Letters, Mar. 3, 1958

Man of Space

Sir:

I fervently hope that Wernher von Braun, on reading the eulogy about himself in the Feb. 17 issue of TIME, will read farther—to the story on Anne Frank in the same issue. Perhaps her story, or that of the innocent millions like her who died in the inhuman, barbaric extermination chambers of the Hitler concentration camps, might prick his conscience—just a little.

JACQUELINE M. ARKIN

New York City

Sir:

I may be a bit premature on this, but I would like to nominate Dr. Wernher von Braun as TIME'S Man of the Year for 1958. Thanks be to God that he is on our side.

HOWARD D. SMITH Janesville, Wis.

Sir:

I cannot share the enthusiasm for Von Braun. All that can be said for him is that he's willing to do for us what he was willing to do for Hitler.

SAMUEL E. LESSERE Clearwater, Fla.

Sir:

Dr. Wernher von Braun confesses he flunked high school math ! Could it be that Dr. von Braun's teacher had had insufficient instruction in how to teach?

DOROTHY MASS-PROTZEN Minneapolis

Sir:

In this scientist-starved country of ours, one wonders what salary Wernher von Braun draws for his missile-expert job to shoot Alpha 1958 into orbit. Would he make more if he grew sideburns and played the guitar ? HANS W. SCHWARK Milwaukee

¶ His salary is $16,000 a year. No doubt he would make more if he could send cats out of this world.—ED.

The Flight of the Explorer

Sir:

You are redeemed a thousand times by such writing as that which described Explorer's first flight [Feb. 10]. Rarely have I read a more exciting news story. I relished the beautiful choice of language and gripping imagery.

CHARLES A. TURNER Lowville, N.Y.

Sir:

Concerning your blow-by-blow-by-blow coverage of the launching of the satellite Explorer: less melodrama, more news!

PETER R. HAMBURGER JAMES M. BURGER

Mt. Hermon, Mass.

Sir:

If we had launched the first satellite, can't you see the U.S.S.R. newspaper headline:

U.S. MENACES AND POLICES WORLD FROM

SPACE.—And now what can they say?

JAMES G. SCARFF Oriente, Cuba

Sir:

The successful launching of the first American satellite is a memorable day not only for the U.S. but also for the lovers of peace and freedom the world over. At last, half of the world sleeps safer now.

J. GLASBERG Kfar Barukh, Israel

Paulists Pro & Con

Sir:

I take vehement objection to your implicit characterization of the Paulist fathers [Feb. 3] as an "American Missionary Group" employing "American techniques." Many prominent Catholics find their tactlessness and indiscretions revolting. Their real aim is to make every free nation a vassal state of the Vatican.

VINCENT SHEPPARD Brooklyn

Sir:

The Paulists have used the Sword of the Spirit for a century with dexterity and dutifulness.

You have given them a stab in the back.

DAN MOOR

Midland Park, NJ.

Smooth Flight

SIR: