Letters, May 10, 1943

(3 of 4)

White-Collar Predicament Sirs: In chronicling the contemporary American scene, it seems to me that TIME and others have failed to appreciate the predicament in which a great many millions of Americans find themselves today. I refer to the plight of white-collar workers and others who, through no fault of their own, are not benefiting by the high wages being paid in war industries.

. . . That the country is rolling in wealth which must be "siphoned off" is an erroneous and a dangerous generalization. In my travels I have seen hundreds of persons, never highly paid, who are in serious financial difficulties because of ever-increasing taxation and the great boost in living costs.

With the further upward-spiraling of taxes and living costs, I predict that a large segment of the population will find it impossible to meet their obligations. If they seek employment in war industries they will leave unfilled services that can well lead to a serious disruption of the whole war effort.

I have no panacea to suggest. I am just noting a condition.

EARLE DOUCETTE Augusta, Me.

TIME's Venom (Cont'd) Sirs: "Do other readers agree that an undertone of venom is TIME's chief lure, that sadism governs their reading habits?" (TIME, April 19).

Yes.

BARNABY CONRAD JR. New Haven, Conn.

Sirs:

. . . Hell no!

ROBERT BOLTON

Angola, N. Y.

Sirs:

The circulation of hot dogs would fall off were it not for mustard, but mustard is not their chief lure. . . .

D. R. W. WAGER-SMITH Albuquerque, N. Mex.

Sirs:

I fairly drool at the mouth, curse the mailman and am in general in a state of frustration when my copy of TIME is late. I wondered what ailed me—now I know—it's the sadist in me. . . .

DOROTHY ROLAND Nahant, Mass.

Sirs:

I resent the letter in TIME as to the undertone of venom. . . .

May I suggest that Mr. Lambert speak just for himself, as he not only does TIME an injustice but their readers also.

OLIVE A. MACOMB Long Beach, Calif.

> The score to date: Yes, 20%; No, 56%; Maybe, 24%.—ED.

Polish Unreality Sirs: With a colossally characteristic disregard for reality, Poland's General Sikorski dares speak now of the reapportionment of Eastern European territory after the present conflict is over. . . .

TIME, April 12, speaks with typical candidness in mildly stating that "... both the time and the tone [of his statements] were ill chosen." Instead of pleading with the U.S., Great Britain and the Soviet Union to re-establish a Poland, Sikorski goes ahead and formulates plans for a miniature cordon sanitaire composed of small eastern countries to block off Russia, and even entertains hopes of acquiring Czecho-Slovakian territory.

The thousands of Polish heroes who died to prevent just such depredations . . . would, if they could, speak up to Mr. Sikorski and the Government in Exile, urge them at least to temper their demands upon Allies who are at present . . . busy fighting and winning the war so that nations like Poland may again exist.

ALBERT R. KALL Morristown, N. J.