Astounding Stories, May, 1931 Part 48

Please notice that I said seemingly wrong. I'm for A. S.

just one hundred per cent and would prefer to have it as right as possible. I don't like crank letter writing and would never have written this now if it hadn't been for several of the letters in the March issue that gave me a touch of hades under the collar. S'long. Maybe I'll write again sometime when I get some more "ham science"

ideas.--William S. Lotsch, 1 Morrison Ave., Troy, N. Y.

_You Make Them Adequate_

Dear Editor:

Thanks. Of course I accept your invitation to "The Readers'

Corner." I have been a constant Reader of your magazine since its appearance on the Science Fiction horizon, and I have yet to meet a story that I failed to read in its entirety or that I didn't like.

To merely write a letter and say that this story was good, the other story was fair, and oh my! how poor the third story was, is futile. But as it is the usual custom to do so here goes:

Excellent stories--all of the first five volumes; good stories--who's interested?; poor stories--where are they?; good authors--takes up too much room and time; poor authors--got tired looking for them.

All I want to say is, Astounding Stories is the best or one of the best magazines on the market. Gee, but aren't words futile when you describe something great and wonderful!--Herbert Goodket, 707 Jackson Avenue, New York, N. Y.

_Ain't It Too Awful!_

Dear Editor:

I knew it. It was bound to come. At last my efforts have been rewarded. Fame has sought me out--even in Brooklyn. It was suggested in the March issue of Astounding Stories that I, Louis Wentzler, as one of the active contributors to "The Readers' Corner," regale your Readers with a description of myself, my interest in Science Fiction and how I got that way. A picture was also requested, but this had better be omitted. As for my personal history, bend an ear:

At the tender age of four, while making mud pies on the doorstep of my home, I was beaned by a brick hurled by an uncouth ruffian across the street. The results were not fatal--who said "unfortunately?"--but from that moment I developed a taste for Science Fiction. Had it not been for that incident I might have grown up a normal lad; but the caress of that brick on my cranium did things to me, and I have been a Science Fiction addict since.

Of course, I do not contend that all Science Fiction fans were hit by bricks, though a lot of them should be. I do believe, however, that a slight concussion of the brain helps one appreciate Science Fiction the more. Anyway, once imbued with the urge I took to Science Fiction like a Hindu to has.h.i.+sh. Such stories were rare in those days, but I started to collect all I could find.

Then came the war. I was too young to fight, but I did my bit making canteens out of old sieves. That was how my mind worked, you see. Well, the war ended--I forgot who won--and I went back to my beloved Science Fiction. Years have pa.s.sed since then, and I have a fine collection of stories now.

Should any of you care to see them, come around to the local b.o.o.by-hatch some time: you'll find me in Padded Cell No.

17.--Louis Wentzler, 1935 Woodbine St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

_Hurrah!_

Dear Editor:

Except for a brief letter of criticism in the August, 1930, number of Astounding Stories, I have been a silent but loyal follower of the magazine since its first issue. My silence was that of profound satisfaction. Almost all the stories suited me to perfection; and the few I did not like were hardly worth commenting on. Since the magazine has grown better with every issue I would probably have kept my peace; but there is one disturbing factor which impels me to write again.

I refer to the irresponsible outbursts of certain ---- [censored] who squeeze into "The Readers' Corner" and sputter out senseless denunciations of the magazine, its appearance, its policies, and so on. I do not object to logical, well-founded criticism, but I most decidedly do object to the ---- [censored] remarks and invidious comparisons indulged in by various ---- [censored] Readers.

It's about time someone told them where to head in, and, by your leave, I'll do it.

The most recent offender is J. Vernon Shea, Jr., a Pittsburgh lad of eighteen who, in the March issue, ventures to criticize the grammar of Ray c.u.mmings, call the Editor harsh names, and demand that the magazine conform to his own dizzy notions. He concedes that Astounding Stories prints consistently interesting tales, but charges that the Editor is indifferent to "the advancement of Science Fiction." Mr.

Shea, can't you see that the publication of first-cla.s.s stories, as in this magazine, is the best possible way to popularize Science Fiction? Or do you simply prefer inferior stuff?

Then there's D. R. Guthrie, from way back in Idaho, who liked a yarn in another magazine so much he had to tell us all about it--as if we didn't have the best Science Fiction ever written right here in Astounding Stories. Guthrie's another who seems to prefer bra.s.s to gold.

Going back an issue or two, we note a letter from Edwin Magnuson, a deluded denizen of Duluth, who says he's plumb disgusted because Astounding Stories receives far more bouquets than brickbats, when according to him the mag deserves to be panned plenty. Get in step, Edwin, you're falling way behind!

And I mustn't forget M. Clifford Johnston of the Newark Johnstons, who calls Astounding Stories trash and its Readers morons. Well, there are various degrees of mental incompetence, and the moron is far above the idiot, Mr.

Johnston!

Now that I've taken a few hasty pokes at those who most deserved them, I'll give my own comments on some of your latest stories--and anyone who feels like telling me where I get off is welcome to do so.

First, let me take my hat off to Jack Williamson. I never thought much of his stuff in other mags, but his "The Meteor Girl" was a mighty fine piece of work. Evidently you've got to be good to crash Astounding Stories. Interesting as it was, though, Williamson's yarn contained a noticeable error.

In the story, the narrator and his friend witness an event occurring twelve hours in the future at a distant place.

They then travel to that place, reaching it at a time exactly corresponding to the time of the event witnessed.

Therefore, they should have seen themselves in the future scene--an obvious fact which the author either failed to consider or conveniently ignored. [But--by the story, they did not arrive at the rock until just AFTER the events they witnessed by means of the fourth dimension. Thus, everything is O. K. Take another look.--Ed.] Despite this flaw the story embodied several original ideas, had plenty of action, and was well told. We can stand more of Williamson.

"Phalanxes of Atlans," by F. V. W. Mason, was a corker. When writers of Mason's standing turn to Science Fiction, we fans have much to be thankful for. Is there any chance of our getting a story by Fred MacIsaac, Theodore Roscoe, or Erle Stanley Gardner? All of them are first-cla.s.s writers, and they can handle Science Fiction better than many who have specialized in that field. The only other suggestion I can offer for improving the magazine is to have additional ill.u.s.trations within the stories, such as Wide World Adventures used to have.

Satisfied as I am with Astounding Stories it will probably be a long time before I write again--unless I feel called upon to administer a few more verbal spankings to certain obstreperous individuals!--Sears Langell, 1214 Boston Road, New York, N. Y.

"_The Readers' Corner_"

All Readers are extended a sincere and cordial invitation to "come over in 'The Readers' Corner'" and join in our monthly discussion of stories, authors, scientific principles and possibilities--everything that's of common interest in connection with our Astounding Stories.

Although from time to time the Editor may make a comment or so, this is a department primarily for Readers, and we want you to make full use of it. Likes, dislikes, criticisms, explanations, roses, brickbats, suggestions--everything's welcome here: so "come over in 'The Readers' Corner'" and discuss it with all of us!

_The Editor._