The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-09-16
BY WALTER D. HICKMAN

BY WALTER ID, HUFFMAN
TF l should meet you on the street
Il and ask you this question: Why
don't you commit suicide ?"-What
would you do?
You would probably think that
was crazy, but Will Durant raises
that question in "On the Meaning
of Life" which has Just been pub
lished by Ray Long and Richard r.
Smith, Inc.
Some time ago, Durant put Ger
tain question to such leaders as
Theodore Dresser, H. L. Mencken,
Sinclair Lewis, John Erskine, Will
Rogers, Havelock Ellis, Gandhi,
Helen Wills Moody and many others.
The question in brief was: What
is the meaning or worth of human
lfe?"
I am interested in the answer of
Adolph S. Ochs as follows: Suffice
1t for me to say that I inherited
good health and sound moral prin-
ciples; l found pleasure in work
that came to my hand and in doing
4
satisfaction in being helpful to my
parents and others, and in thus
making my life worth while found
happiness and consolation. My
Jewish home life and religion gave
me a spiritual uplift and a sense of
responsibility to my subconscious
better self-which I think is the
God within me, the Unknowable, the
IneXplicable. This makes me be-
lieve 7 am more than an animal,
and that this life can not be the
end of our spiritual nature
I know that you will be interested
in the answer given Durant by
Gandhi. l was surprised with his
modern viewpoint.
Gandhi writes Striving for full
realization keeps me going This
strife is the source of whatever in
spiration and energy I possess. My
treasure lies in battling against
darkness and all forces of evil"
In considering religion, Gandhi
writes: Religion, not in the con-
ventional but in the broadcast sense,
helps me to have glimpse of the
Divine essence. This glimpse is i'm
possible without full development of
the moral sense. Hence, religion
and morality are, for me, synonym
GUS terms"
Durant in discussing the Gandhi
position states this is not quite
satisfactory" but the author is
grateful for the answer.
In Chapter III, Durant considers
Letters to a Suicide" under the
following heads: The Popularity
of Suicide" Concessions to Sui
eide" "Mid-Victorian, "A Personal
Confession and Invitation"
The appendix contains a letter
from a life term convict in Sing
Sing prison. The answer of this
man to the question on the meaning
of life IL tremendous.
This book is serious but brilliant
reading, 1t sells for $3.50.
Just received a letter telling me
that The American Spectator" a
literary newspaper, will begin its
monthly publication on Oct. 20. The
editors include George Jean Nathan
Ernest Boyd, Theodore DRESSER
James Branch Cabell and Eugene
ONeill.
In addition to these editors, the
first copy will include contributions
from Havelock Ellis, Frank Swim
merton, Van Wyck Brooks, Lincoln
StefTens, Jim Tully, Ring Lardner
Clarence Darrow. What a list
What list.
This time of year when receive
the new publications for children, ]
sincerely wish that was a child
again. What wonderful books chill
dren have these days.
have before me "Snipp, Snapp
Snurr, and the Red Shoes" by
Major Lindman. 1t is published by
Albert Whitman e. Co. of Chicago
1t is the story of three little
Swedish boys. The great thing
about this book are the splendid pic.
lures OF boy life.
This book is for the very young.
Another juvenile book of great
charm and also published by the
Whitman Company is Peter
Kroak." the story of the largest
green frog in the pond.
The pictures are in color anc
would be wonderful for the nursery
Here is something new and re-
freshing in children's books.