Letters: Dec. 5, 1927

(8 of 8)

Rash Silverman

Sirs:

Let TIME readers use care in testing the statement of Jack B. Silverman on page 44 of the Nov. 14 issue of TIME that "a red-hot poker may be quenched in an open pan of gasoline without causing the gasoline to ignite." As a chemist employed by a large Texas oil company, allow me to point out that many automobiles, overturned, take fire when the spilled gasoline comes in contact with the hot exhaust pipe. Many oil refinery fires are caused by gasoline vapors, as from a blowing safety valve on a still, touching a hot steel smokestack the temperature of which is far below "red heat."

Oil refiners are well aware that petroleum products exposed to the air at temperatures above 700° F. are extremely apt to take fire spontaneously, to "flash" in oil parlance. The temperature of iron glowing red is about 1400° F. The temperature of Miss Elder's engine may well have been much higher than 700° F., especially the exhaust. Gasoline spilled upon it would ignite readily.

SHERMAN S. SHAFFER

Baytown, Tex.

No Ham

Sirs:

Who is Philip Fox (TIME, Nov. 21) to call Adolphe Menjou "ham" and to insinuate public indifference to the fact that a distinguished actor reads TIME?

Mr. Menjou—no ham—one of the ablest in his profession, whose value as a screen attraction is estimated by Famous Players-Lasky Corporation at well over $7,000 per week, is especially commended for his admirable feeling for dramatic restraint. Restraint —if not dramatic—is recommended to hypercritical Fox. Let Fox watch Mr. Menjou play Alfred*; the headwaiter in Service for Ladies; then let him write a letter of apology.

D.M. OGDEN

New York City

Communist?

Sirs:

It might be of interest to know that it is being noised around here in the East that Nan Britton, who wrote The President's Daughter did so under the influence of Communists, and that the Elizabeth Ann Guild is one of their activities—the object being of course to undermine the sacredness of the home ties including the marriage relations and indirectly to hit our forces of organized government.

Realizing that "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" this might be worth considering.

F. BURTON

Washington, D.C.

^{*An error. The phrase is: "Greater love hath no man than
this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."—John, 15,
13.—ED.

*An error. Rear Admiral Grayson was promoted over 10
Assistant Surgeons, 86 Surgeons, 26 Medical Inspectors, 15 Medical
Directors— total, 137.

†Said Senator Reed: "Give me the radius
of a man's intelligence and I will describe the circumference of his
tolerance."—ED.

**Scottish inventor, after traditional hardships, of television and noctovision.—ED.

*A mistake. The name is Albert.—ED.}