Astounding Stories of Super-Science January 1931 Page 11
_The Readers' Corner_
_A Meeting Place for Readers of ASTOUNDING STORIES_
_A Letter and Comment_
Three or four times in the year we have been issuing AstoundingStories the Editor has received letters calling attention to fanciedscientific errors in our stories. All these letters were published,but until now we have not cut in on the space of "The Readers' Corner"to answer such objections because they were very obviously the resultof hasty or inaccurate readings.
The other week one more such letter reached us--from Mr. Philip Waite,this time--claiming that there was "an atrocious flaw" in two storiesof Captain S. P. Meek's. This we could not let go unanswered, firstbecause of the strong terms used, and second because the objectionwould sound to many like a true criticism; so we turned the letterover to Captain Meek, and his answer follows Mr. Waite's letter below.
We welcome criticism of stories in our "The Readers' Corner." Neveryet have we withheld from it any criticism or brickbats ofimportance--and we never intend to. But space is limited; there's notroom now for all the good letters that come in; and we do not want tointrude too much with editorial comment. Therefore when we do not stopand answer all criticisms we are not necessarily admitting they arevalid. In most cases everyone will quickly see their lack of logic oraccuracy, and in the rest we will ask you to remember that our Staffis meticulously careful about the scientific facts and laws andpossibilities that enter our stories, so it's extremely unlikely thatanything very "atrocious" will get by.
Well, we'd better cut short now, before we take up too much "Corner"room. But first, thanks to Captain Meek for going to the trouble ofdefending two stories that needed no defense. And thanks, too, to Mr.Waite, for his kindness in writing in to inform us of what hethought--unquestionably because of hasty reading--were errors.--_TheEditor._
P. S. (Now we'll have to be _super_ careful of our science, for if Mr.Waite ever gets anything on us--!!)
Dear Editor:
Just a note to tell you to keep up the good work. There was anatrocious flaw, however, in the two stories by Capt. S. P. Meek aboutthe Heaviside Layer. How, may I ask, do meteors penetrate through thatimaginary substance which is too much for a powerful space flyer?Also, how about refraction? A substance denser than air would producerefraction that would have been noticed long ago. I don't mind minorerrors, but an author has no right to ignore the facts sooutrageously. Fiction goes too far when an author can invent suchfalse conditions.
In the latest issue "Stolen Brains" was fine, up to the Dr. Birdstandard. "The Invisible Death" was good enough, but too much like thegeneral run to be noteworthy. "Prisoners on the Electron"--couldn'tstomach it. Too hackneyed. "Jetta of the Lowlands," by Ray Cummings;nuff said. "An Extra Man"--original idea and perfectly written. One ofthe reasons I hang on to Science Fiction. A perfect gem.--PhilipWaite, 3400 Wayne Ave., New York, N. Y.
Dear Editor:
May I use enough space in your discussion columns to reply briefly tothe objections raised to the science in my two stories, "Beyond theHeaviside Layer" and "The Attack from Space"? Understand that I am notarguing that there actually is a thick wall of semi-plastic materialsurrounding the earth through which a space flyer could not pass. If Idid, I would automatically bar myself from writing interplanetarystories, a thing that is far from my desires. I do wish to point out,however, that such a layer might exist, so far as we at present know.The objections to which I wish to reply are two: first, "How dometeors pass through that imaginary substance which is too much for apowerful space flyer?" and second, "How about refraction?"
To reply to the first we must consider two things, kinetic energy andresistance to the passage of a body. The kinetic energy of a movingbody is represented by the formula 1/2 mv^2 where m is the mass of thebody and v the velocity. The resistance of a substance to penetrationof a body is expressed by the formula A f_c where A is the area of thebody in contact with the resisting medium and f_c is the coefficientof sliding friction between the penetrating body and the resistingmedium. Consider first the space flyer. To hold personnel the flyermust be hollow. In other words, m must be small as compared to A. Ameteor, on the other hand, is solid and dense with a relatively largem and small A. Given a meteor and a space flyer of the same weight,the volume of the meteor would be much smaller, and as the area incontact with the resisting medium is a function of volume, the totalresistance to be overcome by the space flyer would be much greaterthan that to be overcome by the meteor. Again, consider the relativevelocities of a meteor and a space flyer coming from the earth towardthe heaviside layer. The meteor from space would have an enormousvelocity, so great that if it got into even very rare air, it wouldbecome incandescent. As it must go through dense air, the space flyercould attain only a relatively low velocity before it reached thelayer. Remember that the velocity is squared. A one thousand poundmeteor flying with a velocity 100 times that of the space ship wouldhave 100^2 or 10,000 times the kinetic energy of the space ship whileit would also have less friction to overcome due to its smaller size.
If my critic wishes to test this out for himself, I can suggest a verysimple experiment. Take a plank of sound pine wood, two inches thickby twelve inches wide and four feet long. Support it on both ends andthen pile lead slabs onto it, covering the whole area of the board. Ifthe wood be sound the board will support a thousand pounds readily.Now remove the lead slabs and fire a 200 grain lead bullet at theboard with a muzzle or initial velocity of 1,600 feet per second. Thebullet will penetrate the board very readily. Consider the heavisidelayer as the board, the space ship as the lead slabs and the bullet asthe meteor and you have the answer.
Consider one more thing. According to the stories, the layer grewthicker and harder to penetrate as the flyer reached the outersurface. The meteor would strike the most viscous part of the layerwith its maximum energy. As its velocity dropped and its kineticenergy grew less, it would meet material easier to penetrate. On theother hand the flyer, coming from the earth, would meet material easyto penetrate and gradually lose its velocity and consequently itskinetic energy. When it reached the very viscous portion of the layer,it would have almost no energy left with which to force its waythrough. Remember, the Mercurians made no attempt to penetrate thelayer until a portion of it had been destroyed by Carpenter's genius.
As for the matter of refraction. If you will place a glass cube orother form in the air, you will have no difficulty in measuring therefraction of the light passing through it. If, however, the observerwould place himself inside a hollow sphere of glass so perfectlytransparent as to be invisible, would not the refraction he wouldobserve be taken by him to be the refraction of air when in reality itwould be the combined refraction of the glass sphere and the airaround him?
I have taken glass as the medium to illustrate this because my criticmade the statement that "a substance denser than air would producerefraction that would have been noticed long ago." However nowhere ineither story is the statement made that the material of the heavisidelayer was denser than air. The statement was that it was more viscous.Viscosity is not necessarily a function of density. A heavy oil suchas you use in the winter to lubricate your automobile has a muchhigher viscosity than water, yet it will float on water, i. e. it isless dense. There is nothing in the story that would prevent theheaviside layer from having a coefficient of refraction identical withthat of air.
To close, let me repeat that I am not arguing that such a layerexists. I do not believe that it does and I do believe that mygeneration will probably see the first interplanetary expedition startand possibly see the first interplanetary trip succeed. I do, however,contend that the science in my stories is accurate until it transcendsthe boundaries of present day knowledge and ceases to be science andbecomes "super-science," and that my super-science is developed in alogical manner from science and that nothing in present knowledgemakes the existence of such a layer impossible--S. P. Meek. Capt. Ord.Dept., U. S. A.
_Likes Long Novelettes_
Dear Editor:
I have just finished reading the August issue of your magazine. I amgoing to rate the different stories in per cents. 100% meansexcellent; 75% fairly good; 50% passable; 25% just an ordinary story.
I give "Marooned Under The Sea," by Paul Ernst, 100%; 75% for "TheAttack From Space," by Captain S. P. Meek. "The Problem inCommunication," by Miles J. Breuer, M. D. and "Jetta of the Lowlands,"by Ray Cummings; 50% for "The Murder Machine," by Hugh B. Cave and"Earth, The Marauder," by Arthur J. Burks; 25% for "The TerribleTentacles of L-472," by Sewell Peaslee Wright.
I am happy to say that since I have been reading your magazine, I haveinduced at least ten of my friends to be constant readers of thismagazine.
I like the long novelettes much better than continued novels, and hopethat in the future we will get bigger and better novelettes.--LeonardEstrin, 1145 Morrison Ave., Bronx, N. Y.
_Hasn't Decided_
Dear Editor:
Move over, you old-timers, and let a newcomer say something.
A few months ago I didn't read any Science Fiction. Now I read it all.I haven't decided yet which magazine I like best.
I was a little disappointed when you didn't have another story in theSeptember copy by R. P. Starzl, who wrote "Planet of Dread." I thoughtyou would hold on to a good author when you find one.
I would also like another story by the fellow who wrote the serial"Murder Madness."
I like short stories best.
That idea of a mechanical nirvana in Miles J. Breuer's story was good.
"Jetta of the Lowlands?" Opinion reserved. I like the action of thestory, but I hate a hero who is always bragging about himself.
Don't think I'm complaining, but nothing is perfect.
Why not try to get a story of A. Merritt's, or Ralph MilneFarley's?--A. Dougherty, 327 North Prairie Ave., Sioux Falls, So. Dak.
_Announcement_
Dear Editor:
May I enter "The Readers' Corner" to announce that a branch of TheScienceers has recently been formed in Clearwater, Florida, by a groupof Science Fiction enthusiasts?
We have a library of 175 Science Fiction magazines, including acomplete file of Astounding Stories to date. We hold weekly meetingsat which scientific topics are discussed, and current Science Fictionstories commented upon.
As the first branch of The Scienceers, we are striving to achieve asuccess that will be a mark for other branches to aim at.--CarltonAbernathy, P. O. Box 584, Clearwater, Fla.
_From Merrie England_
Dear Editor:
I came across your May publication of Astounding Stories the otherday, and I cannot resist writing to you to congratulate you on themost interesting magazine I have ever read. I am now determined totake it every month. Re "The Atom Smasher," it is A-1. I have readseveral interplanetary stories over here but none to touch those ofyour magazine.
Best wishes for the success of your book and its authors.--J. C.Atkinson, 17 Balaclava Rd., Sheffield, England.
_Starting Young_
Dear Editor:
You'll excuse my writing, for it is the end of vacation.
I like your book very much, which many other readers approve of. Somedislikes, of course, everyone has, and I have three which many readershave, too. First, I wish the magazine were bigger and the paperbetter. Second, have more stories and raise the price to 25c. Third,have stories of the future such as "Earth, the Marauder," and storiesof lost Atlantis, the fourth dimension, other planets, atoms andelectrons.--Jack Farber, Payette, Idaho.
P. S. I am 11 years old and interested in science.
_Doesn't Like Serials_
Dear Editor:
I am a recent reader of the Astounding Stories magazine. I am going tokeep getting the magazine, as I like it very much.
I did not like "Murder Madness," or Burks' "Earth, the Marauder" verymuch. I do not think "Murder Madness" is the type of story thatbelongs in this magazine. I do not like continued stories very much asI hate to break off at an interesting point and wait a whole monthbefore I can read the next installment or conclusion of the story. Thefront piece of the magazine is very good, and except for thecriticisms mentioned above the magazine is excellent.--Kempt Mitchell.
_A Staunch Defender_
Dear Editor:
At one time a friend introduced your excellent little publication tome. I read it and enjoyed every paragraph of it. This issue starred"The Monsters of Moyen," which I consider a real super-science story.I have followed "The Readers' Corner" quite a time.
In the September issue I saw where someone made a commentary on themagazine. One of the things they said was that the paper should be ofa better grade. It is true that this would help, but "our" magazine isnot half full of advertisements to pay for this expense. Dear friends,this is no Saturday Evening Post. Don't ask too much. Then, you maytake in consideration that other magazines of Science Fiction have nobetter grade of paper than this, for I have purchased several.
I have but one thing to say as an improvement for it. That is, whyshouldn't there be a Quarterly? Other Science Fiction magazines havethem. They have complete stories and are double in size and price.Dear Editor, please, for the public's sake, put out a Quarterly. I'msure others would like one.--H. C. Kaufman, Jr., 1730 N. Monroe St.,Baltimore, Maryland.
_Announcement_
Dear Editor:
We would appreciate it very much if you would print this in your"Readers' Corner" department.
We wish to inform the readers of Astounding Stories of an organizationlately formed, called The Boys' Scientifiction Club. Its purpose is topromote scientific interest among boys between the ages of 10 and 15,to encourage the reading of Science Fiction and scientific works, andto create a bond of friendship among them.
A circulating library, composed of Science Fiction books, magazines,articles, etc., is being constructed to circulate among members whodesire to read any of the contents.
Officers are: President-Librarian, Forrest J. Ackerman, 530 StaplesAve., San Francisco, Cal.; Secretary-Treasurer, Frank Sipos, 174Staples Ave., San Francisco, California.
Address all letters concerning membership to the President. He will beglad to answer all letters and explain particulars of the club. Thankyou for your kindness.--Linus Hogenmiller, Vice-President B. S. C.,502 N. Washington St., Farmington, Missouri.
_But--Ray Cummings Writes Us Only Brand New Stories!_
Dear Editor:
I want to commend Astounding Stories on carrying out an idea which Ihave had in mind for some time; that is, some scientific articles. "AStar That Breathes," in the July number, was very interesting, as werethe two articles in the August copy. However, I hope that this is onlythe start of a valuable new addition to Astounding Stories. Thereshould be at least five or six in each magazine, and I think most ofthe readers would prefer them at the end of the stories instead of inthe back of the magazine. Another thing that is absolutely essentialif Astounding Stories would hold its own as a high-class ScienceFiction magazine is a scientific editorial in the front of the book.The way it starts off abruptly onto a story gives the impression of acheap publication.
A lot of your readers have been setting up a clamor for stories by RayCummings. While it is true that he has written a few good stories, youwill find that his antiquated stuff is not being printed in any of theother Science Fiction magazine, but only in ones devoted toadventure-stories. For the sake of your many readers who would like tosee "our magazine" keep abreast of the times, Cummings should bedropped and some of the peerless authors of to-day employed. As anadvance along this line you already have Capt. S. P. Meek, HarlVincent, Lilith Lorraine, Edmond Hamilton, and, in the latest copy, R.F. Starzl. "The Planet of Dread," by R. F. Starzl was the best storyin the August issue. A wealth of ideas was contained in that treatiseof life on a young, warm planet, and the idea of fooling the liquidintelligence by thought-suggestion is quite novel but entirelyreasonable. Mr. Starzl is an author of the highest type and ability,and you will do well to secure more s
tories from his typewriter.
I was glad to see that the cover has finally been changed from theconventional blue background, and I hope we will have a littlevariation from now on. Concerning illustrations, Wesso is a greatartist, and aside from a few scientific errors his covers areexcellent. The inside drawings could be improved, however.
I hope for your continued success--Wayne D. Bray, Campbell, Mo.
_Are We All "Morons?"_
Dear Editor:
Having perused three issues of your magazine, I must agree that itstitle is well chosen. The stories are nearly all "astounding";astounding in that they utterly ignore every scientific fact anddiscovery of the past ten centuries.
The cold of inter-stellar space; its lack of oxygen; theinterplanetary effects of gravitation--all are passed over as ifnon-existent.
An "anti-gravity ovoid"--of which no description is given--if worn ina man's hat, makes his whole body weightless.
Men, buildings and cities float through the air or become invisible,yet not the least semi-scientific explanation is made as to the how ofit all.
In other words, the pattern of your stories appears to have been takenfrom the Arabian Nights and from Grimm's Fairy Tales--but with not amillionth part of the interest.
How anyone, save a young child or a moron, can read and enjoy suchfutile nonsense is incredible.
If your writers would (like Jules Verne) only invent somepseudo-scientific explanation for their marvels, your publicationmight then be read with pleasure--but why do so when trash isacceptable without thought behind it!--M. Clifford Johnston, 451Central Avenue, Newark, N. J.
_A Wesso Fan_
Dear Editor:
Let me congratulate you on the September issue of Astounding Stories.It is the best issue you have published yet. I noticed in this issuethat you had four illustrations by Wesso. Though that is the most youhave ever had, I think it would be much better if all theillustrations were by him.
However, getting down to brass tacks, the reason I'm typing thisletter is to ask you to publish an Astounding Stories Quarterly. Youcould have it contain twice as much reading material as in the monthlyand charge forty cents a copy for it. It would be much better than asemi-monthly and I am quite sure it would "go over" big.--Thomas L.Kratzer, 3593 Tullamore Rd., University Heights, Ohio.
_Bang--Bang--Bang_
Dear Editor:
I have read the August Astounding Stories and greatly enjoyed thefiction, but "The Readers' Corner" gave me a good deal of amusement.Some of your readers take their fiction so seriously!
Take the "Brick or Two" from George L. Williams and Harry Heillisan,for instance. They want Astounding Stories filled with material fromauthors that appear in other magazines--because your readers "are usedto the standards set by those publications," etc. And again, "youshould have some one who is well qualified to pass upon the science inthe stories." For the love of Pete, if people want scientifictreatises, why don't they buy books and magazines dealing with thesubject? There are many on the market--serious and dull enough foranyone. But for our fiction magazines, let's have it pure andunadulterated, the more improbably the better.
What possible difference does it make if, in a story, the moon has acrater every ten feet, or the black sky of outer space were blazingwith moons and aurora borealises, or the sun were in a double eclipse!
We read stories to be amused, not for technical information, so wecertainly don't want "a scientific editorial in each issue by some'eminent scientist.'"
As for a department in which readers could write their opinions of thestories and suggest improvements in the conduct of the magazine, whatelse is "The Readers' Corner?"
Why not adopt a tolerant attitude, and instead of howling about pettyfaults and mistakes get a good laugh over them? As for telling writersand editors "how to do it," we would only expose our ignorance andinability and make ourselves ridiculous.
If we think we could do so much better, let's try it. Write a storyourselves or start running a magazine!
Astounding Stories is all right as is. We like it "different." We wantdifferent authors from those of other magazines. What is the use ofhaving various publications if they must all be conducted alongidentical lines?
Now for your writers: Mr. R.F. Starzl is easily the best. His story,"The Planet of Dread," is full of thrills and imagination and cleversituations that are well developed and surmounted. One thing that israther remarkable in this class of story, the hero gets himself andhis companion out of every difficulty by his own ingenuity. The storymoves along with interest and thrills in every paragraph, and isreally my ideal of a "super-scientific" yarn; i.e., not stuffed withtiresome technical data. Let's have more from this interestingauthor.--C.E. Bush, Decatur, Ark.
_Assorted Bouquets_
Dear Editor:
Before commenting upon the September issue of your wonderful magazine,I would like to personally thank Mr. Bates for the kind reply to myformer letter. It shows that at least one editor glanced over myliterary ramblings.
Now for comments on the September issue. I placed the stories in thefollowing order, which is based upon their merit:
"Marooned Under the Sea"; "Terrible Tentacles of L-472"; "Jetta of theLowlands"; "The Attack from Space"; "A Problem in Communication";"Earth the Marauder," and "The Murder Machine."
Your serials are the best I have ever read in any magazine; yourlatest one, "Jetta of the Lowlands," promises to be an A-1top-notcher.
Your artists, H.W. Wessolowski and J. Fleming Gould, draw the finestillustrations I have ever seen anywhere.
"The Readers' Corner" is a fine corner which can only be improved bymaking it larger.
The stories scheduled for the October issue look good to me. Am gladto see that Dr. Bird is returning. Will sign off now wishingAstounding Stories all the luck it deserves.--Edwin Anderson, 1765Southern Boulevard, Bronx, N.Y.C., N.Y.
_A Request_
Dear Editor:
I thought I would drop you just a line to comment on the authors nowwriting for "our" magazine.
Among the best are: R. F. Starzl, Edmond Hamilton, Harl Vincent, RayCummings and Captain S. P. Meek. However, there is one brilliantauthor whose fascinating stories have, to date, failed to appear inour magazine. The man I am referring to is Ed Earl Repp. Please have astory by him in our magazine as soon as possible.
