-and that was enough.

Our friend who sent us the clippings on the above travesty, Mr. R. D. of London, sent along a succinct transmittal letter that said: "Well, well, what price murder in London these days?"

FLORIDA, INQUISITIONLAND, NOT VACATIONLAND:

It looks like at long last some responsible people in Florida waking up to the dangerous McCarthyism of their notorious Johns Legislative Investigating Committee. Miami's THE HERALD says there is "broadening criticism" stemming from the arrest of a political writer on a morals charge who claims it was just smear tactics, and that responsible lawmakers wonder about the motive behind the arrest.

Under fire is the Committee's Chief Investigator, R. J. Strickland, who "refused to be interviewed by THE HERALD" so the paper promptly did some investigating of the investigator.

They found (anybody recognize the type?) he was short, hefty, "with low forehead" and "a massive, stern jaw," bullnecked, and with a "cold stare." He started as a truckdriver. He then got a job as a deputy to a sheriff (who says he fired the man "for the good of the department" but Strickland insists he resigned). From there he went to State Beverage Department, where he lasted 18 days (the director says the man was "forced to resign" because they didn't like his methods, but Strickland claims he just resigned). Next he got a job as head of Tallahassee's Vice Squad, then jumped to the Committee.

Last October the Florida Supreme Court threw out the revocation of teaching certificates for 3 teachers accused of homosexual activities because the State Board of Education

relied upon a so-called investigation by an investigator" (Strickland).

Also influential in the anti-McCarthyism movement in Florida have been the "state universities, their supporting groups, and university legislators" who were "outraged" by the Committee's actions. The Committee had originally been set up to investigate subversive activities but never really blossomed until it decided to investigate homosexuality, especially in universities.

Homophiles should NOT take the above as meaning the danger has lessened in Florida. The Committee is only starting to be "criticized" but it hasn't let up one whit in arrests. (A 36-year-old Pensacola Rabbi was one of many snared in Tallahassee's current purge.)

Our suggestion where to vacation: ANYWHERE BUT FLORIDA. A gay person that'd spend a dime in that state should have his or her head examined.

OF MANY THINGS, OF CABBAGES AND QUEENS:

Cecil Beaton's new campy book, QUAIL IN ASPIC, is amply illustrated with photos by ample Elsa Maxwell done up as "Count Korsetz"... The N. Y. Civil Liberties Union is legally fighting the State Liquor Authority's closing of Greenwich Village's Cafe Bohemia on the grounds that homosexuals were "congregating" on its premises. . . . One gossip. columnist says Brigitte Bardot at a party slapped a girl claiming the girl had made passes at her — and another one says Bardot is collecting stares by going around with a 250-lb. lesbian who works out with weights each morning. . . . A Madison Avenue advertising research corporation testing male response to TV commercials found a romantic appeal is more effective when it of-