Last Straw
Sirs:
Your allusion [TIME, May 25] to accepters of "A" gasoline-rationing cards as "meek, mild Milquetoasts" made me hopping mad. If cooperation with the Government in a critical situation denotes a lack of guts, we had better dig up Mr. C. Milquetoast's living counterpart to run the war effort. . . .
Aside from the fact that it was an ill-chosen word, "Milquetoast" does not need "meek and mild" as modifiers; it includes those two adjectives, plus.
R. L. HAGMANN
An "A" cardholder
Mount Vernon, N.Y.
Sirs:
For "stay-at-home" entertainment we are going to read TIME'S news items. In the May 25 issue (gas rationing): "... OPA . . . reminded them that they were liable to $10,000 fire and ten years in jail if they had represented their status falsely. They might even lose their cards."
Now that is the last straw!
Bo FREEMAN
Seattle, Wash.
Sirs:
. . . You flayed the chiselers but why make those that try to play the game feel like suckers?
KENNETH P. DAVIS
Alexandria, Va.
Short Memory
Sirs:
... In chronicling the appointment of Mrs. Oveta Gulp Hobby [TIME, May 25] you mentioned her husband, William Pettus Hobby, as being a "former Texas Governor." I am wondering if you didn't "miscue" on that one. Just when was William Pettus Hobby a Governor of Texas? Although I have never been "deep in the heart of Texas," I have kept a fairly keen eye on the political goings-on of the Lone Star State for the past 20 years, and I cannot recall that any man by the name of William Pettus Hobby has been elected Governor of Texas during that time. "Pappy" O'Daniel, James V. Allred, Dan Moody, "Pa" and "Ma" Ferguson, and several others have been elected Governors of Texas during the past two decades, but my frail and failing memory will not permit me to recall a Hobby as having been elevated to that exalted eminence. . . .
FULLER WARREN
Jacksonville, Fla.
> Reader Warren's memory is five years too short. William Hobby became Governor in 1917, following the impeachment of Pa Ferguson, served two two-year terms.--ED.
Ads Praised
Sirs:
Among the many letters of commendation which TIME receives and prints, we are wondering why there is never a word of praise for certain of your advertisements which we have found not only interesting but very instructive.
I refer to such outstanding examples as the one demonstrating the washing of busses, another dealing with electrons [TIME, April 20], but especially to the really wonderful picture entitled STATUE IN RUBBER OF SOMEBODY'S KIDNEY, which appeared as an advertisement for Goodrich Rubber Co. in your issue of Feb. 23. We have used this in our classes in biology at Hunter College and have found it very helpful in demonstrating the structure of the kidney.
We are, therefore, most grateful to you, to Goodrich Rubber Co. and to others, and only wish that more advertising were conducted on the high level which they have established.
FRANCES A. HALLOCK
Professor, Clinical Pathology
and Bacteriology
Hunter College
New York City
Non-Violent Resistance
Sirs:
I am glad to read (TIME, May 25) the only fair appraisal of "nonviolent noncooperation" outside of the pacifist press today. As you indicate that non-violent resistance might be a "considerable obstacle" to the Japanese invasion of India, some of us wish that the technique might be more seriously considered in preventing any possible Japanese or German invasion of this country. There are a number of conscientious objectors in this country who, if our Government declines their services in forming an American "army" of non-violenteers, should like to be allowed to go immediately to India to help, if Gandhiji* desires, with his nonviolent resistance. . . .
HOMER A. JACK
President
Midwest Fellowship of Unitarian Pacifists
Chicago, Ill.
Sirs:
. . . Regardless of what many in the West think about "passive resistance," it seems clear to those who have seen the great non-violent direct-action movements in full swing that the Indian people under the leadership of Gandhi, have in fact, developed a real weapon. . . . Why then don't we realize that India for 30 years has been using and developing techniques in mass noncooperation . . . or to put it in good old American terms, a nationwide sit-down strike. History has shown us that when great numbers of people have refused to cooperate with tyranny that tyranny failed.
We are at this moment engaged in shipping men and military supplies to our ally India ... to assist in a military defense of India. My suggestion is this: why not also assist India in the method that she herself has chosen; namely, by sending men to join in her non-violent direct-action campaign? . . .
The question naturally arises, what group of men in the United States would be willing to face the Japanese armies unarmed, in the Indian non-violent method? By the end of this year, I am told, there will be 5,000 men in Civilian Public Service (conscientious objector) camps. These men have been telling America that they don't believe in killing; that they have another method of meeting aggression and hate. What a chance to call their bid! . . .
BRONSON P. CLARK
Glen Mills, Pa.
No Snoozers
Sirs:
I would not bother you with so small a matter were it not for the fact that I know there has been considerable reaction on the part of Netherlanders here to the small item which appeared in TIME, May 11, entitled "Snoozers, Awake!" I, myself, lived in the Indies for 15 years and can vouch for the inaccuracy of the statement that "the Japanese 9-5 working day will be from 2 to 4 hours longer than the Dutch."
The office hours in commercial offices has always been from 8 to 5 and in government offices from 7 to 2, and the Department of Economics adhered to the commercial schedule of from 8 to 5. ...
N. A. C. SLOTEMAKER DE BRUINE
Director
The Netherlands Information Bureau
New York City
Not Out
Sirs:
Your story about Hedda Hopper (TIME, May 25) gives the impression that my good friend John Chapman was dropped along with his column. Hedda Hopper's gossip may have triumphed over John Chapman's facts, but I happen to know that the New York Daily News is not dropping fact fancier John Chapman. I think Chapman readers would be pleased to know this fact.
WILLIAM DEVER
Los Angeles, Calif.
> Reader Dever should read more carefully. TIME spoke of Chapman's column being dropped, not Chapman. At the time, Chapman did not know and the New York Daily News would not say what his next assignment would be.--ED.
Teuton Toutin'
Sirs:
Re P. G. Wodehouse (TIME, May 25):
Having never been able to exactly clasp Bertie Wooster and Jeeves to my entertainment bosom, I can ALMOST understand why, after spending long years with them, Old Plum might be going for a little Teuton toutin' around Berlin--just for comedy relief!
DOUGLAS R. DEEBLE
La Mesa, Calif.
Rogues' Gallery
Sirs:
In TIME [May 25] you depart from your usual independence of judgment when you side with the mob in general, New Dealers in particular, and "pinko" New Republic in very particular in condemning and ridiculing members of Congress. Out here where we like to think things through instead of becoming hysterical, the members of Congress look as good to us or better than the members of the packed Supreme Court or the screwballs making up the "New Deal" administration--e.g., Harold Ickes, Henry Morgenthau Jr. and the like. . . .
Out here we still remember that there are supposed to be three branches of the Government. Just what is the difference between packing the Supreme Court and packing Congress as you and the pinkos suggest? Sure we want to win the war. Out here we'd want to win it even if we knew that we were dead wrong. . . .
Come, come, TIME. If any branch of our Government is entitled to gasoline, it is the people's branch--the Congress of the United States.
W. C. ANDERSON
Clarkston, Wash.
Sirs:
May I congratulate you on your statement about the Congress. It shows, I think, a keen, penetrating insight into one of the basic problems of our time. If it is at all possible, I should like to have a hundred reprints of that statement for distribution among my congregation and as a basis for discussion.
ISAAC KELLEY BECKES
Pastor
Humphrey St. Congregational Church
New Haven, Conn.
Sirs:
. . . God help America if these "comics" should be asked to guide her destiny. . . .
TERRY DINKEL
Jackson, Tenn.
Sirs:
Never have I seen a more discouraging sight than the rogues' gallery. No wonder it was said that the Rev. Phillips [Ze Barney T. Phillips, chaplain of the Senate]" used to look at Congress and pray for the country!
How did they get there?
HARVEY F. JENKINS
Pittsburgh, Pa.
> How? We the People voted for them--or failed to vote while the political machines did.--ED.
* The name he himself prefers--according to Nehru--rather than the addition of Mahatma. The suffix ji conveys an idea of simple respect in Hindustani and does not mean, as some might think, "dear little Gandhi."
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