Why, it is asked, did Mr. Jones have Prew recall his first homosexual contact in such a reflection that this portion of the population cannot help but suffer? When twelve, a fifty year old Jocker, as Prew thinks of him, with the aid of another, seduced and raped Prew in a moving boxcar. Later, at fifteen, Prew killed another Jocker. Mr. Jones doesn't elaborate on this, so it is left to the reader's imagination to decide whether Prew did it to roll him for his money, to defend his manly virtue, or just on general principle like the taxi-driver in the story who he hates "queers" so much he'd like to kill every one he sees.

says

Such things unfortunately do happen, but why attach the worst possible act to those already thought of as bad. Isn't it

just as logical to claim that because some negroes carry knives, we are to assume this is typical of the entire race? Or because some Jews are Shylocks, all are? Why should thousands of readers be led to believe that all homosexuals are rich

or was this just the army men's idea in Hawaii before Pearl Harbor? As a matter of fact, earning a living is probably a bigger problem with them, than it is with others.

It may seem a little late to complain of a book that has now been read by thousands but the picture has been given the Academy Award as the best of this year and a good many more people will read the novel on this recommendation.

GILBERT WILLIAMS

The Length

of a Match

Alden Kirby

Have you got a light for a cigarette

in a corner of the dark by the deeper protection

of some strange door borrowed for the moment

-

the length of a match

until the torch of reassurance

is, in silence, passed on

to extinguish the night

before her darkness descends

like the fingers

of a young gloved hand?

19