The Other Side

They're sending up a rocket to photograph the other side of the United States Government. Here to fore un photographed, this side, always dark and turned away from us, has long been a subject of great scientific curiosity and intense speculation. The old rivalry over which branch of the Armed Services would take responsibility for the rocket is over now, and, following a joint declaration by the White House staff, and several misfires, the huge thing has finally gone up. It will be directed through a previously planted tracking station somewhere between the Crater of Security Clearance and the Mountain of Dislocated Responsibility.

There has been praise from all sides. Governor Rockefeller, in his latest speech, said, "These are times to try men's souls... I am not a candidate... The President deserves our heartiest congratulations.... New York is a Summer Festival..." Press Secretary Hagerty denied categorically that General Motors had split the cost 50-50. Pogo sagely remarked, "But I ain't even seen the other side of Pogofenokee, yet." Governor Faubus has ordered the back of the Little Rock State House rebuilt.

Meanwhile, in Washington, these developments:--

1) The Navy has announced its intention of Liquidating a large colony of albatrosses on Midway Island, allegedly a hazard to aircraft. A public meeting is scheduled on the matter at The American Museum of Natural Science in New York on Tuesday, October 20. One naturalist has already suggested that the admiralty read "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" to find out what happens to people who kill albatrosses. No comment has yet been heard from the birds themselves. (New York Times, 10/16/59).

2) Secretary of Labor James Mitchell stated on April 7 that if unemployment did not go below 3 million in October, he would literally eat his hat on the Labor Department steps. Because of the steel strike, the unemployment figure for this month is expected to be slightly over 3 million. Official figures are due out on November 10. (New York Times, 10/19/59).

3) The movies shown to President Eisenhower and Premier Khrushchev the night of their arrival at Camp David have been identified. Pravda reports that Mr. K requested, and was shown, a film of the Nautilus' voyage under the polar icecap. The President requested, and was shown, a western called "Warlock." One of those present told the Times that the movies was "very long, very bloody, very dull." This reporter saw "Warlock," and concurs. (New York Times, 10/19/59).

The above three items, all true, lead one to reconsider the warning of Mr. Eric Sevareid of CBS news last year, that perhaps we shouldn't rush off so quickly to see the other side of the moon. We're not ready, he said, because we don't yet known enough about the dark side of ourselves. Bearing in mind also the item from Ripley's Believe It Or Not that the Man in the Moon is upside down in South America, the Administration should give Servareid's idea serious consideration.

Meanwhile, the rocket to the other side of the United States Government continues its slow, steady, somewhat elliptical ascent.