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A letter on p. 4 of TIME for Oct. 14 signed by Ira S. Hurt (non-Catholic) states that Francis Scott Key, who wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner," was a member of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Key was a devoted and lifelong member of the Episcopal Church, and a devoted and intimate friend of Bishop Meade, the great bishop of Virginia. Mr. Key was often a distinguished member of the general conventions of the Episcopal Church, and to his good literary taste is due much of the praise for the fine hymnal of the Episcopal Church. He was, I believe, chairman of the Church Hymnal Committee of the General Convention of the Church of 1823. . . .
WILLOUGHBY N. CLAYBROOK Rector Christ Church Tyler, Tex.
Meatpacker
Sirs:
Acclaim for TIME'S witticism (TIME, Oct. 14, p. 71) in report of Milwaukee Sentinel's transfer, viz: "thereby Charles Pfister, meatpacker," etc. It is true. The late Mr. Pfister did pack his 240 pounds of it around for years, though with a heavy cane and considerable difficulty. Then as to "shutting out Hearst." That gentleman is decidedly "in" with his Wisconsin News. And by the way, the late Mr. Pfister, in his lifetime, was a leather tycoon (Pfister & Vogel), banker and political boss. Again: "Harry Johnston Grant's Journal." Lucius W. Nieman, founder, has never yet indicated that anyone else than himself owns the Journal. If he were in his grave instead of prowling about the golf courses of Wisconsin and California, he might respond to such a statement by turning over as completely as has the Journal upon practically every political and public policy issue arising in Wisconsin during the 45 years of its existence. Though busily engaged in ferreting out Wisconsin accuracies for the unfailingly accurate Chicago Tribune, is it now necessary that I take on the responsibility for accuracies of TIME? In that item: score, three times at bat; three whiffs. Although two weeks will have elapsed I trust this will still be in TIME.
PUTNEY HAIGHT Wisconsin Correspondent Chicago Tribune Milwaukee, Wis.
Animal Obituaries
Sirs:
Concluding your column titled "Milestones" in TIME, May 6, you have a notice of the death of a hippopotamus. Another zoo denizen was accorded an obituary . . . few weeks ago.
It seems to me in extremely bad taste and utterly disrespectful to include the obituary of an animal with those of humans. . . .
E. C. GAINES Beacon-on-Hudson, N. Y.
TIME will continue printing famed animals' obituaries. Reasons: 1) They are news; 2) Many a person loves many an animal better than many a person.—ED.
On Breakfast Trays
Sirs:
TODAY IN NEW YORK is new, unique in journalism. It is New York City's latest morning newspaper.
We thank you for your announcement of our recent birth (TIME, Sept. 16). We think it rather unkind to credit us with only 5,000 daily circulation. It is 25,000 every morning in the rooms and on breakfast trays in 93 of New York's finest hotels.
You call us a Tabloid. By your usage Tabloid is synonymous with Gum Chewers' Gazette. That we are not. . . .
FRED L. PALMER PAUL H. RAYMER The Editors New York City.
Hey!
Hey, Mister!