own private theory of how
airplanes will be run in 2500, or if you think the real Fourth Dimension
is different from what it is sometimes described--write in and share
your views with all of us.

This department is all yours, and the job of running it and making it
interesting is largely up to you. So "come over in 'The Readers'
Corner'" and have your share in what everyone will be saying.

--_The Editor._

"_And Kind to Their Grandmothers!_"

Dear Editor:

I received a pleasant surprise a few days ago when I found a new
Science Fiction magazine at the newsstand--Astounding Stories. And
I was still more pleased, and surprised, to find that the Editor
seems to know that such stories should have real story interest,
besides a scientific idea.

Of course I took with a grain of salt the invitation to write to
the editor and give my preference of the kind of stories I like. I
know that every editor, down in his heart, thinks his magazine is
perfect "as is." In fact, praise is what they want, not
suggestions, judging by the letters they print.

Well, I can conscientiously give you some praise. If Astounding
Stories keep up to the standard of the first issue it will be all
right. Evidently you can afford to hire the best writers
obtainable. Notice you've signed up some of my favorites, Murray
Leinster, R. F. Starzl, Ray Cummings. I like their stuff because it
has the rare quality rather vaguely described as "distinction,"
which make the story remembered for a long time.

The story "Tanks," by Murray Leinster, is my idea of what such a
story should be. The author does not start out, "Listen, my
children, and you shall hear a story so wonderful you won't believe
it. Only after the death of Professor Bulging Dome do I dare to
make it public to a doubting world." No, he simply proceeds to tell
the story. If I were reading it in the Saturday Evening Post or
Ladies Home Journal it would be all right to prepare me for the
story by explaining that of course the author does not vouch for
the story, it having been told to him by a crazy Eurasian in a
Cottage Grove black-and-tan speakeasy at 3.30 A. M. In Astounding
Stories I expect the story to be unusual, so don't bother telling
me it is so. That criticism applies to "Phantoms of Reality," which
is a story above the average, though, despite its rather flat