret. Thank you for your article. I'm sure it will benefit all epileptics.
JACK WORSFOLD
Broomall, Pa.
Down, Bob
Sir:
Nothing frosts me more than to hear rich little Bobby Kennedy [June 23] tell me it's wrong to want a bigger television set or car or to earn an extra buck.
As for me, I want all of those things and that's just a portion of my list. Believe it or not, I'm not a gangster involved in organized crime and corruption, but just a lowly wife and mother of three small children.
JANE C. HARRIS
Wichita, Kans.
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