I am sure other readers will agree with me when I say that Mr. Reppwrites exceedingly thrilling and exciting Science Fiction tales. Let'ssee many stories by him in the forthcoming issues of AstoundingStories.--Forrest J. Ackerman, 530 Staples Avenue, San Francisco,California.
_Thank You, Mr. Lorenzo_
Dear Editor:
Several Science Fiction magazines will have to struggle along withoutmy patronage. Why? Because they flew (literally speaking) over my headwith all kinds of science. I want some science, but mostly fiction. Icouldn't understand what they were writing about, so I lost interest.I can read a single copy of a good magazine from cover to cover in oneday, but let me lose interest in it by having too much dry matter andI just don't buy that book again.
Your magazine is the best of all Science Fiction magazines, whichmeans that I can read and understand the tales in Astounding Stories.So you get my trade. You're trying your best to supply me withinteresting stories so if there is an occasional dry story (to me), Ijust remember one thing: you, as Editor, are a human being likemyself; so, neither one of us being perfect, I just forgive and go onbuying.--Jas Lorenzo, 644 Hanover St., San Francisco, Cal.
_Suggestions_
Dear Editor:
"Earth, the Marauder," by Arthur J. Burks, gets four stars. It is oneof the most astounding stories I have ever read. I hope you have morestories by Arthur J. Burks on schedule for early issues. "Jetta of theLowlands," by Ray Cummings, "Marooned Under the Sea," by Paul Ernst (asequel soon, I hope). "The Terrible Tentacles of L-472," by S.P.Wright and "The Attack from Space," by S.P. Meek (let's have anothersequel), all get three stars. I hope that S
.P. Wright will write morestories of strange planets.
I think that your serials should all be book-length novels with theinstallments from thirty-five to fifty pages in length. Don't publishnovelettes (thirty to sixty-five pages) as serials.
In your August issue you mention that you may some day publishAstounding Stories twice a month. I would rather have you increase theprice to twenty-five cents, give us as much material as Five NovelsMonthly, and smooth cut edges.
Wesso's cover illustrations are improving each month. I am glad to seemore of his illustrations inside.
Since so many readers ask for reprints, why not give us an occasionalone?--Jack Darrow, 4225 N. Spaulding Ave., Chicago, Illinois.
"_A Flop_"
Dear Editor:
I have read Astounding Stories since its first issue, and I amconvinced that it is without a peer in the field of Science Fiction.This preeminence is due to the fact that the magazine regularlycontains the work of the best contemporary writers of scientificfantasy, such as Cummings, Rousseau, Leinster, Burks and Hamilton.
Certain readers, unaccustomed to such rich fare, ask for stories bylesser lights. For a time these requests went unheeded; but of late itseems they are getting results--more's the pity.
Your September issue contained a story called "A Problem inCommunication" by Miles J. Breuer, M.D. Now, the good doctor may be a"wow" in other magazines, but his stuff is not up to the standard ofAstounding Stories. His initial effort in this magazine was dull anduninspired. It lacked the sustained interest and gripping action ofyour other stories. It was, to put it bluntly, a flop.
In spite of this sad example, several readers are still clamoring formore stuff from the small-timers. If they get their way--which Allahforbid!--it will mean the downfall of Astounding Stories. Why ruin atruly great magazine by catering to a misguided minority?--George K.Addison, 94 Brandt Place, Bronx, New York.
"_No Favorites_"
Dear Editor:
I found your magazine on the newsstand while looking for another kind.The cover picture looked interesting so I bought Astounding Storiesinstead of the other. Since that moment I have been a steady reader.
I can see no way to improve your magazine unless it is to enlarge itor to publish it oftener. I am satisfied with it as it is. It is thebest magazine on the newsstands now.
I have no favorites among your stories as I like them all equallywell.--Robert L. King, Melbourne, Florida.
_Pride of the Regiment_
Dear Editor:
I have just finished reading the September issue of Astounding Storiesand want to congratulate you on your staff of writers. Although thisis the first copy I have read, I can assure you that it will not bethe last, by any means.
I think the story called "Marooned Under the Sea," by Paul Ernst, astory that no one could have passed without reading it. The way theauthor explains the story to have come to life has really got meguessing.
