Disaster Area

Sir: Let there be no doubt the recent events at Cornell [May 2] were a disaster for American education. A liberal school's administration and faculty, in a dramatic gesture given worldwide attention, bowed to the unreasonable demands of an armed minority led by a demagogue who threatened leading administrators and faculty members over a university-owned radio station and backed by a foolish mob of guilt-ridden, self-flagellating whites finding "institutionalized racism" behind every bush.

For the past 16 months, Cornell's administration has rewarded coercive methods every time they were used. Last year, a visiting economics professor was subjected to an investigation of allegedly racist remarks he had made in class, after black students took over an economics department office. This year, demands for an effectively black-controlled Center for Afro-American Studies were met following a series of semiviolent and disruptive demonstrations. Months later, three alumni recruiting for the Chase Manhattan Bank were ousted by administrators faced by an angry and destructive mob. No students have been punished for such acts.

It is no accident that men of moral integrity teaching politically sensitive subjects are afraid to teach at Cornell. Allegedly racist statements have been the object of coercive methods here before--and undoubtedly will be again. College administrators and faculty members all across the country will soon learn the term "racist" is now more a catchall than "Communist" was in Joe McCarthy's heyday.

PAUL A. RAHE JR.

The Cornell Daily Sun

Ithaca, N.Y.

Sir: Do you really believe that there is a radical conspiracy taking over our colleges? The way we view the situation in which there are over 70 demonstrations on American college campuses in one week is that perhaps the situation is unstable. Perhaps the college communities which are the intellectual centers are also the most perceptive about the problems facing the U.S. and realize that without some changes now American society will deteriorate. When there is so much unrest on the college level and in the cities over racial problems, urban problems and the war in Viet Nam, perhaps it is time to act to alleviate this unrest rather than stifle its expression so that it will merely erupt later.

25 CORNELL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Ithaca, N.Y.

All That Jazz

Sir: Your admirable Essay, 'The Dilemma of Black Studies" [May 2] ignored, curiously, the one element of black culture where the record of black accomplishment is not only glorious but also widely recognized and widely acclaimed: music. It is, moreover, the one area where black culture has proved both irresistibly attractive and easily accessible to whites. "Jazz," writes Gilbert Chase, "may be regarded as our most original and far-reaching contribution to the world's music."

But you would never know it from a look at the curriculums of our nation's 350-odd university conservatories. Although there are upwards of 400 university jazz bands, most of them exist outside the approved educational curriculum and do not earn degree credits for participation.

This illustrates vividly, I think, your Essay's point that "white-oriented courses more or less ignore Negro contributions to American history and culture," that they constitute "whitewashed education." There is no discrimination against the black student who wants to play Beethoven concertos or sing opera. But for instruction in jazz or rhythm-and-blues --nothing doing! That this discrimination is cultural rather than racial is demonstrated by the fact that the young white jazz musician is no better off.

Here is both tragedy and travesty. An Afro-American musical idiom is today not just the music of the Negro young. It is the music of the young of all colors --and not only the young--around the world. This is an area where black and white meet on congenial terms and where the vitality and high quality of the Negro contribution is unquestioned. It is an area of great opportunity--and because the opportunity is so great, it is also an area of inescapable responsibility.

HENRY PLEASANTS

London

Bridge on the Road

Sir: I applaud your unbiased report on Charles de Gaulle's resignation [May 2], which is a vital moment in European history. First, we should thank him because in spite of obstacles, dangers and pressures he knew the right thing to do at the time it had to be done. In this way, an extraordinary man, a remarkable politician of great maturity retired into a past chapter of French history, and a new page is opening.

His defeat, however, is not the end of the road, but a bridge to a European integration. His departure will no doubt make progress in revitalizing the American-European Community. As such, all Western nations should support France to help replace despair with opportunity until good becomes better, and better becomes best. This is the only guarantee toward a monetary, economic and political stability in the Western world.

ROGER DE BORGER

Antwerp, Belgium

Sir: The old man has done it again! Here is my theory: De Gaulle wants Pompidou as his successor. He requests Pompidou to resign, with this idea in mind, allowing Pompidou to disassociate himself from the most unpopular problems faced by De Gaulle. Pompidou's figure is kept well within the public eyes. De Gaulle calls for a referendum. If he wins, he can nominate Pompidou as his Premier and successor. If he loses, Pompidou is not hurt by the results and is still the most prominent candidate to succeed De Gaulle. One way or the other, as on almost every occasion, the old man has his way.

HORACIO CASATI

Santiago, Chile

Now and Then

Sir: When I witness Republican leaders [May 2], such as Finch and Nixon, supporting, and even augmenting types of public assistance which the G.O.P. would clearly have labeled "Communistic" 25 years ago (some yet do so) I have renewed faith that the world is becoming a more humane place. However, I wonder if these programs, and the people they were designed to help, might not be much better off today if the Republicans had come to their aid earlier with the same verve and enthusiasm.

