state agency as well as several committees of Congress and certain individuals to examine confidential records of public agencies, has been a frightening bit of news. The Mattachine Society of N.Y. in a brochure entitled "V.D. Is No Camp" has been advising its homosexual readers that "If you get VD, co-operate with the Department of Health. Records are entirely confidential." They even go on to say, although it is hard to believe, "Give them [health officials] the names and addresses of your sex contacts. Their health will be protected and your name will never be revealed." So its okay to sell the other guy down the river because no one will ever know you did it. This, unfortunately, has been the general attitude.

Those individuals and groups who have allowed themselves to be persuaded either by the profit motive or fast-talking public officials that things like pen pal clubs, introduction services, and public records are secure and private will now have to start talking out of the other side of their mouths. And indeed they are. One of the leading commercial pen pal exploiters had this to say only last month: "The U. S. Post Office has successfully prosecuted every individual who has attempted to operate a male pen pal club.

"The U. S. Post Office has always secured the membership lists of such clubs, and the results have been little short of catastrophic for those who had participated in such pen pal activities." Of course. The commercial pen pal club does not have the welfare of its homosexual clientele at heart. It is only out to make a fast buck. It doesn't matter that back in 1953 in the Rumely case the U. S. Supreme Court denied the right of the government to have access to publisher's mailing lists. Another strictly commercial directory service which had long lists of known homosexuals and has for years prospered at the homosexual's expense now offers this belated caution: "The Service has been permanently discontinued

"We are taking this action because we have no wish to see the respectable persons who used the Readers' Service in good taste hurt by the actions of the irresponsible few who take adantage of this type of service to injure others." Better late than never. But back in 1959 ONE Magazine had this to say on the subject. "A number of inexperienced persons around the country, not knowing the serious legal issues involved, and without any guarantee of proper safeguards, are starting such clubs. If such a thing is to be done, it had best be done responsibly. Proper supervision of such contacts is needed to prevent the abuses we suspect may result." And in 1961 we editorialized we have reason to believe that first-class mail is no longer private, that it is being opened by postal inspectors . . . ." ONE's stand is simple. We believe that the first-class stamp on a letter should seal it from prying eyes. We believe that any man who wants to write 3 and 4 letter words and send dirty pictures to friends who are willing to receive them should be allowed to do so. It is nobody's business what is sent sealed first-class. This right to privacy should be guaranteed. And snoopers beware! But public records are public records, and a man who wants to keep his sex life confidential should go to private practitioners not public ones. Furthermore, a homosexual has a moral obligation not to tell on anyone else. We welcome any indication that others may be ready to share our point of view.

Don Slater, Editor