Padre & the Boys
Sirs: In defense of the religious work in the Civilian Conservation Corps which Enrollee Mackenzie attacks so bitterly [TIME. Sept. 16], let me say that I have been a chaplain in this organization ever since its inception and, while church attendance is not compulsory, most officers use every legitimate means to guide the boys to the religious service. This they do for they know that the weekly visit of the "padre"' very decidedly helps the camp morale. We who wear the cross try to "woo" the boys into our congregation by giving them, not baloney or piffle, but something practical, helpful and inspiring—something which they can use in their everyday life. I have received many letters from boys who have finished their "tour" with the C. C. C. telling me how much they miss the church services. Some of these boys were "non-churchgoers" before enrolling. Most of the chaplains I know try to make their sermons so interesting and their church services so attractive that the boys hate to stay away. They feel that they are missing something. Of course in every camp we are apt to find someone who has a "crossed-wire" on the subject of religion, politics, etc. I hope that your readers remember that two swallows don't make a summer and that one fanatic doesn't represent the religious reaction of the entire camp personnel.
CHAPLAIN EDWIN W. TODD.
Camp Custer C. C. C. District Camp Custer, Mich.
"Unpublishable"
Sirs: I have just read in TIME. Sept. 16, your story, "Suicide of a Consul." While I know that you will be branded as unpatriotic, revealers of "unpublishable" State matters, and twisters of truth, I want to congratulate you on an excellent example of fearless reporting.
I don't know the true facts of the case other than those you report: plenty of people will protest them. But I do know that there is such a thing as professional jealousy in our various Executive Departments.
From service in the Navy I know how false are many of the accusations which are leveled at officials of the military and civil services— accusations which obviously cannot be officially refuted.
But so long as TIME can print a story such as this, I know that I can continue to regard its editors, as I have for several years of cover-to-cover reading, as able, thorough and courageous writers of the history of Today.
THEODORE HOFLER
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Sirs:
TIME is to be commended on its reports of the facts leading up to the death of U. S. Consul George C. Hanson. The incident is one more act in the farce of recognition by this government of Soviet Russia.
If the Hanson incident is indicative of the manner in which the State Department serves pur country's interests, that is by pending one of its most able men to a place where he's not needed, then it would appear that the time was ripe for our Chief Executive to use a vacuum cleaner on said Department.
R. M. HILLMAN Springfield, Mass.
Pleased Floridian
Sirs:
TIME is deserving of plenty of praise for its sane and honest description of the supposed hurricane that visited Florida last week. TIME gave a very clear picture of the real catastrophes, namely, the Dixie's grounding and the veterans' drowning. One unfortunate, one unnecessary.