ROGER YEARDLEY

Cincinnati

Sir: HEW Secretary Finch's comments and actions as reported in your cover story clearly indicate that the Administration considers the private sector one of our nation's greatest untapped resources. If effectively stimulated, nonpublic contributions to our social welfare, national priorities and quality of life will strengthen and complement the overpowering dictates of our Federal Government. However, two major obstacles must be recognized and surmounted: Too much private talent is wasted raising and seeking funds that are insufficient to finance more than token efforts. Federally determined priorities and policies refrigerate the enthusiasm of volunteers for programs that they are unable to direct.

A massive response from the private sector could be stimulated by allowing each corporate and individual taxpayer to pay a percentage of net federal income taxes to a recognized charity, educational institution, local government or authority, instead of the U.S. Government. Such a payment would give the taxpayer direct control over some portion of the taxes he has to pay anyway. Instead of rifled tax incentives to private industry that would create more administrative bureaucracy, the result of individuals and corporations being encouraged to pursue goals of their own choosing will be an improved national morale.

ROGER E. TITUS JR.

South Dartmouth, Mass.

Sir: To those who are camped on the White House steps, waiting for the torrent of decrees from Claudius Nero Tiberius Nixon, I offer a soothing balm. Nothing is coming forth. Nothing at all. The Republicans are in. Nothing came forth from Coolidge, from Hoover nor Eisenhower. You see, the object is not to solve major problems but to make certain that a healthy climate prevails for big business and that nothing jars the stock market. Relax.

Mind if I tell you the ending? In the last reel, the Democrats rush in and get blamed for starting the war and spending the money it will take to straighten out the mess.

JOHN R. MCNAMARA

Norristown, Pa.

A New Isolationism?

Sir: The Harris poll on "The Limits of Commitment" [May 2] indicates more than just a "mood of caution" on the part of the American people toward our military commitments. In the atmosphere of an unpopular, distant and costly war, the American public appears to be retrogressing into the predictable and dangerous mood of isolationism. Public sentiment that "others ought to solve their own problems" and that the U.S. should pull back into an "extremely limited orbit of protection," is as shortsighted as the feeling that the physical proximity of a threatened country be the determining factor in helping to defend it.

While the Harris survey did bring out some valid points, such as the desire for defense commitments in conjunction with allies, these were negated by a corresponding reluctance to unanimously defend even our staunchest allies and by the fact that such plans are unrealistic because the rest of the free world shares our noninvolvement attitudes and is in fact highly dependent on us. Although there is no satisfying answer to the dilemma thus created, it is disappointing to see the lessons of history go unheeded, and that many of us still look for the easy way out in a complex world.

LEON SEGAL

The Bronx, N.Y.

Springing the Trap

Sir: The article on Erwin Tichauer and "A Better Mousetrap" [May 2] was very interesting. However, I hope the ideas described in the article are not representative of Mr. Tichauer's best thinking. There are problems with his ideas:

> The changed handle on the shovel does not reduce the lifting strain and may in fact place more requirements on the critical left arm. I would suggest a smaller shovel as the best way to reduce heart strain.

> The three-legged ladder puts one farther away from his work than an equivalent height four-legger. Furthermore, that top step will be very narrow and that's where most people stand.

> The side-hinged oven door eliminates a work platform for the housewife, puts spills on the floor instead of the door, and increases the possibility of arm burns. Why not a door hinged near the bottom that will slide part way in after it is opened?

> The raised and moved electric skillet dial is more likely to catch on a sleeve or be bumped by the arm, upsetting the skillet as the cook attempts to turn or place something in it. Why not just incorporate a twisting section into the handle similar to the gas control on the handlebars of a motorcycle?

> The phone dial: try dialing, particularly the higher numbers, and see if the hole is not best. Why not just make the dials larger with bigger holes?

JACK L. RIVKIN

Manhattan

From Red to Black

Sir: TIME erred in reporting that Atlantic Richfield Company's earnings fell in the first quarter of 1969 [May 9]. To the contrary, Robert O. Anderson, chairman of Atlantic Richfield, announced at the annual meeting in Chicago on May 6 that net income for the quarter rose 7% to $58,763,000 from $54,957,000 in the like period of 1968.

RANDAL W. REED

Financial Vice President

Atlantic Richfield Co.

Manhattan

Be a Sport

Sir: I was amused by your article on Beate Uhse's West German "sporting goods" stores [May 2]. But no wonder the poor gal doesn't try to sell her wares here. She would be hauled into jail on her first day, while next door an American sporting goods store, selling enough guns to kill every cop in Chicago, would be within the law.

Bring Beate over. What this country needs is a little more sex and a little less violence. Sex is a lot more fun!

MRS. CHARLES TYBURK

Glen Ellyn, Ill.

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