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Sir: A pox on Mr. Munson, the building inspector who would force parents to obtain tree-house permits [July 7] for the safety of their kids. And a plague on him for daring to suggest specifications. Shall we add this to the burgeoning list of personality-stifling, scarlet-taped "blueprints for living" that add so much pallor to American childhood these days? Can a boy build his Shangri-la with a mind cluttered by requirements for 1-in. floor boards, two-by-four framing and 42-in.-high walls? Can he grow into the resourceful, inventive, self-sufficient man he's expected to be by the Mr. Munsons of the world when he's told to climb no higher than 12 ft. off the ground? So Mr. Munson fell out of a tree house as a child, and cut his arm. May he do so again—but this time from a 5-in.-diameter hardwood branch! And may he land—rump first —on a 16-penny nail!
ROBERT BESCH Marion, Ohio
For a Longer Life
Sir: About Letter Writer Altman's comment on the "flickering" nova [July 14]: It is accepted in U.S. education circles that "nova" as applied to the Nova complex is derived from the Latin "new." However, we have encountered this ploy of the short-lived star before; the answer is that the "brief" life of a nova may be several thousand years.
HENRY KINNEY Nova University Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Hare Today, Gone Tomorrow
Sir: With reference to "Auto Racing" [July 7]: Mr. Foyt should remain with those bulky old Offenhausers in the interest of saving the public from other crybaby winners. The U.S.A.C. shows a great lack of imagination if it cannot formulate a scheme whereby the turbine cars, an attempt at progress, can be worked into competition with the now almost obsolete Lotus-Fords. Nothing is so boring as to watch a race between tortoises when there is a hare waiting in the wings to tear up the track.
J. MICHAEL DROITCOUR JR. Philadelphia
After Their Fashion
Sir: Apropos of the People item about Twiggy's posture [July 7]: Did you forget? As the Twiggy's bent, so is fashion inclined.
MRS. EDWARD S. MADARA JR. Gladwyne, Pa.
Sir: Everybody talks about her; why doesn't somebody stop talking and start to feed her? When I came to America, five years ago, I weighed only 98 Ibs. Now that good people have fed me, I weigh 160 Ibs. and I feel very good. Twiggy has nothing on her dinner plate. If I can donate some dinner, let me know.
ERICH DORFNER Helena, Ark.