19TH HOLE: THE READERS TAKE OVER
THE NUKES (CONT.)
Sirs:
As Mr. Boyle has pointed out (The Nukes Are in Hot Water, Jan. 20), the thermal discharge from nuclear power plants is, at present, a major problem. However, with all the expert testimony that is available on the problem, very little is available on good, economic solutions. The low-grade energy that is available should be used, if at all possible, rather than be considered as a pollutant. For instance, this writer visited the Hunterston Nuclear Generating Station in Scotland where a research project uses a small portion of the discharge to raise Dover sole. The sole reach market size in two years instead of four due to the decrease in the length of the growth period.
Studies are being carried out on Long Island to test the growth of oysters in thermal discharges. Carp culture is practiced in Russia, where previously it had been impossible due to the cold water. Shrimp culture has proved successful, and yearling four-inch trout grew to market size in one summer when stocked in the thermal discharge, without supplementary feeding.
These examples, of course, are only a hopeful beginning—not final solutions.
RONALD STEWART
Atmospheric Sciences
Research Center
State University of New York
Albany, N.Y.
Sirs:
Mr. Boyle's article is grossly less than a complete appraisal of the power industry's constructive environmental efforts, and particularly those of New York State Electric & Gas Corp.
It is a matter of record, though not mentioned in your article, that the Citizens Committee to Save Cayuga Lake has never opposed the construction of NYSE&G's power plant. In fact, they have repeatedly stated in their own publications and in public news media that they are not opposed to the plant. The committee wants only to be assured that the plant will fit safely into the Cayuga Lake environment.
A. D. TUTTLE
Binghamton, N.Y.
Sirs:
May I commend you on the very fine article on thermal pollution. As one of the Lehigh scientists, I worked for five years on the Delaware River study in Martins Creek. Dr. Mihurksy, who is also quoted, was with us on that project.
The author has presented a clear and accurate picture of one of the most urgent of our conservation problems. You have reached a wide audience with this article, but how can we educate the politicians and utility men? From bitter experience, I know it will not be an easy task but, from other research projects on industrial pollution in which I have been engaged, may I say that there are some industries that are earnestly trying to control pollution of our most vital resource—water.
ELEANOR W. HERTZ
Assistant Professor of Biology
Marywood College
Scranton, Pa.
Sirs:
Please accept our congratulations on being the commercial publication that has done more to advance the cause of conservation than any other. Throughout 1968 your many and thoughtful articles in this field were forthright, enlightening and educational.
CHARLES W. MOORE
President
U.S. Canoe Association
Indianapolis
L.A. AND THE LAKERS
Sirs:
After reading Frank Deford's fictional story on the Los Angeles Lakers (On Top—but in Trouble, Jan. 27), I am compelled to separate fact from fiction for him.
FICTION: "Some season-ticket seats are conspicuously unused." FACT: Season-ticket holders have appeared for this season's Laker games, 1968-69, in greater numbers than last season's, 1967-68, by .5%.
FICTION: "Inglewood City tax records indicate Forum attendance figures are being inflated...." FACT: Inglewood admissions tax records always reflect fewer admissions than the Lakers' total attendance because of exempt categories that are not required to be reported, such as tickets given to employees and to radio, television, newspaper and magazine reporters—including the two tickets given to SPORTS ILLUSTRATED'S local reporter whose gross inaccuracies indicate that he must be among the de minimus number of no-shows at Laker games. Attendance figures publicly released during Laker games for the convenience of the press and fans are based on a fast count in The Forum box office. Those figures are later audited for exact reporting to the NBA and taxing authorities. In fact, the audited figures show that last season, 1967-68, the Lakers' total attendance exceeded the publicly announced attendance by 15,233. This season to date, 1968-69, the Lakers' total attendance has exceeded the publicly announced figures by 10,957.
FICTION: "There are signs that Southern California is getting bored." FACT: Laker audited total attendance this season exceeds last season's by more than 10%, hardly a sign of boredom.
FICTION: "The Times has sent a correspondent on the road just once all year." FACT: Mr. Deford is not too wide of the mark. True, the Los Angeles Times has sent a reporter on the road only once so far this season. For the corresponding time last season they had done so only twice. Mr. Deford neglects to say that, letting the reader imply that last year the Times sent a reporter on every road trip.
With Mr. Deford's fantasies thus realigned with the facts, it is clear that, by any measure, Southern California fans are supporting the Lakers in greater numbers and with more enthusiasm than ever before. Since Mr. Deford's reporting of the facts is so inaccurate, his opinions must be discredited as well.
JACK KENT
COOKE President
Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles
•The Forum must pay an Inglewood city tax on every admission, including complimentary tickets. City records show a total 1968 Forum attendance of 1,652,139 as compared to 2,069,010 announced by The Forum.—ED.
BUFFALOED
Sirs:
We appreciate your interest in Buffalo and the Bills (Warts, Love and Dreams in Buffalo, Jan. 20); and while the stadium there is anything but the best, you really don't reach it by boat, as one might gather by looking at your picture.
I mean, we haven't advised O.J. Simpson out in California to bring his snorkel. Indeed, we need a new stadium in Buffalo, and we are hoping that a cessation of political bickering will facilitate its building soonest. As for the community itself, it isn't as bad as portions of your article might suggest, proof of which is that planes, trains and buses leave Buffalo daily, and a million or so Buffalonians aren't on them.
RALPH C. WILSON JR.
President
Buffalo Bills
Detroit
Sirs:
As a resident of the Buffalo area, I wish to thank Brock Yates for writing an article that so aptly captures the frustrations of being a sports fan in this city, which is so much ignored by major league moguls.
I am often given the distinct impression that Buffalo would have to sell its soul to obtain a major league Ping-Pong team. Thank heavens for Ralph Wilson, the owner of the Bills. He saw past the all too apparent ugliness of this city into its heart—a heart big enough to support any major league team, win, lose or draw.
PAUL R. DINAN
Lewiston, N.Y.
Sirs:
As I am a native of Buffalo (pronounced locally as "Buff-a-low"), I naturally awaited the arrival of my copy of your illustrious magazine with bated breath. And although during the winter months I prefer to huddle before my fire, I moved a little nearer to the window (imported at great cost) to keep an eye out for the postman. Finally I was rewarded by the sight of the familiar dogsled, with the distinctive red-white-and-blue stripes on the runners.
After reading your article I was quite shocked and even considered using your magazine to plug a hole in the wall. Fortunately cooler heads prevailed, and I began an objective analysis of your article.
The No. 1 complaint seems to be the weather. Yes, Virginia, there really is a summer in Buffalo, and I am happy to report that the incidence of sunstroke is quite low.
Then comes the misconception that Buffalo is behind the times. The leading advocate of this idea is San Francisco Chronicle Columnist Glenn Dickey. He cites the apparel of the Buffalo citizenry as proof of his claim, but I say that it proves just the opposite. For everyone knows that double-breasted jackets with wide lapels are the latest things in men's fashions. As far as the length of ladies' skirts is concerned, it is my belief that Mr. Dickey, after a few too many beers in one of our famed corner taverns, must have wandered into one of the local convents.
But the most damning misconception about the citizenry of Buffalo is the belief that they will not support a loser. Ridiculous! They support Buffalo, don't they?
MICHAEL ROCHE
Buffalo
Sirs:
After reading Brock Yates's article on Buffalo, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. We have enough courage to laugh at all the barbs and taunts cast in the direction of the Queen City, especially at the inaccurate prejudices that have prevented our entrance into major league hockey and baseball. However, if we truly fit the mold of William Graham Sumner's original forgotten man—the middling white man who works hard, pays taxes, likes sports more than ideas and finds the modern world bewildering—and we are still losers, then we have a right to cry.
Thank you for helping us take a good look at ourselves. I think the article will help put Buffalo on the map for the next hundred years.
FRANK E. BENBENEK
Buffalo
BOSTON RIVALRY
Sirs:
Professional and Olympic hockey have dominated the hockey headlines for years, so it is refreshing to see capable talent in the college ranks receive recognition in the national press. Tim Sheehy (Found—A Native Who Outplays the Imports, Jan. 20) is the greatest center ever to play college hockey. However, there is another excellent American playing at BC; Paul (The Shot) Hurley, a 1968 Olympian, is definitely the best defenseman in the country.
If BC continues to win, Coach Snooks Kelley will have proved once and for all that Americans can play hockey with the Canadians.
MAURICE DANSEREAU
MARK LABRECQUE
Chestnut Hill, Mass.
Sirs:
Mark Mulvoy, who is a Boston College alumnus, obviously lets emotion enter into his stories when he writes of his alma mater. How is it possible for Sheehy to be the "best college hockey player in the U.S.," as Mr. Mulvoy states, when he is not even the best player in Boston? Herb Wakabayashi of Boston University, an institution that Mulvoy does not see fit to mention in his list of major hockey schools, was chosen to the Coaches' All-America team last year, while Sheehy was omitted. Mike Hyndman, another BU player and the nation's leading scorer last year, was chosen the New England sophomore of the year over Sheehy by the hockey writers last year. It also might be mentioned that both Wakabayashi and Hyndman played leading roles in the Terriers' 10-5 triumph over BC on Jan. 11. The win was BU's ninth straight against BC and came on the Eagles' home ice.
JOHN F. COONEY III
Newton, Mass.
Sirs:
You seemed to forget to mention that Boston University, the real hockey power in Boston, had, as of Jan. 11, soundly destroyed Boston College in the last nine meetings of the two teams. BU has ruled Boston with an iron glove for four years now and has been one of the top teams in the East for the last five or six years. This is something that BC cannot claim, so how about doing something on a really great hockey team that has both American and Canadian players? Good ones, too.
STEPHEN MELINE
West Roxbury, Mass.