Herewith are excerpts from letters come to the desks of the editors during the past week. They are selected primarily for the information they contain either supplementary to, or corrective of, news previously published in TIME.
California Was First
TIME Los Angeles, Calif.
New York, N.Y. Aug. 9, 1925
Sirs:
Recently TIME (July 27 issue, Page 3) made a statement relative to a decision by the Carter Oil Co. to eliminate the twelve-hour day in the petroleum industry, thus "setting the example" for the industry and following a similar decision of the United States Steel Corporation. It was further stated that the twelve-hour day has always been the working basis in the oil fields.
My pride in Western industry causes me to rise up in indignation to insist that the readers of TIME be properly informed on this point.
Thirteen years ago the Standard Oil Co. (Calif.) completely eliminated the twelve-hour day in all branches of its operation on the Pacific Coast, and almost immediately the same policy became a fact throughout the petroleum industry in California.
When Mr. K.R. Kingsbury, President of the Standard Oil Co. (Calif.), appeared before the Senate Investigation Committee a few years ago, he gave testimony to the effect that, within six months after the inauguration of the eight-hour work day, the general efficiency and ost of operation had been greatly benefited by the change, in spite of the very large increase in labor expense.
R.M. WOOD
P.S. Confirmation of the above may be had by reading the record of the investigation of the oil industry by the Senate a few years ago.
Despective Statements
TIME Carigara, Leyte, P.I.
New York, N.Y. July 2, 1925
Sirs:
I have found out that I cannot continue to be a reader of your magazine.
So please drop me from your list.
In order that you may know what made me desist from reading your newsmagazine, let me tell you that in your issue of May 18, 1925, Page 2, in telling something about the Philippines, my country, you have incurred in inaccuracies. Such despective statements as "The old rebel Aguinaldo" and "the professional politicians such as Quezon, Osmena, Roxas" are not the news a Filipino has to pay for.
EDUARDO MAKABENTA
Surprise
TIME Wellington, N.Z.
New York, N.Y. July 17, 1925
Sirs:
A letter from so far away will probably surprise you, but I am a constant subscriber to TIME and find it useful as a summary of current events. Your writers however should make sure of their facts before publication. In your issue of June 8, Page 6, under the heading COMMONWEALTH, you state that in connection with the 60th birthday of King George there was no official holiday in the Dominions beyond the seas. This is incorrect. In this country, June 3, King's Birthday, is a statutory holiday and is observed as a close holiday by all Government offices, banks and business houses.
J.V. SOLOMON
Good
TIME Philadelphia, Pa.
New York, N.Y., July 31, 1925
Sirs: