will continue to drop off (there are now approximately fifty members) as long as the individual gets nothing for attending long meetings except a new phone number now and then. The Mattachine must prove itself worthy of the bother.

Finally the leadership must stop being afraid. They think they're doing wrong.

and, in their legal ignorance, tremble like bunnies. They are not! They, in demanding rights and respect for the homosexual, are performing an historic job, a magnificent job. They must either give over the reins to braver, more capable hands or stand up and fight. There is no other choice.

Jeff Winters

MATTACHINE SOCIETY OFFICE OF THE COORDINATING COUNCIL

OAKLAND

POST OFFICE BOX 851 OAKLAND 4, CALIFORNIA

LOS ANGELES

POST OFFICE BOX 1925 MAIN POST OFFICE

LOS ANGELES 53, CALIFORNIA.

December 20, 1953

Editor-in-Chief

"One" Magazine

232 S. Hill Street

Los Angeles 12, Calif.

Dear sir:

In order that we may clarify the record, we wish to call your attention to several discrepancies regarding the Mattachine Society in your November 1953 issue.

It was incorrectly stated through a clerical error in our letter of October 26, 1953 that the Mattachine Society was presenting an honorary membership award to "One". Instead, the Society presented an Honor Award to "One" based upon its "active promotion of individual freedom and education in the human community". This does not constitute membership in the Mattachine Society. Honorary membership in the Society can only be conferred after representatives of the membership have voted it in accordance with the by-laws.

You also mention that Paul Coates and Florabel Muir of the Los Angeles "Mirror" have been uncooperative, if not opposed, to the Mattachine Society. The Society since its inception in May 1953 has had no contact whatever with either of these persons, and, to our knowledge, they have written nothing concerning this Society. The Mattachine Foundation, which is no longer, did have some contact with these people. The Mattachine Society, however, does not consider itself the inheritor of the actions of the members of the old Foundation. The Mattachine Society stands on its own record which, we are sure "One" will agree, is one that all of society may be justly proud.

Sincerely yours, KEN BURNS Chairman

P.S.: We have not overlooked your letter of September 2, 1953, but we have been quite busy since our convention. We look forward to continued cooperation on our common goal.

one

K.H.B.

page 8