Busses for Bus

Sir: Your Aug. 18 tribute to Bus Mosbacher is long overdue, for he has clearly established his right to the place that Cornelius Shields was forced to vacate after a near-fatal heart attack. The 1958 campaign must stand as Bus's finest season, despite what might happen this fall, for only against great adversity is a man truly tested. Bus did something to Vim and her crew that is rare in the annals of yachting. He took a boat that was hopelessly outclassed by 19 years of technological advances in the field of hull design and breathed a life into her that made Vim the boat to beat. He took a crew of ten men and, with whatever magic it is that certain leaders have, coaxed perfection out of each of them. Bus's defeat at the hands of Corny was proof not that Corny was better than Bus, but only that he was the only sailor in Bus's class.

SPENCER KELLOGG III Sasebo, Japan

Sir: All power to Bus Mosbacher, but knowledgeable sailors will tell you that the America's Cup race proves only that in those tricky airs and waters, we have a built-in advantage. These days there is precious little difference technologically between challenged and challengers, and until the race takes place in neutral waters, it will remain simply a trial of skill between a skipper who has spent his life on these waters and one who hasn't.

STANLEY ABBOTT Miami

Sir: My compliments on an interesting and thorough story. In view of the ever-increasing public interest in water as a recreational facility, it is most appropriate. However, in view of this great interest in sailing craft, I wish to point out an omission in your story that would lead many people to considerable trouble, grief and expense. I refer to your mention of the trim-tab on Intrepid's keel. I am the holder of U.S. and Canadian patents which cover this particular feature of a keel flap and a separate rudder. For the purposes of the 12-meter boats involved in this year's series, no restrictions were placed upon use of the feature. Nevertheless, it is not in the public domain, and its future application remains subject to patent law.

E. G. POLLAK Boston

Sir: We dare you to repeat the cover after the September series.

IVAN L. DENNIS

GRAHAM COLLESS

Marrickville, New South Wales, Australia

Campaign Trails

Sir: Your amazing statement that "The U.S. has guaranteed South Viet Nam's independence" [Aug. 18] serves as a fitting climax to a long series of careless TIME generalities about the war. What we have indeed guaranteed for the South Vietnamese by our intervention is their increasing dependence: For the Saigon generals, upon the U.S., its troops, and its bombs; for the nationalist forces, upon Hanoi, Peking and Moscow. Whichever side prevails, independence will be more remote than ever.

JERRY C. VAN SANT Belle Mead, N.J.

Sir: I am surprised that our reporters and politicians have not recognized the campaign oratory and tactics of the Viet Nam candidates. Since when did we become so holy?

EARL D. FRITSCH Montague, Mich.

Sir: Recommended campaign song for the South Vietnamese elections: Ky for Thieu (And Thieu for Ky).

T. N. NIEDBALSKI Buffalo

Sir: Re your picture caption "Inchon landing, October 1950: Will history repeat?": Hank Walker, who risked his neck to get the picture, and the late meticulous planner, General Douglas Mac-Arthur, who risked his reputation in carrying out the landing, would be pained indeed at your arbitrary postponement of the event. September 15, 1950, was the only date within months when the enormous tides at Inchon, some 36 feet from ebb to flood, crested sufficiently to permit the landing to be made--successfully, as this former Marine can gratefully attest from firsthand experience.

ANTONIO DE GRASSI JR. Tokyo

^ TIME missed the tide.

It's Everybody's Game

Sir: I enjoyed reading your Essay [Aug. 18], "Corruption in Asia." Made me aware of the graft and corruption where I came from, the Philippines. Quite embarrassing to admit and accept the corruption in our government, but it's true. Nepotism in the Philippines is rampant. Compadre system is a way of life.

SYLVIA S. VIZCOCHO Manhattan

Sir: In downplaying U.S. shortcomings, you overlooked the "game" that has frustrated many a young struggling American: the "game" of "it's not what you know but who you know that counts." There are certain clubs to join and certain clubs to avoid. If your father knows J.B., or better, if you are related to J.B., then you can get a job, not necessarily on ability, which allows you to rise faster than the fellow who does not know J.B. This works especially well in our Government--it is a wise man who marries the President's secretary.

DOUGLAS S. DUNHAM Willamette University Salem, Oregon

Sir: In the statement referring to Thailand, you do General Chalermchai Charuvastr an injustice. He did not use "the influence of his office" to "expand his salary." General Chalermchai did not seek office with us. Inter-Continental urged his election to its board as Thailand's Director of Tourism to represent the government, along with the Minister of Finance and other prominent officials. Over the seven years and four months that General Chalermchai has served on the board, his remuneration has averaged less than $1,250 a year--a nominal sum for his invaluable advice and assistance.

JOHN B. GATES Chairman of the Board Inter-Continental Hotels Manhattan

Dear Little Buttercup

Sir: Psychiatrists Schaefer and Hatterer are slightly off in their explanation of why the cult of Judy Garland [Aug. 18] has so many homosexual members. It is not that they "gravitate toward superstars" or else they would surely flock to the Beatles' concerts; and it is certainly not that Judy Garland has "become masculine and powerful." The answer is simply that they identify with Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, poor little unattractive, unwanted Dorothy who eventually had all her dreams come true in the magical Emerald City. You will notice that the majority of Garland fans in her audiences are just about her age, give or take a few years. This is an Ugly Duckling syndrome embodying wish fulfillment--identifying with someone who has succeeded time and time again in spite of being shunned, laughed at and teased. Luckily for Judy Garland, she succeeds even though these would-be Cinderellas almost ruin her concerts with their fanatic screaming.

J. C. GLERUM JR. San Francisco

Sir: The lady is about as masculine as a buttercup--psychiatrists' pronouncements notwithstanding.

JOHN CARLYLE Los Angeles

Mores the Pity

Sir: Re "Hookers' Market" [Aug. 18]: Hats off to the whores of America, who in this day and age give the hypocrites a sense of superiority. But imagine the thousands of would-be whores who are put out of business by the churchgoing, housekeeping mothers who ask no compensation. This is America, where a court will sentence a whore to jail and reward an adulterous wife with all manner of "legal" compensation. The American wife-mother is still the greatest answer to prostitution and not punishment by courts. Whores unite! Marry. This will give you legal sanction. Husbands consider! How many families would live in luxury if the household account were increased $10 per minute for Mrs.'s "indiscretions"?

America, America, how do you breed these mores? The adulteress would not "dirty" herself by accepting money; the whore would not stoop to sending her man off to work all day for wages she can earn in half an hour. A wonderful "market" for attorneys and orphanages and jailers. Corruption in Asia! Indeed!

BILL BALE, No. 77229 State Prison Jackson, Mich.

Peregrine in a Pickle

Sir: In your story, "Swinging Lady" [Aug. 11], you quote me as paying the London Times a compliment on its courageous stand over the Mick Jagger case. This I did. But on the same occasion I also listed many more examples of where I feel the new management of that paper has seriously damaged its reputation and authority. In omitting these criticisms, I fear that your report suggested quite wrongly that I approve of the Times in its swinging reincarnation.

PEREGRINE WORSTHORNE Deputy Editor The Sunday Telegraph London

A Better Trap

Sir: Your article on rats [Aug. 11] reminds me of a method we used at Guadalcanal in 1943. A five-gallon tin open at top was half filled with water. A board served as ramp to upper edge of can. Overhead, and just out of reach (for the rats) was suspended on a string a piece of hard cheese. First try netted 20 as I recall, after that five to seven per night. We seldom, if ever, changed the bait. We used only one unit and continued with this tactic until the chief innovator wearied of the daily interments.

R. TORRISON Alameda, Calif.

Sir: You can rid any premises of rats and mice by putting out a mixture of cornmeal and plaster of paris, two parts cornmeal and one part plaster of paris. This is nontoxic to humans and animals. Since rats and mice are unable to regurgitate after they have eaten the mixture, they will die from an obstipation.

DICK RAMSEY, D.V.M. Odessa, Texas

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