Letters: Oct. 21, 1966

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The Way It Is

Sir: As a regular listener to CBS news, I heartily agree with you on the authoritative, relevant and objective newscasting by Walter Cronkite [Oct. 14]. When Walter concludes his daily assortment of often unpleasant news with "That's the way it is, October . . . ," somehow I feel this silent remark, "and I can't do a thing about it."

MASATO TAKAHASHI, M.D.

Los Angeles

Sir: Who can forget Walter's tremendous coverage of the Kennedy assassination? I can still hear his emotion-laden voice as he tried to keep control. It was an insight into his character for him to reveal himself as a warm human being; to let the world know that he felt the same as the rest of us during those black hours.

(MRS.) VIVIEN BEIRLEIN

Northville, N.Y.

Sir: Unlike Huntley and Brinkley, Walter Cronkite has no need of "sly side comments" to get his opinion across. The alert viewer can immediately detect his views on any given story by observing his facial expression at the conclusion of an on-the-scene report.

BRYAN WILSON

Waco, Texas

Sir: Americans seem to repudiate stiff-backed reporters who blandly mouth the words, but on the other hand have all the time in the world to listen to a shirt-sleeved next-door neighbor like Cronkite. It would be interesting to see him some night speaking into an old carbon mike from a rickety desk, being televised from an old television camera of dubious condition, and reading from copy that is so red-penciled it's hardly legible. The bets are down that he could still get more across to his news-thirsty viewers than anybody else.

JOHN N. SAVAGE

Toledo, Ohio

Sir: Your cover story on Cronkite points up one terrible truth. Image is the thing. This is true in newscasting, politics and (pardon) the press.

Lincoln wouldn't have a chance today. He was homely, poor and honest and in addition, had an unattractive wife. This would make him persona non grata by today's shallow standards. The build up of unqualified candidates via TV and the news media is disgusting.

(MRS.) D. R. SHOUP

Charlotte, N.C.

Sir: The electronic front page will soon present living war in every cold blooded American home. What more could the American public ask for? I hope the commercials will be appropriate and well timed. I would hate to miss seeing my cousin killed.

CHRIS BUYS

Graduate Student

University of Colorado

Boulder, Colo.

Sir: Let's see on TV pictures of the Viet Cong prison camp where they chained and tried to kill some of their prisoners.

EDWARD CLARKE

New York City

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