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Doughty shark-hunters, we view disdainfully the "exciting experience" of Mr. Holzman of Cincinnati, who reports in these columns (TIME, Aug. 21) how he was roused from his absorption in TIME by the whirring sound of an unwinding reel and forgot all else as he "found and finally landed" a mere 3½-lb. bass. I happened to be reading TIME and Mr. Holzman's letter during a shark-hunt off Lewes, Del., when I was roused by a shout from one of our party: "I got one!" He was Herluf Provensen, who was presidential announcer for NBC out of Washington until he became assistant manager of its Washington stations, WRC and WMAL. Sure 'nuff, he had one a 300-lb. shark, measuring about 7 ft.! It was the last of four caught by our party, which also included Harold Talburt, Scripps-Howard's 1933 Pulitzer Prizewinning cartoonist; Harry C. Butcher, Columbia Broadcasting System's Washington representative; Dr. E. B. Brooks, Washington pediatrician and Herbert L. Pettey, sec- retary, Federal Radio Commission. After the shark was properly played and fatigued, he was brought alongside, lashing, was gaffed and hoisted in—but not before his blood had splashed my TIME. We dubbed him Hitler, took him to a nearby lighthouse, hoisted him and photographed him, not bothering to photograph the three mere 100 pounders that Messrs. Butcher, Brooks and Pettey had also landed. (Talburt and I lost our chance to get any because the others had lost all our tackle to about a dozen whoppers they didn't land; but we got ours on a similar expedition the week before.) Now if you need further proof of this tale of piscatorial prowess, here's Provensen pictured with his shark; also a picture of that hero resting from his arduous labors reading my blood-stained copy of TIME. MARTIN CODEL
Washington, D. C.
Black Pope
Sirs:
Under Education in Aug. 28 issue of TIME, you speak about every Jesuit College periodically getting a new president personally chosen in Rome by the "Black Pope."
Born and raised a Roman Catholic, my ignorance may seem refreshing, when (if I may) I ask you to please explain who this Black Pope is?
Looking forward to the answer and thanking you in advance.
MARY E. CORY
Mattoon, Ill.
The Superior General of the Society of Jesus (at present Polish Wlodimir Ledochowski) is often called the "Black Pope" — because he wears a black habit and possesses powers which, in their limited way, resemble the Holy Father's. The General, like the head of any religious order, is elected by a Jesuit general congregation which rarely convenes for any other purpose. He has large spiritual and admin- istrative authority, even to setting aside (but not altering) the Constitutions written by St. Ignatius Loyola and associates and adopted in 1558. The General lives in Rome, is advised by assistants from various parts of the World (at present only five). Should the General through age or infirmity become incapable of governing the Jesuits, the general congregation may meet and appoint a vicar to act for him. At his death the General may appoint his own vicar, to serve until the congregation elects a full successor.—ED.