Letters, Dec. 22, 1947

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In view of our bringing up, our large and conservative (at times) family were astonished to learn that Mrs. Cleon Throckmorton had become a smoker of big, black cigars at the opera, particularly in view of the fact that for some months-past she has been in Bermuda, where she still is, with her husband, the scenic designer, who is designing the first legitimate theater on the island. Throck may be burning the midnight oil and smoking big, black cigars, but Juliet, never.

AILEEN ST. JOHN BRENON

New York City

¶ TIME, misled by an erroneous picture caption, apologizes to Mrs. Cleon Throckmorton. The stogie-puffer was Antoinette Dallas Turcas Throckmorton.—ED.

Citizens' Complaint

Sir:

Mayor Denny's letter [TIME, Dec. 15] attempts to make believe that because twelve criminals are now in jail all is well again in Indianapolis. . . .

Mayor Denny's letter to TIME illustrates perfectly that complacent attitude of Marion County officialdom toward crime which is culminating in an orgy of rape and murder. Decent citizens won't tolerate it. ...

ADOLPH MUELLER

Indianapolis, Ind.

¶ Indianapolis' citizens made that pretty clear in November when they elected Democrat Al Feeney to succeed Mayor Denny. Feeney campaigned vigorously against the spoils system and especially against the incompetence of the police department and the courts.—ED.

Who's a Sucker?

Sir:

What is in a name? Everything, it would appear, when TIME [Nov. 24] refers to the Boyman's Museum, Rotterdam, and other purchasers of Van Meegeren's pictures, as suckers, owing to their acquisitions having proved the work of a contemporary artist, instead of genuine Vermeers. Has their merit wilted thereby? Is the Christ at Emmaus any less beautiful, because the authorship is changed?

Suckers are the people who are sold on names, and who acclaim any daub that bears a famous signature. . . .

My sincere congratulations go to Van Meegeren for being a great craftsman, and for having exposed . . . the snobbism which prevails in the art circles of our day.

H. E. ARATHOON

Guatemala Citv. Guatemala