Letters: Dec. 15, 1967

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Sir: Your comments on the gold drain suggested an idea so simple there must be something wrong with it. Why is it not possible, when France presents a slug of dollars and demands gold, to say: "Sure, we will redeem the dollars with gold, and we will credit the gold to that account you have owed us so long. Thank you."

E. R. HUCKLEBERRY, M.D. Salt Lake City

Two Views of TV

Sir: After twelve months in Viet Nam in combat with the 1st Air Cavalry Division, I was bemused by your article on the TV combat news reporter [Dec. 1]. With very few exceptions, these fearless purveyors of perceptiveness and veracity arrive at the scene of battle after the outcome has become certain; they invariably interview the twice-wounded private who has just witnessed his two best buddies killed, who hasn't slept for two days, and who is most likely to caustically comment on the conduct of the action, conduct of his leaders, conduct of the war, reason for American involvement, and why he would much rather be in a New York bar than in a Southeast Asian jungle. After this "in-depth" analysis of a typical day's progress in the prosecution of the war, the "political-military-economic-medical" expert gives his somber and acrimonious interpretation of the day's events, year's progress, decade's possibilities and century's certainties.

DAVID P. PORRECA Captain, U.S.A. Fort Benning, Ga.

On the Mark

Sir: Having been a constant reader of TIME since early youth, it was not without pride or gratitude that I saw your favorable comment on the Maersk Line and on me personally [Nov. 24]. Denmark is a small country, frequently too impressed with its own opinions on what other countries should or should not do, and far too often Denmark, in consequence, is quoted abroad on its less constructive attitudes. Your comment on our activities is therefore doubly appreciated.

MAERSK MCKINNEY MOLLER Copenhagen

Cavities Can Be Good for You

Sir: In your article on my brother, Howard Zieff (television commercials) [Nov. 24], the description of him as short and hyperactive is sadly incomplete. My kids are short and hyperactive—he's intense, brilliant, and personally fascinating. It may be interesting for your motherly readers to note that our family dentist gave him his original art lessons, and with each visit his genius emerged. Unfortunately, my group had fewer cavities.

(MRS.) MARGIE ZIEFF FINN Sepulveda, Calif.