To the Readers of ONE:

This Editorial page has been taken and the following statement made necessary because of the cancellation by Continent Tour (Continental Travel Service, Inc., Los Angeles) just four days prior to scheduled departure of the long-advertised "Cruise Through Europe."

We are deeply concerned that the reputation for reliability which ONE has acquired over the years should not be jeopardized and equally concerned lest anyone attempt to take advantage of or prey upon the loyalty of ONE's world-wide readership.

It is our firm belief that this is exactly what Continental Travel Service has tried to do. We have the utmost contempt for anyone who would attempt to victimize homosexuals or try to reap financial gain at their expense.

In the fall of 1960 Newton Dieter, an officer of Continental Travel Service, came to our offices and described plans for a gay tour through Europe to be hosted by a well-known artist. The plan was to have no other magazine advertising than in ONE. Later, the services of the well-known artist became unavailable, and the proposal was made that a staff member of ONE act as host, provided his name be used in all advertising.

By this means, and the strength of ONE's well-established reputation generous offers of hospitality were received from European homophile groups. In addition, Continental Travel Service has, by its own admission, received more than three hundred inquiries concerning its services from ONE's readers.

Whether or not it was their feeling that they already had, thereby, everything they wanted from ONE, the fact remains that the tour was cancelled, as described above. This was done on the pretext that too few had signed up to make the tour profitable, despite the statement given ONE in midsummer and signed by Newton Dieter that the tour would take place in any event, even should registrations fall below the hoped-for quota.

ONE's attorney's opinion is that the above constitutes a contract. We view it as such. It is our intention to prosecute this view to the fullest possible extent. Our intention further is to make it as clear regarding commercial matters, as ONE has for years been doing concerning civil and legal rights, that homosexuals cannot be trampled under foot with impunity.

Hence we expose to fullest public view improper conduct in this case as we earlier did concerning "Paper Match," a Hollywood statuary firm (ONE, May, 1961). The homosexual public will no longer tolerate any lower standards of honesty and fair-dealing than those demanded by other segments of the population.

It is our carefully considered conclusion that Continental Travel Service and Newton Dieter have grossly violated such standards of honorable conduct and are below the level ONE's readers expect. They should be completely shunned as unreliable.

Board of Directors

ONE, Incorporated

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