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[In FORTUNE for January, World Peaceways' advertisement pictured a disabled veteran resting in his wheel chair beneath the headline: HELLO, SUCKER. Continued the advertisement: "Yes, we know it's cruel ... he went to war. And behold his reward." — ED.]
I am sure that many World War veterans will agree with you, possibly even a great majority of them that U. S. participation in the World War was in vain, that human life was sacrificed to rescue ill-placed private property. I am equally certain that World War veterans and good U. S. citizens stand almost united in condemning you for using the disabled for purposes of commercial advertising. Certainly every red-blooded citizen must denounce you for calling them "suckers." . . .
In view of the fact that you have carried two such advertisements in successive issues of FORTUNE, I cannot hope that we will be able to dissuade you from further commercialization of your disabled countrymen. I believe, however, you would be performing a real public service if you would refuse to stoop again to such profit-taking. . . .
As National Publicity Director of The American Legion, it will be my duty, upon instructions from my superiors, to call this to the attention of our entire membership. I shall be pleased to have your reply before taking that step.
HAROLD K. PHILIPS
National Publicity Director
The American Legion
National Headquarters
Indianapolis, Ind.
Sirs:
On p. 33 of TIME, March 16, you state that the World Peaceways' advertisements which have appeared for the last two years in FORTUNE are free. I understood that the magazines made a big show of giving the space but actually are paid for paper and printing. What are the facts?
WILLIAM BUESCHEL
New York City
Fact is that for World Peaceways' advertising in FORTUNE, Time Inc. received not one cent. — ED.