Letters, Jun. 26, 1939

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Royal Visit (cont'd)

Sirs:

I disagree with the gentlemen in Montreal [TIME, June 5] regarding your reporting of the Royal tour. I think you are doing a fine job, in fact an excellent job all round. . . . WM. R. HADDOCK Toronto, Ont.

Sirs:

Lest your spirit be bruised by articulate flat-footed imperialists, let me say that TIME'S objective coverage of the Royal Visit was TIMEly. The Canadian press, usually independent, fell flat on its face in the wave of hysteria which trailed the visit from coast to coast. "She smiled" and the press took over the role of angels. . . .

As district correspondent for seven years from Toronto to Vancouver, I sent off an account of their stop at Field near the crest of the Rockies. They had motored from Banff to Lake Louise, to Field, where their train awaited them, over one of the most spectacular drives in the world.

My account of it commented on what a rest it must have been to them to stare at this magnificent, regal mountain splendor, unwatched, after consistently playing the other role. It concluded with the remark that Mount Donald which towers over Field was cloud-capped during the visit and did not uncover for "God Save the King."

My story was ignored, even by the local weekly for which I work, and which is distinctly "folksy."

Maybe it's just sour grapes, but go ahead, I like it.

NANCY PERLEY MILES Cranbrook, B. C.

Sirs:

TIME, June 5, publishes -two letters from Montreal criticizing your reporting, in the issues of May 15 and 29, of the Royal Visit to Canada.

Mr. W. B. Harper evidently does not like having his Sovereigns "de-bunked." Had he read TIME as long as the writer, he would have known, 1) that TIME does not always go abroad to be "raw," "fresh" and "Smart Aleck," 2) that TIME, in its wisdom, has never hesitated to get under people's skins.

The article seems to the writer well calculated to inform your readers as to the present status of the British Crown, particularly as a constitutional device to unify the Empire.

I wish distinctly to take issue with Mr. Harper on the value of TIME to a Canadian reader: while its cover of Canadian news is grossly inadequate, and often trivial, TIME does beat the newspapers; examples: 1) the rise of Anthony Eden in British politics, (TIME was at least six months ahead of the newspapers), 2) I'Affaire Simpson. . . .

You should know that Mayor Houde, who seems in the past year to have become TIME-worthy, "wowed" Their Majesties. Antic: opening conversation at the banquet here by studying, as he sat between them, a list of conventions prepared for him which included the one that he must not open the conversation. . . .

GORDON D. McKAY

Montreal, Canada

Cope v. Franco

Sirs: