So far the comments on the book by wire, mail and word of mouth. have been Favorable to Enthusiastic. So far, I have not received one bad comment on the book itself, or the play, which is a quite startling cry from some of the furious blasts that reached me from readers of my first two books and many of my articles both here and in Europe. Of course, "Fools" has had a rather exclusive circulation. By design, the book stores have not yet been used. But the one piece of information that we wanted to present to prospective buyers seems to be penetrating slowly at last: that is that here is not only a book but a collector's item that may well be worth many times. its original price, (which was deliberately kept below five dollars,) in the next few years. Slowly, the average buyer is beginning to realize that this publication may indeed be most significant handwriting on the wall, and has returned to buy additional copies with this idea in mind.

I have mailed several dozen complimentary copies to a selection of theatre and literary people, medical men, lawyers, jurors, policemen, legislators and clergymen of more progressive beliefs. The comments have been heartening to say the least.

From a theatre producer in New York, "I don't believe I've ever seen the technique of the battering ram used more effectively... but you must know you are. . . twenty years before your time. The play is not for amateurs, of course, and could make an outstanding production . . . however, I am sorry to have to ask you not to quote me at this time."

From a famous American author, "... a moving, hard hitting piece of drama and sure of a place in the history of the stage-however long may have to pass before public performance can be given. The mere

one

fact that it exists in print-and in very fine print and format-will help prize open the theatre, suppling up that arthritic proscenium arch until it can admit the parascene within its compass." Again, no permission to quote by name granted.

From a second author, equally well known, "It is a fine thing to have dared give it a tonically happy ending. There's a short story in the New Yorker this week which raises the point that Tragedy now begins to look like inability to write beyond a second act . . . but don't quote me, please!"

From a psychiatrist whose name is a household term, who (to my complete amazement, for I had thought homosexuals were the underdogs,) suggested that I discuss and try to engender more homosexual toleration for the lack of understanding among heterosexuals in future articles, "You have made an important point that, unfortunately, has remained too long neglected, and that is the fact that because homosexuals are persecuted as a whole they tend to gather in what is really a very heterogenous and unintegrated group." Alas, no permission to quote by name.

And so it goes, on and on. Everyone seems to like what we've tried to do, but no one is willing to go out on the limb of approval until a good look at the ax-men has been provided, and the distance to the ground carefully measured.

(Ah, for just one more Susan B. Anthony!)

In closing this report, I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to thank publicly ONE Corporation for one of the most satisfying and enlightening experiences of my life. The success of its first publishing venture is of small importance indeed in comparison to the questions it has answered in bringing the book out.