as in other dailies. The open frankness of the speakers stunned listeners, it seems, not so much for what they said, as for the fact they came out and admitted, "so I am homosexual, so what?"

Wicker's organization, probably little more than a oneman committee, got mention more than once because of the sheer audacity of its spokesman who knew no doors too formidable to enter, even if the stay inside was exceedingly brief. Later he announced it had combined with the New York Mattachine, but the name still crops up now and then.

On the basis of present contact and communication, New York Mattachine represents a paradox of sorts from the viewpoint of the Mattachine Society itself. Here is centered the strongest attitude of independence from a parent organization--in fact, in many respects New York Mattachine ap pears to some to be a youngster which misunderstood its parent, and when it was suggested that it take off from home, did so in no uncertain terms. But it took the name with it (NYMS has consistently claimed title to the name over objections) with equal defiance, and continued on its way. Only recently has there been evidence of a reviving spirit of a working friendship. Nevertheless in the period from early 1961 to the present, New York Mattachine has steadfastly maintained a fine program of public education and public relations which has in many ways surpassed its accomplishment during the years 1956-1961 when it was an Area Council.

Regularly scheduled have been public addresses, held mostly in Freedom House, at which the names of leading men and women from many areas of literature and the be havioral sciences were presented as people who had an important message. The New York Mattachine Newsletter, now in its ninth year, has grown to small magazine size and has maintained consistently good content. Aid in the form of valuable sponsorship has been given to other organizations nearby--the Janus Society and Washington Mattachine--to help these groups get going, and a strong bond of mutual assistance and friendship seems to exist among them today, as witness the joint 1963 ECHO Conference at Philadelphia. Located in proximity to publishers and writers, New York Mattachine has generally been able to obtain first knowledge mattachine REVIEW

of forthcoming books, and has been interviewed about as much for information about the homosexual as any other organization in the movement. Its fund drives have been successful and an apparently good business management has characterized the organization and its work. Neverthe less it still maintains a brief office schedule, although its working committees and discussion groups are in session more hours a month than the indicated evening and Saturday afternoon office schedule indicates.

Both in advertising submitted as well as in editorial copy interviews, New York Mattachine is probably most instru mental for cracking the "silence barrier" long imposed by New York Times about homosexuality. That newspaper advertised the ECHO Conference last fall, in both local and Western editions, and gave considerable space to the Mattachine viewpoint in an article which investigated the growth · of overt homosexuality in New York, published in December 1963. A fine working relationship is maintained with a board of professional advisors and continued interest in the organization comes from many persons nationally known in the fields of sexology and related disciplines.

Astronomer Franklin Kameny heads the Washington Mattachine, and here again significant attention has been gained on the national scene for the homophile movement. It may not all be labeled "victory" at this time, but at least an im pact has been felt.

In cooperation with others, Dr. Kameny was granted an interview with Pentagon spokesmen concerned with person nel procurement for the purpose of challenging the government's policy towards homosexuals in the armed forces and for civil service and government employment. Challenges to the policy in the form of suits are in progress by both Dr. Kameny and Richard Schlagel (of Central Janus at Har risburg, Pa.).

But most astonishing has been the interest Washington Mattachine has created through the impassioned efforts of one Representative Dowdy of Texas during the past year. Learning that Washington Mattachine was licensed to solicit funds in the District of Columbia for charitable and educa tional purposes, Rep. Dowdy first took to the floor of Con gress to denounce the organization, then drew up a bill (H