The Man & the Baton
Sir:
TIME deserves much credit for giving public recognition to the greatest orchestra and the greatest conductor in America: the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra and George Szell [Feb. 22].
As a native Clevelander, I am glad the rest of the nation could share such a penetrating insight into the group of which Cleveland is proudest.
MICHAEL STONE
New York City
Sir:
In 1946, I was a member of The New York Philharmonic, and after one rehearsal with Szell, who was guest-conducting at the time, I knew I had to work with him some day. When, two years later, Szell asked me to leave the Met, which I had subsequently joined, to come to Cleveland, I jumped at the chance, even though I loved New York almost as much as I loved music. For to be in on the metamorphosis of a provincial orchestra into the world's greatest (and some of us knew that this would happen with Szell at the helm) was as exciting an experience in prospect as joining a wagon train going to the Oregon country, or taking the Santa Fe Trail to the gold fields of California during the 1850s.
ROBERT BOYD
First Trombone
The Cleveland Orchestra
Cleveland
Sir:
I was disappointed that nowhere in your article did you give a pat on the back to William Steinberg and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
Many of us who heard the orchestra on its recent tour in this area were thrilled with the excellence of the musicians and with the greatness of Mr. Steinberg.
(MRS.) PATRICIA N. SIMS
Toledo
Sir:
Regarding degrees of orchestral discipline: Charles Munch would say to his men, "Messieurs, je vous en prie ..."
Men of the Boston Symphony have said, "He was such a gentleman that many times we gave him much more than he asked for or really deserved."
ROBERT D. SAWYER
Boston
Thanks
SIR:
HOW IS IT POSSIBLE FOR TIME ALWAYS TO GIVE A BETTER REPORT ON TECHNICAL MATTERS SUCH AS MENTAL RETARDATION [FEB. 15] THAN ANY OTHER MAGAZINE? YOUR ARTICLE ON THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE CONCERNING MENTAL RETARDATION IS AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THIS GREAT SOCIAL AND SCIENTIFIC PROBLEM. MANY CONGRATULATIONS AND THANKS.
EUNICE KENNEDY SHRIVER
ROCKVILLE, MD.
McNamara for What?
Sir:
Being controversial is the heritage of all great men like Robert McNamara [Feb. 15] in a world populated with mediocrities. In the dangerous years ahead, no nation will dominate that does not base its actions on facts and reason. Because McNamara possesses outstanding ability to exercise these concepts, I believe he should be seriously considered for the presidency.
WALTON HOWES
Rocky River, Ohio
Sir:
You wasted three pages saying what really deserved only one line: "U.S. Turns Absolute Control of Defense Over to Amateur." How ridiculous!
E. F. LUCAS
Cambridge, Ohio
A Backward Look at Annapolis
Sir:
As a graduate "ring knocker" of the class of 1959, U.S. Naval Academy, I must say that I agree with Mr. Boroff in his criticism of the methods and curriculum at the Naval Academy [Feb. 8]. After almost four years with the Pacific Fleet, I have become acquainted with many officers of civilian-college backgrounds. In this time, it has become evident that the course of instruction at the Naval Academy is lacking in the breadth of its horizon and the depth of its technical preparation.
The immense technological explosion of recent years has had a tremendous impact on the military, both in hardware and thinking. An even greater strain has been imposed on those responsible for providing the fleet with officers equipped to handle all of the ramifications of the space age. The Naval Academy is desperately seeking to alter its teaching methods and curriculum to meet the challenge. Unfortunately, it has not been able to bring itself to break completely with the traditions of the past, when all it had to do was produce a semiliterate officer well versed in gunnery, seamanship, steam propulsion, and the social refinements of an officer's life.
Amidst the howls of those officers (and I am one of these) who insist that an Annapolis man come to the fleet well indoctrinated in the aspects of his job as a seagoing fighting man, let me point out that for years the Marine Corps has been producing professionally sound and inspired young officers--in just six months of intensive training. I see no reason that the academy cannot do the same with a six-month, postgraduate, professional cram course.
J. E. NASH
Lieutenant (j.g.), U.S.N.
F.P.O., San Francisco
Catholic Outspokenness
Sir:
With reference to Catholic University's banning Fathers Diekmann, Kueng, Murray and Weigel [Feb. 22]: it's the same old, old, wearisome story, the clerical club replaces thought.
(REV.) CLARENCE W. STANGOHR
St. Patrick's Church
Clinton, Iowa
Sir:
I would like to congratulate TIME on its exposition of censorship at Catholic University.
Our university is one of the outstanding schools in the country--we even possess a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa--and such a policy is a direct threat to freedom in education and is innately repulsive to us all.
PHILIP J. FARRINGTON ('64)
Catholic University
Washington, D.C.
Glutinous or Not
Sir:
The article on Taiho and sumo wrestling [Feb. 8] was very well done and most interesting. However, I suspect that the author has never actually sampled that fine fare and builder of men called chanko. To my knowledge, it is not beaten into a glutinous mass. If it were, it might be more palatable.
I always found it rather distressing to see the entrails of the chicken floating around in the stew in such an obviously recognizable state, and to be offered the unlaid eggs as the greatest delicacy of the pot.
Your readers might be interested in the sumo wrestlers' recipe for gaining weight. After eating a huge meal of chanko, the wrestlers go to bed immediately and sleep for twelve hours. It is the sleep on a very full stomach that builds their admirable bellies.
Thank you for an article that has made me very homesick for Tokyo and that wonderful sport of champions.
(MRS.) HEARTIE ANNE LOOK
Goleta, Calif.
Anti-League League
Sir:
Re your story on the Anti-Defamation League [Feb. 81: from what I can gather from this article, we shall soon become a nation of faceless, nameless people with no pride in whoever our ancestors may be or no pride in our religion whatever it may be.
Soon we will only wish to be identified with a group when we have done something good, but when something wrong is done by one of our group, we will deny that there is anything such as different religions and colors.
We will soon have to organize a league to defend us from leagues.
DORIS ANN GRESSETT
San Pedro, Calif.
It Takes Guts
Sir:
I am grateful to have been included in the distinguished company of teachers you have labeled "gut" professors [Feb. 22]. It is an honor of which, if I have not been worthy in the past, I shall try to be worthy in the future.
Your insult to my students, however, is a deeply shameful act. I have never had students so eager to learn, so open to new ideas and feelings, so committed to the jostle and delight of real learning; they are a joy to teach. Many stay in school by means of considerable sacrifices. Their hunger for education has already been subverted by the selfishness of their state's legislature and their university's administration. You, however, could gain little from attacking them. If you cannot respect an eagerness for learning, you might at least restrain your desire to injure it.
W. D. SNODGRASS
English Department
Wayne State University
Sir:
Your pointed remarks about the "gut" courses surviving in American universities evoked feelings of nostalgic guilt, but the fact that these courses are now the exception seems to indicate that students have advanced more rapidly than curriculums, and more readily recognize these not altogether disagreeable "guts" for what they are. Further, being able to sit back and just absorb without fear of forgetting is a refreshing change from the more skull-thumping sessions, and can be remarkably conducive to learning. The most "Mickey Mouse" course I took at Stanford was also one of the most informative and enlightening, and in respect to the kindly prof who gave me an undeserved A, I'll be damned if I'll tell you the name of it.
ROBERT L. MOTT
Washington, D.C.
Rosebud is a Rosebud is a Rosebud
Sir:
I am a student from Rosebud, Texas, and attend Texas A. & M. College.
Last fall, you took occasion to downgrade my school. In the Feb. 15 issue of TIME, you saw fit to cut down my home town.
I suppose I should feel fortunate that you do not know the name of my girl friend.
HENRY C. SKUPIN
College Station, Texas
Report Card
Sir:
The article about Taft [Feb. 15] is a splendid one. It is very gratifying that your editors regarded the announcement of our new headmaster as being worthy of this much attention. That the school was presented in such a favorable light is also very gratifying. Although I am, of course, prejudiced, I believe that the article was a very fair one.
I liked the gas-station ending!
PAUL CRUIKSHANK
Headmaster
Taft School
Watertown, Conn.
Call Us Christians
Sir:
We feel your title "The Campbellites Are Coming" in the article on the Churches of Christ [Feb. 15] was most unfair. In explanation, I would like to quote from a letter published in the New Orleans Commercial Bulletin more than 100 years ago:
"You have done me, gentlemen, too much honor in saying that I am the 'founder' of the denomination, quite numerous and respectable in many portions of the West, technically known as 'Christians,' but commonly as 'Campbellites.'
"I have always repudiated all human heads and human names for the people of the Lord, and shall feel very thankful if you will correct the impression which your article may have made in thus representing me as the founder of a religious denomination. [Signed] Alexander Campbell."
Simple Christians today, we still repudiate this name that the bigoted have tried to fasten on us.
MARDELL LYNCH
Taylor Street Church of Christ
Hobbs, N. Mex.
Fitness in French & English
Sir:
Your story about New Frontier nip-ups, and President Roosevelt's requirements for unlucky foreign diplomats [Feb. 15], brought to mind William Roscoe Thayer's account of the dispatch that the new French Ambassador M. Jusserand sent to Paris soon after his arrival in this country during Roosevelt's term of office:
"President Roosevelt invited me to take a promenade with him this afternoon at three. I arrived at the White House punctually, in afternoon dress and silk hat, as if we were to stroll in the Tuileries Garden or in the Champs Elysees. To my surprise, the President soon joined me in a tramping suit, with knickerbockers and thick boots, and soft felt hat, much worn. Two or three other gentlemen came, and we started off at what seemed to me a breakneck pace, which soon brought us out of the city.
"On reaching the country, the President went pell-mell over the fields, following neither road nor path, always on, on, straight ahead! I was much winded, but I would not give in, nor ask him to slow up, because I had the honor of la belle France in my heart. At last we came to the bank of a stream, rather wide and too deep to be forded. I sighed relief, because I thought that now we had reached our goal and would rest a moment and catch our breath before turning homeward.
"But judge of my horror when I saw the President unbutton his clothes and heard him say, 'We had better strip, so as not to wet our things in the Creek.' Then I, too, for the honor of France, removed my apparel, everything except my lavender kid gloves. The President cast an inquiring look at these as if they, too, must come off, but I quickly forestalled any remark by saying, 'With your permission, Mr. President, I will keep these on; otherwise it would be embarrassing if we should meet ladies.' And so we jumped into the water and swam across."
(MRS.) HELENA V. WINTER
Holland, Mich.
This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.