Moody on Muscles

Sirs:

I read in TIME in the article telling of the work of Dr. Bess Marguerite de Varel Mensendieck, that tennis players resemble the giraffe! In many years, I have seen only one or two giraffes on the court; none at Wimbledon. .

Tennis is one of the most graceful of games in its movements, and in its rhythm. It teaches the player to stand properly, because it encourages poise and balance. People who have played much tennis walk in a smooth and cat-like manner. If there is any excessive muscular development, it is because the strokes have been done incorrectly, and strain has been imposed unnecessarily upon muscles not prepared for it.

I saw in the article that my "strong right arm" was scorned. I do not care, nor would I mention it but for the fact that it conveys an erroneous impression of the game. Actually the difference in the size of my left and right arm is so slight as to be scarcely noticeable. Therefore it would seem that the casual player would run little danger of losing his muscular symmetry in the pursuit of tennis.

Even if there is some special development of muscle in sport, it is interesting to see, and certainly not unattractive. Muscles trained for a purpose have more character than those developed only for appearance.

When the search is on for perfection, it would seem illogical to ignore purpose.

HELEN WILLS MOODY

San Francisco, Calif.

Old Screwball

Sirs:

Space in TIME occasionally given over to Jazz is all right, but not always well informed. For instance in the current issue there is quite a piece about a piano player named Raymond Scott, who has recorded, among others. Powerhouse, Toy Trumpet, Reckless Night Aboard an Ocean Liner. Also about another musician who will make Merry Widow on a Spree, Dizzy Debutante, Lullaby to a Lamp Post, Ode to an Old Coat Sleeve.

I think the man or woman who wrote the piece might like to know that at least ten years ago my good friend Hoagland ("Hoagy") Carmichael wrote tunes titled Hell on the Mayflower, After I Called You a Wheel. There were others in the same genre, but these are enough to show that this screwball kind of number is not new. And I'll bet Hoagy's are better, sound unheard. . . .

JOHN O'HARA

New York City

A succession of eccentric melodies played in two-four time, such as Raymond Scott composes and records, is indeed not a brand new musical form. TIME did not say it was. TIME said the Scott compositions, and the volume, variation and finesse of the Scott Quintet, were "remarkable."--ED.

Dempsey's Shiner

Sirs:

Inasmuch as I have never yet seen a published photograph of a prizefighter (successful or otherwise) with a black eye, I can't help wondering how the neat shiner donated to Editor Anderson of the Drake University Times-Delphic by Ellis Bergmann and featured in TIME of March 23 compares with the work of a professional "closer of eyes," say the shiner Tunney hung on Dempsey in Philadelphia in 1926.

It has always seemed to me that a picture taken of a fighter at the end of a fight is more newsworthy than a posed photo showing him sleeked, shaved, unmarked and I never could understand how Jack Dempsey, with his penchant for collecting black eyes in matched pairs always managed to put off the "boys with the cameras" until the shiners had disappeared. . . . L. BERGAN

Cincinnati, Ohio

Dempsey's willingness to take punishment while he forced his openings earned him more than the average fighter's quota of black eyes. In 1926 he cheerfully allowed his Tunney shiner to be photographed (see cut).--ED.

Motorists in Mississippi

Sirs:

Only a glimpse of the hijacking of motorists in Mississippi is disclosed in the letter of James Blackton (TIME, April 19, p. 4). That State probably has more ways to mulct the motorist than any other.

In Hancock County, where Mr. Blackton says he was shaken down for $8.05, a county tax of 3-c- per gallon is imposed upon gasoline. In only a few States are county gasoline taxes imposed, but Hancock County is at the top of the list with one of the highest taxes of its kind in the U. S. To make matters worse, the county does not use its gasoline-tax receipts for road building, but devotes them to miscellaneous purposes. The Mississippi State tax is 6-c- per gallon, although most State taxes are only 3 -c-or 4-c- per gallon. On top of that there is a Federal tax of 1-c- per gallon, making a total direct tax on gasoline sold in Hancock County of 10-c- or about 100% of its wholesale price. To add insult to injury Mississippi imposes a State sales tax which does not exempt the already heavily taxed gasoline, as is the practice in almost all the States having sales taxes.

In addition to those direct taxes on gasoline in Mississippi, distributors must pay license fees up to $250, depending upon the size of their storage tanks, and retail gasoline dealers pay license fees up to $15 annually for each pump, the amount depending upon the size of the municipality.

When a motorist in Hancock County spends $1 for motor fuel, he gets about 50-c- worth of gasoline and 50-c- worth of taxes.

Excessive taxation of gasoline in Mississippi has stimulated bootlegging and tax evasion on a scale unequalled in few other States. The law permits refunds of taxes on gasoline used for non-highway purposes. Anyone in the know plays the refunding game. It has been estimated that fraudulent tax refunds in the State have been running from one to two million dollars a year. When Joe Keith last May, as assistant motor vehicle commissioner, started a drive against the tax dodgers, he cut down refunds by $68,000 a month, or over half a million dollars for the last eight months of the year. The saving should run better than $1,000,000 this year.

It is, of course, unnecessary to point out that such tax evasion makes the burden of the honest motorists heavier and robs them of millions of dollars worth of roads. Fortunately, Joe Keith is doing a good job towards cleaning the mess up, but the only way that the tax dodgers can be routed is for the legislature to eliminate completely all refunds.

Motorists of the State suffer further by the inferior gasoline as taxes encourage bootlegging. For example, an unscrupulous dealer in Hancock County might mix kerosene with his gasoline, and thus avoid a considerable part of the State and county taxes amounting to 9-c-. The amount he would avoid would depend upon the extent of the adulteration. . . . All Mississippi motorists pay plenty for their gasoline. Some pay a lot more than they think. CAL LEWIS

Ampere, N. J.

Pearly & Golden Gates

Sirs:

For the racket of the officials of Bay St. Louis, Miss., complained of by James Blackton of

Hollywood, Calif, he and other victims may well be burned up. It is gratifying, however, to hear of Californians getting a dose of their own medicine. Only travelers to California know of the insults with which they are greeted when they approach the borders of that State. Under the guise of quarantine regulations, motorists are stopped, their persons and cars searched and are generally treated like smugglers or undesirable aliens entering a foreign country. . . .

Because the State of California permits such vicious practices after spending millions of dollars in advertising to bring people to their "Paradise," and then subjects them to such malicious practices, many travelers who would have attended the dedication of the San Francisco Bay Bridge late in May are passing it up in protest. Thousands feel that if Californians want to make it more difficult to get to the Golden Gate than to get through the Pearly Gates, they would probably prefer looking at the Golden Gate all by themselves to banking tourists spendings.

F. D. MAYER

Attorney at Law Lebanon, Ore.

Sirs:

Regarding James Blackton's letter in TIME.

I have spent the winters for the past six years in and about Bay St. Louis, and have never paid such a "toll" nor heard about such; and I am acquainted with people who would be kind enough to inform me of such a "toll."

In other words, by my information, what Mr. Blackton has to say is not correct. Why give a beautiful city and State the proverbial black eye?

BETTY FOGG

Chicago, Ill.

Monument v. Trees

Sirs:

Had Thomas Jefferson designed his own memorial, it probably would not have been much different from what John Russell Pope has created. Jefferson was a great admirer of classic architecture and was responsible for the "classic revival" which for the first time put America artistically in the van.

No other style could be used for the monument Pope has developed, which will be beautiful a thousand years hence. "Modern" will not do for such an enduring building as the style is still in its swaddling clothes. We hate to see the cherry trees moved, but their existence can only be an iota of time compared with the monument's existence.

VICTOR H. STROMQUIST Architect

Chicago, Ill.

Appreciation

Sirs:

I would like to be one of the first to thank you for your story covering Preston Bradley's 25th Jubilee [TIME, April 26]. Although I've never had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Bradley I've listened with great interest to his Sunday broadcasts off and on for many years. With the possible exception of Mr. Roosevelt and the late Huey Long he has more power, more "radio personality" than any public speaker I've heard.

Two winters ago my brother and myself were hunting rabbits in Central Illinois for a living. We would leave home early in the mornings and return late--but on Sundays the rabbits in the vicinity lived on borrowed time until we had heard Mr. Bradley's sermon. I have no greater respect for the mind of any man than I have for this lover of mankind. Although I'm not religious myself the precepts of this minister could inspire nothing but elevating thoughts and love for one's neighbor. I believe his capacity for doing good to be boundless. Thank you again for your excellent story.

HARRY SUYDAM

Detroit, Mich.

Mann's Benediction

Sirs:

I was somewhat shocked when I read your account of Dr. Preston Bradley's 25th anniversary celebration in Chicago. You so completely misquoted me, as to have made nonsense out of what I said. I am wondering whether you can help me out.

The situation is all the more embarrassing because about a year and a half ago when you praised me for having the best Religious School-- Jewish or Christian--in the U. S. [TIME, March 11, 1935], you published a picture of me that I do not possess and that looks like a gangster. I am sending you a good picture and want to tell you just what I did say about Preston Bradley. Among other things I said, "We admire him for the enemies that he has made. It is to his eternal credit, for example, that the Hitler Government would not permit him to enter Germany because of his outspoken passion for humanity and human decency. Since, therefore, Hitler does not like him anyway, it might not be out of place for me to close my remarks with the ancient Jewish benediction: 'May he thus continue to serve even unto his hundredth year.' "... Louis L. MANN

Rabbi

Chicago Sinai Congregation Chicago, Ill.

TIME regrets that it misheard Rabbi Mann's benediction, delivered in Hebrew and English, but still thinks there was good poetry in the TIME version: "May you go on, dear Preston, from strength to strength. May your dust continue to serve even unto your 100th year."

