BOOKS

21 Variations on a Theme by Donald Webster Cory, Greenberg, $3.75.

The obvious limitation of any short story collection is that every reader cannot be expected to agree with the choice of selection. But Donald Webster Cory in his latest book 21 Variations on a Theme has chosen with particular care in order to have as wide an appeal as possible. In the collection, 21 authors ranging from De Maupassant to Isherwood examine, from their various attitudes, the subject of homosexuality.

And not all of them are favorable in their view as is shown in Stanley Kauffman's Fulvous Yellow. Guy De Maupassant is represented by Paul's Mistress in a new translation by Mr. Cory which is heavy and awkward although it may be an improvement over the earlier. Paul Verlaine is represented by a delightful short short hitherto unpublished in English and likewise translated by Mr. Cory. Some others included in the contents

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1953

Springfield, Ill., April 21 (CTPS).-More people would be in jail than out, if all sex laws were effectively enforced, according to a report filed today by the legislative commission on sex offenders.

Ten legislators compiled the report with the aid of 150 volunteers from the fields of law, medicine, social work, psychology, education, anthropology, and law enforcement. Few Are Dangerous

"A substantial body of scientific data exists which dictates that sexual conduct of the socially distasteful kind characterizes such a large portion of the population that if the laws were enforced effectively there likely would be more people in jail than out," the report said.

are such notables as Henry James, Isabel Bolton, Stephen Spender, D. H. Lawrence, James T. Farrell, and Wm. Carlos Williams. Mr. Williams is responsible for so many wonderful things, it must have been especially hard to make a selection in his case.

The last story in the collection is The Priest and the Acolyte by Oscar Wilde. This famous story is followed by testimony from the trial of Wilde on "The Priest and The Acolyte." This is presented, it is claimed, to prove "incontrovertibly" that the story was actually not written by Oscar Wilde. Of course it doesn't settle the matter so completely as that. Contrary to Wilde's testimony we think the story is beautiful no matter who wrote it.

The reader may not like all the selections; but it does give him a chance, within the covers of one book, to see how writers of various merit and outlook have handled this controversial subject.

D. S.

The commission found no "warrant for hysteria," regarding the sex problem. Relatively few sex offenders are dangerous, and the minor offenders do not as a rule graduate into dangerous offenders, it said.

Homosexual acts in public places without force should be classed as misdemeanors. As to acts committed in private, the commission made no recommendation. However, it observed there is no penalty for such private acts in France and Italy.

The commission recommended mandatory examination by a proposed state diagnostic service of those involved in cases of forci-

ble rape, aggressive homosexuality or the sexual molestation of children.

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