A Letter From The Publisher, Sep. 8, 1952

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But Bell and Richardson must constantly visit their news sources, travel about three weeks of every month. With 90 extra pages added to the normal 48 pages of his passport, Bell now carries that bulky document in a briefcase. To keep visas valid for quick take-offs to new trouble spots, both men apply for new visas immediately on returning from any country. At first, legation officials objected: "But you've just come back." But now, reports Richardson: "They know us and treat us like commuters buying a new monthly ticket for the 8:05." On a recent return to Beirut, the first two questions asked Richardson by his three year old daughter, Hilary, were: "Where have you been, daddy? . . . Where are you going, daddy?"

Bell came near to developing an inferiority complex once when interviewing a Kurdish chieftain in his mud hut near the Russian border. When the tribesman asked how many wives and sons he had, Bell owned up to one of each. Said the chieftain: "That makes me twice the man you are. I have two wives and two sons." Back in his headquarters in Beirut this week, Bell is feeling better about his social status. With the arrival of the Richardson, the TIME bureau, at least, can boast of two wives.

Cordially yours,