The only thing that I regretted was that I didn't get the copiesprevious to the story called, "Earth, the Marauder," by Arthur J.Burks. Please give us more stories by Paul Ernst. (I say us because Iam a soldier, and where you find one soldier you find plentysoldiers.)
So keep the good work up, as we are looking forward to a good timewhen the next issues come around.--Co. "I," 26th Inf. PlattsburghBarracks, Plattsburgh, New York.
_Covers Not Too Vivid_
Dear Editor:
I can't help joining the great number of admirers of your wonderfulmagazine.
A great many readers ask for interplanetary stories. As for me, I likeany kind, stories of other worlds, under the earth, under the sea, onother planets, dimensional stories, anything. So far I have not hadthe slightest excuse to complain.
When I finish reading a story I write after the title, "good," "verygood," "fair," etc. Then I read the best ones over again while waitingfor the next issue. The following two and the only stories I didn'tlike so far are: "The Stolen Mind" and "Creatures of the Light."
One critic stated that he considered the illustrations of AstoundingStories too vivid. Illustrations for stories such as are contained inthis magazine cannot be too vivid. Readers have plenty of opportunityto use their imaginations. Many scenes which the authors try toportray are hard to visualize, and I think that a number of goodillustrations would help the readers enjoy the stories more.
As long as you keep your magazine up to the standard you have set thusfar, I will remain an eager reader.--Sam Castellina, 104 E. RailroadSt. Pittston, Penn.
_Quite True_
Dear Editor:
I have enjoyed every one of your Astounding Stories magazines from thefirst.
However, in the story, "The Murder Machine," by Hugh B. Cave, a man,Sir John Harman, was made to kill a man by meccano-telepathicallyprojected hypnotic suggestions. Some people think it is entirelypossible to make a man do such a thing by hypnotism, but it is notpossible because no person under hypnotic influence will do anythingthat his subconscious mind knows is immoral. Neither a thief nor amurderer can be made to confess their crime while under hypnoticinfluence.
I am merely writing this so that the others who have read the storywill not get the wrong idea of hypnotism. A man under hypnoticinfluence can be made to think he is murdering or robbing, but he willnot do it really, no matter how hard the hypnotist tries to makehim.--Henry Booth, 916 Federal St., N. S. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
"_Paper Correct Kind_"
Dear Editor:
I am a reader of four other Science Fiction magazines but likeAstounding Stories the best for two main reasons. First, the size isjust right, second, the paper is the correct kind. It does not glareat you when you read.
I have every issue of Astounding Stories since it came out. Thestories are all good and are becoming better each month. I preferstories of space traveling and of the fourth dimension.
About reprints, I think that if you want to give reprints, why notpublish them in booklet form. I'm sure many of the readers will preferto have reprints that way.--Frank Wogavoda, Water Mill, New York.
_Bouquets_
Dear Editor:
"The Planet of Dread" was a classic in the full meaning of the word.Not only was the story a masterpiece of fantastic adventure but alsoof short story craft. By all means secure more of Mr. Starzl's finetales.
Your stories by Ray Cummings are great. It would be a good policy uponyour part to continue to present stories of his at the most not morethan two issues apart.
Continue up to your present standard and you'll continue to standabove all other Science Fiction magazines where stories ofsuper-science are concerned, now and forever.--Jerome Siegel, 10622Kimberley Ave., Cleveland, Ohio.
"_The Readers' Corner_"
All Readers are extended a sincere and cordial invitation to "comeover in 'The Readers' Corner'" and join in our monthly discussion ofstories, authors, scientific principles and possibilities--everythingthat's of common interest in connection with our Astounding Stories.
Although from time to time the Editor may make a comment or so, thisis a department primarily for _Readers_, and we want you to make fulluse of it. Likes, dislikes, criticisms, explanations, roses,brickbats, suggestions--everything's welcome here; so "come over in'The Readers' Corner'" and discuss it will all of us!
--_The Editor._
ASTOUNDING STORIES _Appears on Newsstands_ THE FIRST THURSDAY IN EACH MONTH