Letters, Nov. 7, 1955

Man of the Year

Sir:

An excellent story on the future prospects of Vice President Nixon. Is it possible at last for the country to have a man as young as he for its Chief Executive (though not at the expense of Mr. Eisenhower)? He is certainly an energetic go-getter. The country needs such men in times as these, when the day of the armchair executive has taken a place beside the man in the flying machine in sorties around the world. I would nominate Mr. Nixon for Man of the Year. A/3c R. LEAVELL, U.S.A.F. Evreux, France

Sir:

May I propose Sherman Adams? His reputation is neither tarnished nor varnished ; his abilities are able and stable. CAROL P. DEWEY Paris

My nomination goes to Inland Steel Chairman Clarence Randall for his concise diagnosis of the the part played in the sabotage of the free enterprise system by too many modern businessmen [Oct. 10]. The ruthless, forthright, anything-for-a-fast-buck, the public-be-damned brand of capitalism of the "good old days" has been replaced by the pious, hypocritical, anything-for-a-fast-subsidy, competition-be-damned brand popular today. A little less preaching about the advantages of competition and a little more competition would be the salvation of the free-enterprise system. GEORGE ANEIRO San Anselmo, Calif

Native Sons Sir: ant be the New York myth be exploded before Mr. De Sapio hoodwinks Mr. Harriman and the Democratic party? It ought to be obvious that the American people dont cotton to New Yorkers. In the past 50 years the political stage has been strewn with the corpses of unsuccessful candidates for the presidency from that great state. In that period five men who once sat where Harriman now sits sought to move on to the White House. Only one, F.D.R., succeeded.

RUSSELL C. STROUP Washington, B.C.

¶Since the turn of the century, T.R. as well as F.D.R. made the move from Albany to Washington. Those who tried and failed: Charles E. Hughes, Al Smith and Thomas E. Dewey.—ED.

Approval

Sir:

I note with considerable surprise, though not necessarily with disapproval, that you use the word "voluptuous" to describe a 15-year-old girl [Oct. 17], even though she is the former Princess Virginia Ira Furstenberg and now a bride of Prince Alfonso Hohenlohe-Langenburg. What's your excuse?

J. E. SCHMIDT Charlestown, Ind.

¶I For TIME'S excuse, see above.—ED.

Prudence & the Pontiff

Sir:

Anent the Oct. 17 story of the Pope's plea for "greater and greater speed to the glory of God": while the U.S. is being constantly cautioned to drive more slowly, the "infallible" Pontiff travels at almost one mile per minute, and urges others to race "with courtesy and prudence" at a super rate to church or hospital. Would a suggestion to start a few minutes earlier for a destination be considered "bigotry"?

CATHLEEN O'CONNER

Pentwater, Mich.

Prefab School

Sir: