LETTERS

Wise and Otherwise

Just a few words of belated praise for your coverage of Mayor Wes Wise. But the only detail that eludes me is why it has taken the Dallas press corps so long to catch on to the shallowness of the fellow.

Charles W. Ferguson



Jim Atkinson’s story of Mayor Wes Wise was cowardly and a cheap shot. Atkinson took advantage of the situation knowing full well there is no way for Mayor Wise to reply. The article does a disservice to the City of Dallas and is in the worst possible taste. It is a classic example of yellow journalism.

Morris I. Jaffe



Plano Prexy Writes

John Merwin assured me when he interviewed me for his article in your January issue on the University of Piano that he would be fair in his reporting. His article was not. From his very first characterization of me as a “right-wing Republican” and throughout most of the article the innuendoes and tag words were all bitingly unfair to the university, its faculty and work.



My role as chief counsel to the U. S. Senate Internal Security Subcommittee extended for five years, four years under Democratic control and one under Republican. Far from being “right-wing, ” every one of its investigations and reports, unanimously supported by the 15-member Senate Judiciary Committee, received widespread labor support and was explicitly praised even by the Washington representative of the Civil Liberties Union.



Space does not allow me to cite the many other distortions of fact. There is one sentence that must be expressly retracted: “And said the HUD official whom I contacted just to ask about land financing in Piano: ’Oh yes, I’ve heard about that guy (Morris). I’ve heard he takes his half off the real estate sales first and then leaves the school what’s left. ’ “



Since I scrupulously obey Texas law on the administration of the university and since what this HUD official said of my actions would be illegal, the statements are clearly libelous. I ask for your retraction of this specific item in a generally unfair article.

Robert Morris

President

University of Piano



(ED: We stand by the article on the University of Piano as an accurate appraisal of the institution and its present circumstances: (1) our use of “right wing” was not meant to apply to the Senate Judiciary committee, but to Dr. Morris. The term is descriptive, not perjorative. It was applied not as an innuendo or a tag word but as a direct and accurate statement; (2) we describe Dr. Morris as a Republican because he has been a candidate for public office three times in the Republican primary; (3) The HUD official’s statement regarding Dr. Morris was made, and published, to demonstrate the extent to which rumors concerning his conduct have spread. It was not intended to be a statement of fact. We clearly stated that Dr. Morris is, indeed, his university’s biggest benefactor. We also made it quite clear that we found no evidence to substantiate the rumors surrounding the acquisition of land by the university. )



Sing On

The article by David Ritz, “Opera as Salvation” ( December) is worth the price of a subscription. I found it not only interesting, but very moving.

Carol Bozzetti



Remember Kurtz

The Article “Of Mikes and Men” was interesting, but obviously incomplete. One bright young sportscaster who is before the public seven days a week was totally ignored. The writer seemed purposefully to leave out Bob Kurtz, the man who does the weekend sports on Channel 4 and who also is the Sports Director of KVIL Radio. Kurtz doesn’t just give the news, he has a working knowledge of most sports and sports figures, and is not afraid to state his opinions. He makes sports news interesting and entertaining; I for one was very disappointed that he was not even mentioned in an article on sportscasters.

Dee Sanders



For Shame; No Sham

Your February issue ignored the man who originated sports talk shows and sports trivia in Dallas. He covers the Cowboys for Pro Football Weekly, has done radio and TV soccer, basketball, hockey and NTSU football. He is articulate and perhaps the most knowledgeable sports-caster in Dallas.

We re talking about WRR’s Brad Sham. You owe his fans an explanation and an apology.

Mr. and Mrs. L. Schecter



Nuts to Health Nut

As a result of your magazine’s recommendation, my family visited The Health Nut because we like natural foods. However, we were extremely disappointed to say the least.

While the food was good, the portions served were meager, and the prices outrageous for what was served. The Health Nut posts no menu so you do not realize how you are being ripped off until you get the bill.

After spending $9 for lunch, my family-had to come home and look for something to carry us through until dinner. The only thing our children could say was “What a gyp!” I agree.

Deanna Kaster

Doman Response

I regret that your magazine has slipped into the trap of careless reporting by not checking on facts. The former president of the American Academy of Pediatrics not only denied having condemned The Institutes (for the Achievement of Human Potential), but indeed, said that at the absolute worst, their statement concerning The Institutes might be considered a “left-handed compliment. “

The false rumor that The Institutes have been condemned by anybody began as a product of an untrue statement made by two malicious individuals without the slightest foundation in truth. Unhappily eight organizations were duped into signing this “cautionary statement, ” about The Institutes. Most of the organizations which were duped into signing this false statement have either disassociated themselves with the statement or have published “clarifications” of their positions.



Glenn Doman

Director

The Institutes for the

Achievement of Human Potential

Philadelphia



Dig Deeper

In your January issue, the article “Saving on Meat and “Paters, ” I find the recommendations on procedures misleading. A tiller can work to much greater depth than 4 inches as the article stated (that’s barely scratching the surface) and any good tiller should be able to go as deep as 12 inches.

Ideally, you would want to remove your grass first with a sodcutter (not side-cutter) also available for rental at the approximate rate of $5 to $6 per hour. (There is usually a minimum rental of 2 to 3 hours for most lawn equipment. ) You can remove about 1500 square feet of sod in an hour. Next, till your ground where the sod has been removed, then add loam, sand and peat moss and till again.

Your equipment rental would total about $25. 00 for getting “started right for the best results” and it need not be as costly as the article suggested.



Mrs. R. A. Firnberg



Arlington Wins Again

How could you give our lovely Greenhouse to Arlington (“They Want Your Body, ” February)? This is only one of Grand Prairie’s outstanding facilities, but we do not want you to give it away. Please put it back where it belongs -in Grand Prairie.

Kathleen Johnson



(ED: It’s in Arlington-1171 107th St., to be exact. As we once warned, you’ve been Metroplexed.)