Letters, Jul. 2, 1934

Los Angeles Epidemic

Sirs:

. . . I am appealing to you for information which I am confident you can give. What is the seriousness and extent of the infantile paralysis epidemic in Los Angeles? I had planned to spend part of the summer there, but am deterred by newspaper reports, and rumors. . . .

MAZI C. GORDON New York City

Some 900 cases of infantile paralysis have been reported in Los Angeles County during the past two months. Only seven deaths occurred during the epidemic which, county authorities believe, has passed its peak. In Hollywood cinema folk closed their private swimming pools when Actress Ida Lupino, and Cameraman Hal Rosson, estranged husband of Jean Harlow, contracted mild cases of the disease.—ED.

Utopians

Sirs:

Several times during the past month I have been approached by persons who claim to be members of the Utopian Society of America, wanting me to join their organization, which, they claim, will dictate the policy of the U. S. Government within 60 days. Their claim is:

200,000 members in California. 25,000,000 members in the U. S. Could you give a TIMELY report on this organization in an early issue? . . .

MARK J. HAMPTON Los Angeles, Calif.

Sirs:

Can you give me any information about "The Utopians?" I have heard many people talking about it and how the movement is "sweeping the country." . . .

ANNIE-LAURIE GREGORY Long Beach, Calif.

Organized in Los Angeles last January. The Utopian Society purports "to give people economic education." Its aims include: 1) Tax reform, with heavier burden on the rich. 2) All persons to be educated until they are 25, work from 25 to 45, then retire. 3) Workers to be paid in nontransferable "units of buying power." Membership is highly secret, members being designated by number. Headquarters claims 200,000 members in 15 major cities and 400 towns. Initiation fee is $3; dues of 10¢ a month are expected if the member can pay. Neophytes pass through a series of mysterious "cycles," at one of which each is expected to write a letter to President Roosevelt praising his program. —ED.

Twinning Sheep Sirs:

TIME, June 11, Animals, p. 38, footnote: ''So, rarely, do horses, cows, SHEEP, deer [have multiple births.]" You should feel a little ''sheepish'' about the sheep part of your note. One hundred ten to 130% lamb crops are not uncommon in California. So you see a few of the woolies must double up to bring this about. . . .

ROBERT A. DOZIER Rio Vista, Calif.

Sirs:

After reading your issue of June 11 I went down to the pasture and read to the old ram your famed statement on multiple births. Since which he has done nothing but strut, because he is the father of twins by more than a fourth of the ewes. . . .

R. B. HERBERT Columbia, S. C.

TIME erred. In certain breeds, notably Shropshire, the twinning rate is as high as 50%. Sometimes triplets occur; quadruplets very rarely. Western sheep, mostly a cross of Merino and native breeds, twin less frequently. Cows rarely have twins, but last week in Tullahoma, Tenn. a Jersey produced triplets.—ED.

"Dead One"

Sirs: