Prayer & the Court

Sir:

The Supreme Court decision barring prayers in public schools must be accepted as final, short of a constitutional amendment.

Why not have in the public schools a daily period of silence, one or two minutes in length, during which time the children would be previously instructed to think over their actions and accomplishments of the previous day, and, if they so wished, to silently say a prayer that they will act right and try to improve during the coming day.

Such self-examination is to be cultivated in children. No one can be perfect, but merely thinking of ways to improve oneself with the help of God (if you believe in a God) is a step in the right direction.

MATHIAS R. KONDOLF Holcomb, N.Y.

Sir:

The New York prayer seems to be stripped of all mention of anything that could offend any Christian denomination, the Hebrew religion or, for that matter, Mohammedanism, Confucianism, Buddhism, or any other. It is a simple recognition of the fact that there is a superior intelligence and power that governs this universe, whose blessing we ask.

If the Supreme Court is the ultimate repository of what is right or wrong, legal or illegal in this country, then more than ever we had better ask God's blessing and help. HAAKON B. GROSETH

Chicago

Sir:

In the foamy wake of public opinion bobs a bell buoy of truth. Perhaps this decision will elucidate the obvious: 1) that the U.S. is not a "Christian" nation; 2) that the slogan "In God We Trust" is probably also unconstitutional; 3) that attempts at blanket religion are encroachments upon the freedoms of every human, Christian or nonChristian.

Thank the court for insight.

CHARLEYE WRIGHT Baylor University Waco, Texas

Sir:

Regardless of the fine points of interpretation, this Supreme Court ruling abolished something fine and positive.

I see this as a direct accomplishment of the world Communist conspiracy, and my faith in my country's ability to withstand the pressures has had another shattering blow. I hope the matter 'is not irreversible.

ROBERT H. KOENIG Cambria Heights, N.Y.

Sir:

The Supreme Court ruling on prayers in the schools should not come as a blow to anyone. It appears to be a completely logical step in our religious demise. What is needed is not another amendment, such as that proposed by Senators Stennis and Robertson, for such an addition to the Constitution would indeed be an inadequate bandage for such a large sore. We must redefine the First Amendment and do away with all of this "separation of church and state" nonsense.

JAMES A. PARIS

Cleveland

Sir:

The attacks on the First Amendment by certain members of the Congress should arouse apprehension in every responsible American. Let's not tamper with our most precious possession amid the emotional swirl of a revival meeting.

S. C. WOODWORTH Ann Arbor, Mich.

Sir:

It is inspiring that Congress found time in a rushed and often fruitless session to come out for God. Pressing legislation may be complicated and expensive, but God, like antiCommunism, is simple enough.

And think of the votes in November.

MICHAEL L. GLENN New York City

Vanity in Blue

Sir:

I read with interest your perceptive article on Mr. Goodman's Leningrad performance of the Rhapsody in Bine, in which I was soloist [TIME, June 29]. I would like to say that unfortunately I had no time to "brood" at the auditorium as I was Milan-bound for my next engagement well before the second half of the program got under way.

I must take exception to the remark that I was "the only unhappy man in the hall." Members of the American embassy, press and band to whom I spoke shared my anger at Mr. Goodman's obvious lack of interest in making this performance of the Rhapsody a success. Indeed, after our rehearsal I would have canceled the performance outright had it not been for the very special circumstances. I might add that Mr. Goodman's sudden decision to stand on the far side of my piano took place at the last moment, while we were on stage for the performance (in the rehearsal he had taken the normal position behind me) when nothing could be done without causing great embarrassment.

Maybe Mr. Goodman does not feel, as I do, that vanity certainly has no place in the cultural exchange where one is playing for one's country as well as one's art. Perhaps, however, he still believes the old saying "One must be seen but not heard."

BYRON JANIS Villefranche, France

Confusa Says

Sir:

May I compliment you on the excellent explanation, in ordinary language, of the confused agriculture support program of the U.S. Government [TIME, June 29].

I have listened to farmers, economics professors, political science Ph.D.s, and sundry others purported to know this skeleton of abundance in our bureaucratic closet from its skin-game out. Never has it been so clearly and dispassionately presented.

CHARLES M. DAVIS Director, Public Relations Western Reserve University Cleveland

Sir:

In the light of this explanation, it would seem that logic should prevail, and appropriate legislation would be enacted to return our farmers to a free market. But then, who in Washington ever heard of logic?

ROGER S. LEAVENWORTH Grand Rapids, Mich.

Sir:

As young farmers, we want to congratulate TIME for its understanding and insight on the farm problem. If the Government would withdraw from the farming business, thus eliminating hordes of Federal personnel sitting in offices and tramping over corn and wheat fields, allow those who are efficient and farsighted to survive, and realize that subsidy is not the answer to the marginal farmers' plight, we believe that farming could once again become a self-supporting industry.

MR. & MRS. EDWIN BRUBAKER Eaton, Ohio

Bali High

Sir:

If TIME'S chesty readership figures are accurate, more than half the knowledgeable women in America were given a wrong idea about bras in the June 29 fashion article.

To correct it: Bali Bras are made by Bali and by no one else.

SAM STEIN Chairman of the Board Bali Brassiere Co. New York City

Down by the New Frontier

Sir:

Your description of the President's Yale address as having more style than substance sums up perfectly the New Frontier and the entire Kennedy clan. Also, I fear, the civilization that produced them.

KARL KLEIN Flossmoor, Ill.

Sir:

I regret to note that TIME classifies President Kennedy as unqualified to deal with the present economic hurricane both from a standpoint of training and temperament. President John Kennedy was no more responsible for the shake-out than a Swiss yodeler is for bringing down an avalanche. Economists knew it was there. They were simply afraid they might start it moving.

W. T. DAVIS Lincoln, Neb.

Sir:

I wonder how many of these businessmen, still clutching bygone myths to their restless bosoms, could have created and built the industrial empires they now manage. Imagine a Vanderbilt or a Morgan whining and sniveling in public about how hard it is to succeed when you have lost confidence in your President. Pirates and buccaneers they may have been, but they had guts and imagination, which are just memories to the crybabies who occupy today's executive suites. Maybe Caroline Kennedy will head up a national drive to get American kids to send their discarded security blankets to our quivering captains of industry--and finance.

MICHAEL ROLLIE JONES San Francisco

Sir: Re Secretary Goldberg's "exercise room," Bobby's handball court and President Kennedy's heated swimming pool, perhaps Economic Adviser Heller could set up a trampoline and our sagging economy would bounce back.

LYDA CARR STOWELL

LINDA L. BYRD

Flushing, N.Y.

Sir:

Re "Big Splash at Hickory Hill," it takes an awful lot of water to fill a 40-ft. by 16-ft. swimming pool, but it looks like we've got enough drips in Washington to do it.

PETER D. KNAUL Milwaukee

Young Composers

Sir:

TIME'S coverage of my appointment as president of Juilliard School of Music [June 22] was appreciated. However, the Ford Foundation-sponsored project at Peabody Conservatory prepares gifted young American conductors, not composers.

PETER MENNIN Baltimore

La Reina in Spain Sir: Your interesting article on Don Juan de Borbon y Battenberg [TIME, June 22] describes Alfonso XIII's English widow, Queen Victoria Eugenia, as the "last surviving granddaughter of Britain's Queen Victoria." There are at least two other granddaughters of Britain's Queen Victoria still very much alive--namely: Lady Patricia Ramsay (daughter of Victoria's third son Arthur, Duke of Connaught) and Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone (daughter of Victoria's fourth son Leopold, Duke of Albany).

WILLIAM F. GABLE Pottsville, Pa.

P:Reader Gable's list is partially correct. There is a fourth granddaughter still living, Princess Beatrice, daughter of Victoria's second son Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, who is married to Don Alfonso, Infante of Spain and Duke of Galliera, and lives in Sanlucar de Barrameda, Spain.--ED.

Sir:

My wife and I were returning from a two-month junket through Spain. We wish to congratulate you on the excellent cover article, which is quite representative of present conditions.

Despite our natural inclination to dislike any kind of dictatorship, mild or otherwise, we must admit after these pleasant eight weeks that the country is run very satisfactorily and has progressed considerably in the last few years.

MAURICE FOGLER Lima, Peru

Sir:

You say El Caudillo defeated the Republicans. You use the word Republicans to conceal the fact that Franco drove the Communists out of Spain and saved all Europe from Red occupation.

Using fallacious terms betrays your contemptible prejudice and bigotry against Spain and Franco. You can write nothing about this nation without smear and vilification. (THE REV.) WARREN C. LILLY, S.J. St. Luke's Catholic Church Lake Worth, Fla.

Sir:

Quite a job, the reign in Spain so sanely to explain. Thanks.

WALTER DUCLOUX Los Angeles

Requiem for a Soldier

Sir:

I was one of 50 draftees assigned to Sergeant. Robert Gardner's platoon in 1951 at Fort Riley, Kans. Gardner was a dedicated soldier: proud, confident, strict and demanding. In 2 1/2 years in the Army, I never met anyone more dedicated to duty and country.

On weekends, when other trainees rested, we trained. In the middle of the night, when other trainees slept, we, more often than not, trained. We began to hate the very sound of his name. But months later, in the hills of Korea, we thanked God for this man and his unrelenting efforts to give us a better chance to come home alive.

Now that Sergeant Gardner won't come home from South Viet Nam alive [TIME, June 22], I and many other men he trained feel a deep personal loss.

ROBERT J. FARBER Chicago Heights, ILL.

I Wont to Hear It Again

Sir:

Several years ago, my mother picked up for $20 an old player piano [TIME, June 22] that seemed beyond repair. She gave it to my father for his birthday and wished him luck. With the help of cut-up babies' rubber pants for the bellows, new felt for the key backings, and an old vacuum cleaner for self-pumping, we now have a fully automated intune player piano.

(MRS.) HARRIET EATON FURST Ann Arbor, Mich.

Sir:

My twin brother and I were eleven or thereabouts at the peak of the player-piano era. At home we listened to young Elman, young Heifetz and Maude Powell on the Victrola, but at Grandma's house there was a player piano. It didn't take long for our little minds to discover that by unwinding the rolls the length of the living room and entry hall and rewinding them in reverse we could achieve a definite departure from approved pianola techniques.

Hindustan was wonderful both ways, but we really cracked the musical sound barrier when we pedaled out the reverse of The Irish Were Egyptians Long Ago.

KIRBY KEAN Hawthorne, Calif.

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