Letters, Oct. 20, 1952

Texas & Shivers

Sir:

Your Sept. 29 article on Texas followed the same hackneyed approach that you always take toward my native state—oil wells, millionaires, the Cullen Foundation, and the Republic National Bank ... In the traditional TIME manner your article slides over the surface of Texas politics and finds the tidelands the supreme issue. Certainly the word "tidelands" has been passed about by the politicians, but it is safe to say that half to three-fourths of the people of the state do not know what the controversy is about . . .

In spite of H. R. Cullen and Jesse Jones, Texas is essentially a poor state and backward in many respects . . . The vast majority of our people, the low-income group, are not opposed to New Deal measures other than the attempts to promote racial equality. They have benefited greatly from the Democratic programs, and will probably stay with the party if it promises to continue these programs. The ultra-conservatives are really not typical of the state as a whole . . .

PAUL E. ISAAC

Searcy, Ark.

Sir:

. . . TIME errs in calling the tidelands issue only a matter of principle. There will be plenty of money involved too. Royalties and fees from leasing state-owned land in Texas go to pay for the education of Texas schoolchildren. Lured by the economic opportunity mentioned in your article, many aggressive young couples have moved to

Texas from other states. This influx of young couples and their children, plus the population growth encountered with an expanding economy, is creating an acute shortage of school buildings and teachers . . . Any Texan who values the welfare of his children should vote for Dwight Eisenhower.

WILLIAM P. HARVEY

Wichita Falls, Texas

Sir:

This fight in Texas is separating the men from the boys. Governor Shivers, with his million-dollar farms and all, is proving to be just an office boy for the oil cartel and the big rich. The men, like Sam Rayburn and Wright Patman, are standing up for the people . . .

R. N. JONES

Corpus Christi, Texas

Sir:

. . . Some day I hope to see Allan Shivers as President of the United States . . .

RONALD J. BYERS

Austin, Texas

Sir:

Hallelujah! It's about time TIME did something about that stupid Texas myth.

. . . Every Texan is a walking Chamber of Commerce, and there is absolutely nothing to boast about.

I have found them unoriginal people, and that the great fortunes they have are either made by Northerners who have brought their money to Texas, or have inherited it from Northern sources.

I sometimes have the feeling that if you took all means of communication out of Texas the people wouldn't miss it one bit. They are that wrapped up in themselves . . .

ARLENE SHAPIRO

Austin, Texas

Texas v. Ferber

Sir:

Re Edna Ferber's Giant [Sept. 29]: this lady is about as well qualified to write authoritatively on the state of Texas and its inhabitants as I am to do 447 printed pages on the political and social situation, historic background, etc. of Cuba, where last winter I spent 44 days. The last time I saw a Texas "steak topped by a couple of eggs" was in August 1916, at Presidio when doing Mexican Border service with the and Texas Infantry . . .

WILLIAM FIELDS