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As an ex-Navy nurse ... I am now working longer hours for less pay than I received as an Ensign, without the honor of wearing the uniform of my country.
JOAN CARPENTER Indianapolis, Ind.
Sirs:
I am enclosing a copy of a section of a letter written ... by Lieut. Jeanne R. Moore, 48th Field Hospital. . . .
"We moved out of France about three weeks ago and are now up here in the northeastern corner of Belgium where things are popping and popping fast. . . .
"Our patient list is getting high again and that means long hours of good work for us. Honestly, Peg, I've never really had a chance to nurse before this. Here is where you actually and gratefully thank God that there is something you can do to help. Even the least little bit counts. . . .
"Most of our cases now are the results of mine explosions. They are certainly the most treacherous thing that any madman ever conceived. They do such extensive, tragic damage—the kind we can't do very much about. How these boys can take it the way they do is beyond me. . . .
"Without meaning to brag (too much!!) we clear 24 major multiple wound cases . . . in 24 hours. We also have added 14 amputations to our regular day's surgery. These Field Hospitals really run an unbelievably heavy schedule. We just do them as they bring them in from the field. . . ."
MRS. J. P. BRADSHAW JR. New York City
Sirs:
To a medical officer who has served in many Army hospitals since December 1941, the shortage of nurses and the imminent drafting of nurses strike a very peculiar note.
In the entire three years, and about ten different hospitals that I have served, I have not seen one nurse with the rank of major or above. I have seen one nurse with the rank of captain (she was a Regular Army nurse with over 20 years of service), and not more than a total of five with the rank of first lieutenant. All the others that I have seen were (and are) second lieutenants.
These girls are on call, and often work 24 hours a day. Many of them working in the front lines have died at their post of duty. . . . (SERVICEMAN'S NAME WITHHELD) Colorado Springs, Colo.
Sirs:
... If nurses are drafted, so should other women. We all know there are many who do nothing outside their homes. . . . They are desperately needed everywhere.
ALICE PLITTALL, R.N. Cleveland, Ohio
Who's Burning?
Sirs:
You had better keep a fire extinguisher handy because this is going to burn you up. You had a lot of nerve writing what you did about Errol Flynn (TIME, Feb. 12). The only reason I take TIME magazine is because our teacher makes us. I wasn't the only kid that got mad over that article. . . .
I'm in a classroom now so I'd better sign off.
HELENE BIEDERMAN Cincinnati, Ohio
Sprinter
Sirs:
Arthur Duffey was not "a minor but revered West Coast cop dodger" (TIME, Jan. 29), but one of our greatest sprint champions and a highly respected amateur athlete. . . ,
J. F. FURLONG JR.
Belmont, Calif.
Sirs: