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We were much chagrined to see in your Oct. 7 issue a letter from Rudolph Dunbar, especially since we do not share the sentiments contained in it. The interview with Mr. Dunbar took place at our home, and we found your reporter, Mr. Louis Banks, to be most cooperative and alert. We also feel that it was a gracious gesture on TIME'S part to open its columns to publicize Mr. Dunbar's work.
WILLIAM GRANT STILL Los Angeles
Ravens' Rations
Sirs:
Your story on the ravens at the Tower of London [TIME, Oct. 7] reminded me of a visit I made to the Tower several months ago. . . .
A "beefeater" showing us about pointed out the ravens, explained that they were entered on the British Army muster rolls at the Tower, and received regular rations. . . .
Then, with a sweep of his arm toward a tower crusted with raven droppings, the "beefeater" remarked:
"And there are some of the results of Lend-Lease."
VICTOR WILSON Philadelphia
The Birds & Bees, etc.
Sirs:
Your article, "Tips for Tots" (TIME, Oct. 7), simply turns my stomach. I wouldn't have such a set of records in the house.
Imagine listening to Doc Clock at breakfast, Happity Yappity Appetite at lunch and dear old Sip-Sip Supper at supper. . . .
If a child has enough sense to ask questions about the world his Momma and his Poppa ought to have enough sense and imagination and honesty to answer. Our own children are six years, four years, and nine months old. Nobody around our house works off parenthood by proxy of the phonograph. Don't misunderstand—the kids think that
Peter and the Wolf and the fairy stories are fine, but I can spin better fairy tales myself out of thin air, and Pappy can give a better explanation of how to drive a nail in Bill's fire truck than any phonograph record.
Why can't children be allowed to learn some things for themselves? If they want to know about bees, let them watch a hive. . . .
If youngsters want to know where babies come from can't Momma and Poppa say that babies come from inside their mothers? Or buy a female dog and let her have pups, or better still let the family get a new baby? (The last baby obviously has to learn from the Llewelyn setter.) . . .
If I were a child and I had somebody three times my size constantly ding-donging at me to eat my food, clean up my plate, close my mouth when I chewed, wipe off my chin, say thank you, take off my hat, etc., I would turn into a gibbering idiot. So would you.
Personally, I hope the great big ol' Hap-pity Yappity Appetite gets Murray and Sylvia Winant and all the Graphic Education Productions and scares hell outta them ... all to rollicking music, of course.
MRS. RAY S. ALEXANDER Fordyce, Ark.
Housewife's Friend
Sirs:
Re A. & P. monopoly (TIME, Sept. 20), the theory that it is better to produce a little to sell at a big profit for a few rather than to sell a large quantity at a small profit for everyone is too much in evidence in our country today, much to my dismay—as I am the purchasing agent for our home.