Letters: Letters, Sep. 28, 1931

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Hurley's Faith

Sirs:

Vice Presidents often become Presidents. No Catholic has yet been President. Why did TIME miss an opportunity to give an important fact, politically, about Patrick Jay Hurley? . . . (TIME, Sept. 14).

MILDRED SHEPARD WRIGHT

Orange, X. J.

Secretary Hurley's father & mother were Roman Catholics. He attended a Baptist school. His wife is an Episcopalian. Regarded by many as a Catholic. he never discusses his faith (TIME, Dec. 16, 1929). When he goes to church it is usually with his wife at hers.—ED.

Purse-Giver Chaplin

Sirs:

Rare indeed does TIME err. But occasionally an error slips in ... and not without purpose. It may be but a reminder that after all you are human.

Under People, TIME. Sept. 7, you inform us that cinemactor Charles Spencer Chaplin offered a prize of 20 pounds sterling to that porter of London's Borough market in Southwark who could run fastest with a pile of half-bushel baskets on his head.

But along comes an Associated Press photo in the picture section of the Sunday Chicago Tribune, Sept. 6. with the legend that "One Charles Chaplin—not ours—is the present champion and has put up a purse of twenty pounds for the winner of this contest." I have accused you of erring, but it now occurs to me that the Chicago Tribune may have erred! May I suggest an explanation of these conflicting reports?

A. O. AMBROZ Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Cinemactor Chaplin's secretary sent from Los Angeles a check for £20 for the first prize (suit, overcoat, gold watch). The same Chaplin gave the same prize in 1930. Rumored reason: to proceed with twelve baskets piled on their heads, contestants tend to manipulate their feet duckwise as Cinemactor Chaplin does. Real reason: Charles Spencer spent his urchinhood in Southwark. For a view of the race, held last fortnight at Herne Field near London, won by Porter H. Staiano, see cut.—ED.

Bright-Eyed Wife

Sirs:

Your issue Aug. 10, p. 21, article captioned, "El Dorado Viewed."

I am the "bright-eyed, hard-muscled little wife" of Dr. Herbert Spencer Dickey. I have accompanied my husband on a number of trips, through Ecuador, Peru and Brazil, and on one occasion to within 300 miles of the source of the Orinoco with him.

I did not, however, accompany my husband and his party to the source of the Orinoco on the trip from which we are now returning. I remained, instead, on the lower Orinoco collecting specimans, and gathering data for my forthcoming lecture tour.

No Rosita Forbes or Lady Dorothy Mills, I am satisfied with my just deserts, desire nothing more. ELIZABETH DICKEY

St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

Georgetownite

Sirs: