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HAMMOND E. CHAFFETZ Kirkland, Ellis, Hodson, Chaffetz & Masters Chicago
Impurity Quotient
Sir: Re the article "Intelligence: Is There a Racial Difference?" [April 11]: Most American Negroes are at least 60% Caucasoid, regardless of skin color. Anyone with even a smidgin of intelligence himself plus a knowledge of genetics and U.S. culture patterns (among them sex) would realize that after over 200 years with a negligible number of African immigrants to augment the gene pool, there could be very few if any "pure" Negroes here at this time.
Dr. Terman (pére), father of many of our present testing concepts, was emphatic about not taking intelligence tests too seriously. He said, "Only through repeated tests of the same individual over periods of time can any reasonable norm be established. No one knows just what physical or emotional problems the testee may be laboring under . . . plus a possible unrelated background to the culture on which the tests are based. There is also a considerable learned facility in taking tests by those familiar with them, which places at a disadvantage those who are new to the game."
If someone wants to make valid tests why doesn't he go to Africa, where he may encounter "pure" race or stock and give the tests in their language and based on their culture?
KARENA SHIELDS Associate Professor of Anthropology-Sociology University of San Diego Alcala Park, Calif.
Keeping Their Marbles
Sir: We enjoyed your commentary on the World Marble Championship [April 11]. The "upstart colonials" are, in fact, a group of stockbrokers who found themselves in the same pub during the recent New York Stock Exchange Wednesday closings. The transition from elbow bending to shooting marbles was a natural. While it is true that we failed to appear at the championship this year, we had good reason: the application form we requested last October arrived April 2—just two days before the contest. In any event, unless we lose our marbles, we will be there next year.
CHRISTOPHER J. WHYBROW President The Tower Club Chicago
Stanley's Sturdy Boiler
Sir: Thanks for the news of the Lear Steam Racer, and for the comments on the old Stanley Steamers [April 11]. Allow me to correct one such: no Stanley boiler ever has blown up. Attempts were made to do this at the factory, and all that happened was the collapse of one of the 600 or so tubes with a big leak, but no disaster. This is of more than historic interest since a surprising number of old Stanleys have been lovingly restored, and are in use at antique car rallies and the like. It would be a pity if the admiring public should flee away thinking one of them might go boom! It won't. I have owned and driven ten different Stanleys since 1930. I survive, unscorched and unblown-up.
(THE REV.) STANLEY W. ELLIS East Orleans, Mass.
Hitting Hard