for pride, nor should ONE be proud to read them either. There is so much to be done, and the task is obviously beset with supreme difficulties. Everyone concerned is called upon to contribute his best effort.

There is no reason to believe that ONE and the Society cannot go forward, each in its own way, but with maximum mutual support, trust and respect. Each needs the other, and God knows that the people for whom we are battling need both. Any broad view of the situation and its problems must reach this conclusion.

As a movement, the Mattachine Idea is evolving steadily. The editors of ONE have an obligation to explain these developments to readers of the magazine. Undoubtedly, ONE's first reaction is that those in the Society who think they know the answers about what's going on should write it and submit it for publication. That is fair and logical. There is a good chance it will be done if the character and tone of ONE becomes compatible with the principles of the Society."

At the present time, the Society is investigating the possibility of launching its own publication. It would be aimed chiefly at telling members, friends and the public the story of the Mattachine Movement and report its progress from month to month. While such a publication is not presently viewed as competitive to ONE, it naturally would to some extent invade ONE's field, with criticisms of newspaper and magazine articles, book reviews, letters and other such features which ONE now carries.10

ONE should advocate restraint, good manners, responsibility and decency in public. These things, when practiced, erase most of the barriers of acceptance faced by a majority of the minority.

Instead, ONE frequently is guilty of practicing the very things (witness the December issue) which it should criticize-if it expects to accomplish anything for the deviant. The present tone of the magazine will bring only the success that comes because of sensationalism rather than worthwhile accomplishment. There is lots of such sensational stuff on newsstands today, and it appears ONE is determined to join the pack.

In conclusion, let's not make inaccurate statements in ONE, such as the Mattachine Society"...does not appear to hold with any of the purposes which motivate this magazine" and so on. Be responsible enough to know the facts a primary rule in journalism, homosexual or otherwise, which ONE's editor failed to observe. Look into the facts, and present them.13

Please let's not criticize the Mattachine. Society in the pages of ONE until your readers. have been told exactly what the Society isfairly and justly, without the color of personalities which have entered into an organizational split within the past few months.

If ONE is determined to tell its readers that which in its opinion-is bad about the Mattachine Society, it should also be fair enough to tell its readers that which is good about the Society. To deny that there is anything good about the Society is the same as denying that ONE itself has embraced a worthwhile cause, for the aim is the same.

It is a cardinal principle of every fair organ of mass communication to present both sides of a controversy; to give equal space and consideration to opposing points of view.

Is the staff of ONE that mature?11 THE MATTACHINE SOCIETY Sincerely yours,

KEN BURNS, Chairman

1. The Editors suggest the writer consult an attorney on these points.

2. See ONE Jan. '53, April '53, Nov. '53 and Jan. '54 and the letters in each issue for items of national and international interest regarding entrapment, corruption or prejudice.

3. Those who get caught deserve it?

4. The Editor must be forgiven for taking this description as a personal tribute.

5. There must be incentive for withstanding "the searing spotlight". What does the Mattachine and ONE offer this potential membership in return for the "risk entailed"?

6. ONE constantly asks for manuscripts and prints every word made available by the Mattachine. 7. Inaccurate.

8. Nor can we list the hundreds of great and near great who subscribe, endorse and laud ONE. 9. Could this be construed to mean that if ONE suddenly develops good taste, gentlemanly mildness and wholehearted endorsement of the Mattachine, that it will again submit a manuscript with the "character and tone" of this one?

10. The Editors not only welcome the Mattachine into the publishing business, we BEG you to join in! 11. "Ethics" was dropped from the Mattachine preamble and the code mentioned has been given the full treatment in each issue of ONE. Be it noted that the article suggesting homosexual marriage as a concession to society was thoroughly damned by the leaders of the Mattachine. 12. ONE never has and never will advocate sexual license for homosexual or heterosexual, for the editors of ONE or the leaders of the Mattachine.

13. Read that sentence again, Buster. It's not a news item: it's an expression of editorial opinion such as you have been enjoying for several pages now.

14. Must be. We printed it.

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