Hotelman Hilton
Sir:
The TIME cover article [July 19] on Conrad Hilton almost catches the multiple paradox of a financial wizard who thinks and acts like a poet. To many of us who have come to know and love Mr. Hilton, his "vanity" is the terrifying simplicity of the eternal boy who never loses the simple sense of wonder in the appreciation of small things. I met him as a generous benefactor; I have come to respect him as a truly great man whose optimistic faith and courage in the face of harsh realities turn such realities into success stories for protective top aides and doubting boards and trusting friends.
SISTER M. JACQUELINE, S.I., Vice President Webster College Webster Groves, Mo.
Sir:
Mr. Hilton naive? Like an old coon dog.
Free ice water? Yes. Cubes? They'll cost you. Will the Conrad Hilton cash a check if you have an $8-per-year Carte Blanche card? Yes, for 10¢ per. What hasn't he thought of? Pay toilets in the guest rooms.
Do I stop at Hilton hotels? Every chance I get. Do I like Connie? Yes. Why? I admire his guts.
DAVID C. BRAIN Lawrence, Kans.
Sir:
Your cover story of Conrad Hilton contains a factual inaccuracy that could confuse future guests of the new New York Hilton and cause ill will for the old man. The New York Hilton does not provide "free parking to compete with the motels."
Our bill at this hotel for six nights (June 29-July 4) contains a fat garage fee of $28.25 for auto storage. This is almost $5 a day for the car alone.
HOWARD G. WILCOX Chicago
» The New York Hilton erred in informing TIME that parking was free. In fact, the maximum garage rate for 24 hours' storage is $4.75.—ED.
Enjoyed your cover story of Conrad Hilton and his growing empire!
Word has got around that he has purchased the Leaning Tower of Pisa and renamed it "the Tiltin' Hilton."
MRS. R. G. PIRSON North Tonawanda, N.Y.
Just Progress
Sir:
Have you heard of Knoxville, Tennessee's method of integration?
Our mayor, John Duncan, appointed a group of business leaders. Their assignment: to come up with a plan for orderly desegregation. They met with Negro leaders and worked out the program.
Circulate petitions. In a few weeks there were thousands of signatures, including nearly all the faculty and administration of the University of Tennessee, the top leaders of the TVA and of Knoxville business.
With that backing it couldn't fail.
Fifty theaters, restaurants and hotels agreed to join our march toward making Knoxville a completely "open" city.
No fuss. No muss. Just progress.
PROFESSOR ALBERT RAPP University of Tennessee Knoxville, Tenn.
Sir:
It's an excellent report on Emory University [July 19], but I wish you had given credit for integration to the board's chairman, Henry L. Bowden, who just received the sixth Alexander Meiklejohn Award from the American Association of University Professors for his contribution to academic freedom.
SANFORD S. ATWOOD President-elect Emory University Ithaca, N.Y.
Sir: