wish they were, nevertheless it is unusual for an underwriter to learn from any source that his applicant has this frailty; hence it would stand to reason that such people are being insured every day, and to the best of my knowledge this cannot be too great a problem as otherwise it would show up more. distinctly in the claim departments

Which doesn't seem to say much, clearly. But all prejudice aside, why should being unmarried make anyone a bad sickness-andaccident risk?

From the Letter Column of the Santa Monica INDEPENDENT (slightly condensed): "Dear Sir: I have been disturbed by references in your paper concerning 'queers' and 'fairies.' I assume that you have some idea as to how unpleasant the terms Kike, Nigger, Mick, Chink, Wop and Greaser are to Jews, Negroes, Irishmen, Chinese, Italians or Mexicans. Such terms have disappeared from most publications except for a few race hate sheets. I am surprised if you have not received letters on this matter from others who concern themselves with rights and feelings of other persons.

"Presumably it would be as difficult to convince you of the truth of what I say in the following sentences as it would be to convince a white man from Mississippi that Negroes do not smell. Where there is an emotional reaction, it is impossible to convince by mere facts. Nevertheless it is true that most homosexuals, such as I am, have no urge to be a sex criminal, have never put on a woman's dress, have no particularly feminine mannerisms and have not the slightest interest in luring young people-or heterosexuals, for that matter. Unlike some of my fellows, I consider it pretty damn important that homo-

one

sexuals have as much opportunity to feel self-respect as anyone else.

"The derogatory references in your paper help increase the guilt feelings of homosexuals who have not been able to face up to the general condemnation. This does not 'cure' such a person, but only exaggerates the problem. Secondly, your tacit support is given to any young thugs who may think it clever to beat up some effeminate chap. They may even think they are being patriotic or civic-minded. And they may imagine they can be destructive or cruel and still get a pat on the back from the police. Sincerely, Santa Monica Citizen."

COPS AND COURTS

Sometimes it doesn't pay to report attempted blackmail to the cops. A Bartow hi-school teacher, near Tampa, went to police when 3 Plant City youths tried to shake him down for $300. Result: youths put on probation; teacher lost job and now facing criminal chargescrime against nature

In Williamstown, Mass., a school teacher was brought to trial on counts of being a lewd and dissolute person and committing an unnatural act. Judge Samuel Levine withheld the defendent's name, and ordered the hearing held behind closed doors, with press and public barred. The teacher pleaded guilty and received a one-year's suspended sentence on the first charge

Are West Hollywood cops using fey hitchhikers as decoys for entrapment and adding a bit of rough stuff in case the victim doesn't come thru with the expected advances?

ODDMENTS

An odd discrepancy in the chief