Letters, Aug. 31, 1931

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What the public and most newspaper men do not know about this situation or about the fortunes of the Kansas City Journal-Post would fill a very large book. Some few of them do know, however, that during the last two years, or since January 1, 1929, under strict management and careful operation the Journal-Post has materially reduced operating expenses and that during the calendar year of 1931 the curves of revenue and expense will cross for the first time in several years.

That will happen and would have happened even if the present arrangement with Mr. Doherty had never been made. We, therefore, suggest that time, rather than TIME, be judge of the outcome of this venture.

. . . Kansas City Star-Times within the last two months was seriously considering the possibility of purchasing the Journal-Post or assisting some one else in so doing; the only barrier being the difficulty of keeping secret their entry into what would have been a newspaper monopoly in a city of this size.

Their switch from satisfaction on our completion of an arrangement for purchase that might have limited the Journal-Post management as to funds and sinews of war (incidentally keeping off other foreign unmeasured competitors) to their present attitude is consistent with the resentment they have always felt whenever a competitive newspaper has shown signs of making progress. An inquiry among unbiased newspaper men anywhere will reveal this to be true.

W. LAURENCE DICKEY Editor

The Journal-Post Kansas City, Mo.

Doherty &. Raymond's

Sirs:

Is a telegram such an event in TIME'S editorial office that you must have each wire-letter set in caps? Henry L. Doherty's comment in the Aug. 10 number looks like a Raymond's ad. Do you really expect us to read half a column of caps without thinking mean things about you? And won't you keep unnecessary caps out of your stories?

HARRY P. GROSSMAN

P. S. In case you don't know or have forgotten. Raymond's. Boston's noted store of the gaspipe racks was described in FORTUNE, May, 1930. Typical Raymondisms: Puttygoodshirts luggemoff; erhelluverfinebunch ladies undies; whereubotthehat.

Maiden, Mass.

When correspondents to TIME take the trouble and expense to telegraph their communications. TIME will continue to print such communications, if TIME-worthv, as received.—ED.

Frogs Eat Ducks -?

Sirs:

In your issue of Aug. 10 you mention under "Duck Moratorium?" that some factors contributing to duck mortality are "Turtles, hawks and even large fish. ..." I wish to add an additional factor. Several years ago I shot a large bullfrog. When preparing the same for the skillet I found a young wild duck in the frog's stomach. Mr. Bullfrog is not so innocent as he looks.

G. F. SPEER

Milwaukee, Wis.

When preparing "Duck Moratorium?" TIME heard bullfrogs mentioned as occasional eaters of ducklings but, in the absence of specific proof, omitted frogs from the list of duck enemies. Last fortnight a frog was reported as having drowned a robin (TIME, Aug. 24). TIME will welcome news of other frog feats.—ED.

Charivarists' Bowl

Sirs: