Letters

The views expressed here are those of the writers. ONE's readers cover a wide range of geographical, economic, age, and educational status. This department aims to express this diversity.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Dear ONE:

Probably someone like myself, who has spent his whole business and professional life in dealing with organizations and public affairs, has a greater understanding of what you have been able to accomplish just by being able to enter into your fourteenth year as an organization than might some other of your Members. Although somewhat new as a Member

I can read between the lines and well imagine what it has meant in persistence, courage, sheer determination and ingenuity. These qualities are needed in any organization but how much more so in our own crowd! When I was in your office not long ago I was struck by the fact that even though your quarters are spacious and airy their appearance could stand improvement-I don't know exactly what but surely some of your talented local Members could come up with some good ideas.

So, as my way of saying Happy Birthday to our "teen-age ONE" I enclose my check for $500.00 to be used for dressing up your headquarters.

Sirs:

Mr. S. Detroit, Michigan

Under separate cover I am sending you my complete Gay Library. It will be quite a few boxes. By adding to "our" Library many more people can now use them. I believe my collection is pretty complete of most modern and semi-modern Gay Literature up to about a year when the avalanche of books made this impractical. Even in my sixteen room house space was not readily available for all of them.

I also enclose a check for $100.00 and wish I could send more. I glory in your work and wish I were living nearer so that I could help more.

Dr. K

Wisconsin

EDITOR'S NOTE: This splendid gift of nearly three hundred volumes to the Blanche M.

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Baker Library has greatly enriched its resources, notably in fiction, and represents most tastefully catholic selectivity. The Corporation's deep thanks have been expressed to this far-away Member. It It is Friends of ONE (Members) such as Dr. K., who demonstrate for us all what Membership means.

Dear Teen-age ONE:

So you are just turning fourteen? Many happy returns and here is a small check to help you celebrate. I am sure I don't have to warn such a teen-ager as yourself that, for most of the time, discretion is the better part of valor, as the old saying goes. But you already have shown me that you have a wisdom beyond your years. On the other hand, don't get too stuffy either. Some teen-agers are pretty solemn and get overly intense about things. I see them on TV, sitting-in and sitting-out and taking themselves awfully seriously.

you

Be foolish once and a while, just plain youthful and in good spirits. It won't hurt a bit-never hurt me when I was fourteen. And that was one hell of a long time ago-sigh (as they say in "Peanuts"). Mr. G.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

READERS ON WRITERS Dear Alan Scott:

I liked your poignant story "A Broken Bow" (Magazine, September '65). It is a moving account of a little boy, yet not sentimental; it is realistic, but not quite without hope.

Dear ONE:

Mr. L. Columbia, Missouri

In a note from that "otherone" which came not long ago I noted a sentence referring to their efforts: "for the first time a mature and literate journal reflecting the homosexual point of view appeared." (Sic!) After reading the September ONE Magazine, in particular the completely pertinent major review by R. H. Crowther of the book "Sexual Inversion" and the most moving homophile story-with-substance that I perhaps