It would be preposterous to allege some anti-Israel motivation on Rand McNally`s part as Mr. (David) Baer does (Letters to the Editor, June 23), even if he had his facts correct.
Since not even the Israeli government officially claims that the occupied areas mentioned by Mr. Baer are part of Israel, there would be no legitimate basis for a mapmaker to show them as part of Israel. We do, in fact, currently show (page 132 of ”The New International Atlas”) five different notes detailing-accurately-the special circumstances applying to different portions of the areas outside the original boundaries of Israel that came under Israeli control as the result of Arab-Israeli warfare.
Mr. Baer is also incorrect in saying this treatment is unique to Israel. Notable and comparable are the special notes describing areas claimed by and occupied by India, Pakistan and China (page 120).
Even in the examples cited by Mr. Baer, he is incorrect. He says, for example, we don`t designate ”Turkish-occupied Cyprus.” To the contrary, there is a note in red type identical to those explaining the Israel-Arab disputes, that says ”the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus unilaterally declared its independence on Nov. 5, 1983” (page 128). (Similar explanatory notes are provided for other such situations.)
There is no unfair discrimination in any of these treatments. Fairness to governments, however, is not our obligation so much as helpfulness to consumers of our publications.
CONROY V. ERICKSON
Director of Public Relations
Rand McNally & Co.
Skokie
Confusing Change
Enjoyed Dave Barry`s column (Notes on Western Civilization, May 12) on mathematical prowess in the U.S. Case in point: Checking out at the grocery store recently, I saw that my total came to $12.76. I gave the checker (an adult but definitely/hopefully not a cashier) a $20 bill and told her I thought I had the 76 cents in coins.
She rang it up, and the register advised her I was due $8 change, so she placed a $5 bill and three $1 bills on the counter. Then I discovered I didn`t have the 76 cents. She seemed shocked, confused and unable to cope with the situation.
Finally, I suggested she take the 76 cents from one of the dollars and give me 24 cents back, after which I apologized for ”screwing things up”
because by now there were three people in line behind me.
SELMA KOSIER
Hanover Park
Memories of Mel
Many thanks for Norma Libman`s entertaining interview with Mel Torme
(Chicago Voices, May 19). I`ve been a fan of his since the late `40s and have in my collection several of his great 78 rpm`s that he recorded for Musicraft Records.
ANTHONY ZANETELLO
Chicago
Sweet Duo
Enjoyed your article profiling Sara Lee (Chicago Voices, May 26). My two favorite ladies from the Chicago area are Sara Lee and Fannie May.
MILDRED PAVLIK
River Grove
Re-Cycling
It was with an overwhelming sense of pride and nostalgia that I read the article on classic bikes (”Up Cycle,” May 26), and my old buddy, the Schwinn Black Phantom. It brought a sigh and a sense of longing for those days when I used to ride my bike all over the neighborhood and to some faraway places too. Just the sight of the Black Phantom stirs long-hidden memories, and once again I see myself flying along with nary a care in the world. To me, those were the good old carefree and adventruous days.
As I grew older, my bike was stripped down and painted over a number of times, and I finally sold it for a fraction of its worth. Truly it was the best bike a boy could ever have and a tribute to the workmanship of Schwinn. It was my best buddy.
MILT WIGSMOEN
Sauk Village
Your article ”Up Cycle” must have stirred happy memories of those balloon tire beauties for the many who enjoyed them over the years. However, a really interesting bit of nostalgia was missing: In the `30s, the Chicago Tribune offered a Schwinn bike as an incentive to sell subscriptions to the paper. I know as I was the proud owner of one of those bikes.
LUCILLE STARCK
Mt. Prospect