Deft Language

Sirs:

Referring to the Theatre column in TIME, April 26, your reviewer of Babes in Arms does not opine but states authoritatively--"Lyricist Hart--never topped since he observed in 1925, 'beans could get no keener reception in a beanery: bless our mountain greenery home!'--still maintains the lightest touch in the business."

Is it possible your reviewer has been a victim of amnesia since 1925? Otherwise, how could he have failed to consider Mr. Ira Gershwin?

In Mr. Gershwin's own deft language, "I'm seeking phrases to sing his praises." But, better --let him speak for himself to show your reviewer Mr. Gershwin has not only the lightest touch in the business but also the most penetrating wit.

Here are a few of his inimitable rhymes repeated from memory: Girl Crazy-- "I'm bidin' my time For that's the kinda guy I'm" Also "I'd make a Mother like no other, If you could bother to be the Father." Of Thee I Sing-- "If a girl is sexy, She may be Mrs. Prexy." . . . Also "She's the illegitimate daughter of an illegitimate son, Of an illegitimate nephew of Napoleon." . . .

This letter is not meant to be uncomplimentary to Mr. Hart. He is delightfully talented and deserves his "Orchid," but Mr. Ira Gershwin rates a streamlined everlasting "Oscar. . . ."

FRAN PALLAY

Hollywood, Calif.

TIME bows to Lyricist Gershwin, but still maintains that for grace of rhyme and cleverness of sentiment, Lyricist Lorenz Hart has no peer, nominates two more old snatches of Hart, whose present works speak for themselves, to bolster its case: From Bye And Bye:

. . . scheme a while When lonely, dream a while 'Twill only seem a while And love will do the rest . . . Ev'ry cloud just flies on, Love is on the far horizon, You'll be my sweetheart Bye and Bye. From Manhattan: . . . we'll go to Greenwich Where modern men itch To be free; And Bowling Green you'll see With me; We'll bathe at Brighton The fish you'll frighten When you're in; Your bathing suit so thin Will make the shellfish grin Fin to fin. . . . --ED.

Rattlers' Fangs

Sirs:

TIME April 19 p. 62, in article concerning the bigger and better Ringling Bros, and Barnum & Bailey Circus, states, "as a public precaution, the snakes' fangs have been removed or are kept folded back by little buckskin muzzles."

As fangs are teeth, you will please explain how they may be "kept folded back" with the aid of "little buckskin muzzles?"

THOMAS GARTH

Houston, Tex.

Ringling Bros, and Barnum & Bailey's snakes are rattlers whose poison-conducting teeth, or fangs, are rigidly attached to a movable bone. When the rattler's mouth is closed the fangs fold back against the roof of the mouth, spring forward ready for action as the jaws are opened.--ED.

So Simple

Sirs:

May I be so bold as to request this information from Sydney Gregory, [TIME, April 26] who asserts that Thomas A. Edison now speaks to her and who is interested in collecting the $10,000 for a message from him which duplicates a secret message left with a friend. Why was it necessary to write TIME to get the name and address of the friend with whom Mr. Edison left his secret message? Why did she not ask Mr. Edison? That would have been so much more simple in her case--and more convincing.

HOWARD HIGGINS Boston, Mass.

Drake's Plaque

Sirs:

In the issue of TIME, April 19, on p. 18, under the heading "California" you published a photograph which purported to show Beryle Shinn, the finder of Drake's Plate of Brass, indicating to Dr. Herbert Eugene Bolton, of the University of California, the site where the plate was picked up. The gentleman to whom Mr. Shinn is showing the location is not Dr. Herbert Eugene Bolton but Mr. Allen L. Chickering, the President of the California Historical Society and a prominent lawyer of San Francisco. . . .

Since the public announcement of the discovery, the Society has published a book concerning it, under the title, Drake's Plate of Brass. The publication of this small volume brought to light matters concerning which no one had information at the time. It seems that, some years since, Mr. Leon Bocqueraz, with his chauffeur William Caldeira, were hunting at the Laguna Ranch, near Drake's Bay, close to Point Reyes. Some place near the Laguna Ranch Caldeira picked up a metal plate which he showed to his employer. Neither Caldeira nor Mr. Bocqueraz attached any importance to the plate, and between San Rafael and the San Rafael Ferry to Richmond at Point San Quentin, the chauffeur threw the plate from the car. He has since examined the Plate of Brass and declares positively that it is the identical plate which he found at the Laguna Ranch three years since.

This discovery puts a new light upon the finding of the plate by Shinn, for the location of the Laguna Ranch is close to the site where Davidson in his writings has declared that Drake landed.

It may be of interest to know that the sum paid Shinn was not set by him, but by Mr. Chickering, to whom Shinn had left the matter of remuneration.

DOUGLAS S. WATSON Chairman

Publication Committee California Historical Society San Francisco, Calif.

A severe rebuke to Acme News Pictures Inc. which mislabeled its picture of Beryle Shinn showing California Historical Society President Allen L. Chickering where he found Drake's plaque.--ED.

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