The following letters clarified the misunderstandings that existed between Willis, Hickman and Madle, Their publication did much to dispel (1) Madle's belief that it was Willis and his philosophy that had caused the reaction of some British- ers to his winning TAFF and (2) Willis' feeling that Madle was conducting a personal vendetta against him. Dear Lynn, I don't associate myself with Chuck Harris in his current argument with Bob Madle, and I have no wish to be on bad terms with you. So far as I lm know, what difficulty there is between us started with a disagree- ment about review copies, I don't remember exactly what I said, but I remember being in an embittered mood generally at the time, and it's possible that I gave offense If so, I apologize, and I hope you will take this in the spirit in which it is offered. Sincerely, Walt Willis Dear Walt, I also have no wish to be on bad terms with you and am glad to be friends again. I will also publish your letter to Bob Madle as you requested, and Bob's answering letter. Lynn Hickman Dear Bob, It may take two to make a quarrel, but you're doing the work of one and a half. I've been reading with bewilderment the installments of your London report and I'd like to ask you to re-examine this fixed idea you seem to have that I am the master mind of a vast international conspiracy against you and convention-going fandom. To take the latest installment alone, I instance the title and sub-title, the snide references to me as "Ghod" and to my Friends as "disciples", the suggestion *Chuck Harris and Bob Madle had a controversy over the qualifications of a TAFF candidate and, more specifically, over his (Madle's) qualifications. This exchange was published in OMPA (Off-Trails Magazine Publishers' Association), an amateur press organization, Harris, upon learning that 25% of the British voters had supported Madle, publicly withdrew his accusations, which had been based on the premise that British fans had not supported Madle in the TAFF election. |