Back to the Convention

Patrick Goldstein’s piece on the 1960 Democratic National Convention was a time warp for me (“The Birth of Cool Politics,” Aug. 13). I and a group of my friends formed a small band to play and march when Adlai Stevenson’s name was put in nomination. We just did it out of hopes to try to get an intelligent and caring man as president. The interesting part was how easy it was to just come bring your trumpet, go inside the Sports Arena and wait until his name was placed in nomination and then march around the floor. This past weekend I played with my Dixieland band at a pre-convention party where many of the same people from the 1960 convention were guests, so I have come full circle. I must say I play the trumpet a lot better than I did then!

MAURICE WEISS

Los Angeles

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Goldstein’s article brought back memories. While at work for ABC television during the 1960 convention, I was struck by JFK’s limousine as it roared into the driveway of the apartment building in which he was staying at 522 N. Rossmore Ave. in Hollywood. He immediately dispatched a staff member to find out if I was OK.

I was, but he wanted to hear it from me personally, so I was summoned to his penthouse suite to confirm it. I did, and he picked up a vote in the bargain.

DICK WILSON

San Pedro