LETTERS

The Real Henry Wade?



I read with interest the article in your June edition on Henry Wade. Jim Atkinson correctly portrayed the lawyer and politician in Mr. Wade, but I am afraid he missed the man.

Henry Wade is a paradox, an extremely complex man whose folksy ways will lull you into a false sense of superiority just before he gets what he wants from you. The first time I met him, I was fresh out of law school and was handling one of the few criminal cases of my career. The most logical course of action, it seemed to me at the time, was to go discuss the case with The Man.

When I entered his office, I was surprised that he did not close the door since I had told him in advance that I wished to talk about a criminal matter then pending.

But the thing that happened next was the most surprising of all: During the middle of our amiable conversation, Mr. Wade leaned to his left, picked up a metal trash can, leaned over and threw up his coffee – or so I thought. 1 immediately jumped to my feet and asked if I could assist him in any way. After he had finished, he simply stared at me as though I were crazy, and it was at this time that I realized that he had not thrown up but rather had rid himself of the cigars he chews rather than smokes. It was also at this time, upon closer inspection, that I realized that what I thought were pin stripes on his shirt were actually tobacco streaks.

Another thing you should know about Henry Wade is that he cheats. I have never played golf with anyone who lies as much as he. The last time I played golf with him was in Hot Springs, Arkansas, when he and the late Tommy Tompkins and I played a round. Tommy was an investigator with the District Attorney’s Office and also a very close friend of Mr. Wade’s. They often played golf together but Tommy had long since refused to play for money because he knew, no matter what, he would lose. Mr. Wade would find a way to cheat him on every hole. That, or psych him to the point that Tommy could not hit the ball.

One hole will illustrate how far Mr. Wade will go to win, even when there is no money down. On par 4, with a water trap, Tommy and I stood side-by-side as we saw Mr. Wade’s third shot sail right in the middle of a small pond. There was no way that he could have possibly played out. Tommy and 1 hit onto the green and waited for Mr. Wade to do likewise. When he got on the green, Tommy asked what shot he was playing. He said he laid 4. Tommy and I looked at one another and asked how in the world that could be since he had hit into the water and had to play a new ball. He replied that he had not played a new ball but through a miracle of all miracles, his ball had landed on one of the large lily pads at the edge of the water and he hit directly off of the vegetation and onto the green. There was no use arguing with him.

A. Don Crowder

Crowder, Mattox & Morris

Attorneys and Counselors

Dallas



New Light on Electric Costs



Foul! None of us in Dallas minds being compared to Washington, D.C., Washington -on-the-Brazos, or another city. Dallas will always look good.

But we at DP&L must protest your comparison of electric costs between Dallas and Washington (“Everybody’s Business,” May). The figure for Dallas ($39.17 for 1000 kilowatt-hours) reflected basic rates and fuel adjustment for March 1977. But your D.C. cost must have been for some other month. When you compare apples with apples, you’ll find that 1000 kwh. including fuel adjustment, at that time cost $39.69 in Washington, not the $22.75 you had in your article.

We’ll compare Dallas’ electric rates with anybody’s so long as the comparisons are accurate.

Ray Ward

Manager Communications Services

Dallas Power & Light Company



Dashing to Respond



I have just come from an elan staff meeting, called to discuss David Bauer’s article on elan (May 1977). When the chuckles subsided, serious attention was given to our response, which follows:

(I.) “Frenchy-poo” is not a viable alternative as a name for our club. The feeling is that the suggestion was less than serious. Further – if “elan” comes out “Elaine’s,” think what would happen to “joie”! elan stays, but thanks anyway.

(2.) “Dashing”, “Genteel”, and “Impeccable” are nice upbeat words. “Dashing” may have some drawbacks. There may be a tendency to conjure up a reindeer with an almost similar name, or an imported auto, but tied to “Genteel” and “Impeccable.” doesn’t it really come off like Eduardo Mata, or Kim Dawson, or Dick Hitt?

(3.) That library fiasco . . . upside down books! Definitely unimpeccable! We would stand on our heads to satisfy our guests, but not to read copies of the Federalist Digest. A blot on our escutcheon!

(4.) Backgammon can be replaced, and is, daily, by oysters on the half shell and tens of other delights for our magnificent daily lunches. (A movable feast.)

The élan staff invites you to join all the dashing, genteel impeccables who seem to like élan the way it is … and if we can make it better, we will. Have at us!

Robert R. Allison

General Manager, élan

Dallas



A Vote (or Mattox



Thumbs down to Congressman Mattox (May issue)? I take it that you oppose common situs, which is certainly your right. But you overlooked Mr. Mattox’s voting record, which is the best one going. How have the other Texas congressmen fared as far as attendance goes in comparison to Mr. Mattox? What news do you have for us about Do-Nothing Dale or the Other Jim?

Obviously this will never find its way into print, because I suspect you of being one of those dollar-inspired Republican publications that endorsed a woman for the Fifth District whose only qualifications were being a former school board member and a housewife.



James M. King

Dallas



Corrections:



While peeking into some 110 local paychecks last month, we should have looked as carefully at the names and titles as we did at the figures. James F. Chambers is chairman of the board of the Dallas Times Herald Printing Company, not publisher. W. Ray Wallace is president of Trinity Industries, not Texas Industries. The name of Louis Beecherl Jr., chairman of Texas Oil & Gas Corporation was misspelled. Our apologies to these gentlemen.