Letters, Feb. 15, 1960

Dynamics

Sir:

Was your cinema critic perhaps a bit severe in calling Dimitri Tiomkin "probably the world's loudest composer" and stating that his music for the documentary film, Rhapsody of Steel, "bangs away on the sound track like a trip hammer" [Feb. 1]? Actually, the music for Rhapsody of Steel covers a wide dynamic range, with a substantial proportion of subdued effects.

SIGMUND SPAETH

New York City

End v. Means

Sir:

You quote Richard Nixon, avowed candidate for the presidential nomination, as follows: "A President's success is determined by his results rather than how he did it" [Jan. 25]. Must I now teach my young sons that the end justifies the means?

SUZANNE GUETTEL SUSKIN Kansas City, Mo.

Sir:

Nixon's statement is exemplary of the most pernicious ideology of our times, and one that was adopted with "success" by national socialism and atheistic materialism. Mr. Nixon has been called "tricky Dick," but in this statement he has inadvertently tricked himself, as far as I am concerned.

ANTHONY P. MCBRIDE Adams, Mass.

Buried Treasure

Sir:

It was a disappointment to find TIME presenting the same aged and tattered stereotype of commercial diving and divers [Jan. 25]. This is no reflection on Jack Coghlan. Long may his air flow sweet! But I get tired of people asking me, out on the job, if it's true that a diver earns $100 an hour. Maybe he earns it, but he's paid more like $100 a day.

Is there a man in the magazine or newspaper world who is constitutionally capable of writing a diving story without dragging in "silver and jewels"? Or who can resist employing the old, shameful deceit concerning the value of sunken cargo by citing its insured or market value at the date when it was loaded aboard the ship—new and being awaited by some purchaser whose plans and profits revolved around it? What would be today's value of papermaking machinery made in 1927, valued then at $1,500,-ooo? What would its original consignee give for it, delivered now, even if it had not been underwater for 33 years?

ERIC J. SCHMIDT

Interlake Marine Service Trenton, Mich.

Beauty Contest Sir: Unless a woman is downright homely, it seems all magazines and newspapers use such exaggerated terms as "beautiful, glamorous and hand some" when describ ing all females. Now TIME [Feb. i] comes up with "handsome" to describe Mrs.

John Kennedy. Mrs.

Kennedy could be far more attractive if she would follow her husband's example and do something about her hair.

BETTY M. FRANCIS Levittown, N.Y.

Sir:

If Mr. Kennedy is trying with such effort to build an image for the people, perhaps it won't be long before he approaches the speaker's rostrum wearing a monocle.

NICKI HILLS San Leandro, Calif.

Sir:

Young Jack's a solid citizen

Whose loyalties won't err;

He'll sing "God bless the Vatican"

And wear his cap of fur.

JAMES MOREY Durham, N.C.

Erratum

Sir: