In Sultan’s Defense

Those letters (Dec. 1) by both Jay D. Rottstein and Sylvia Larson relative to the Sultan of Brunei has the stench of bigotry pursuant to Father (Charles Edward) Coughlin (a controversial “radio priest” of the Depression Era) and the like.

The sultan’s income is mainly derived from oil. He has taken a portion of his wealth and invested it in the United States. He has refurbished the Beverly Hills Hotel to raise it from an apparent loss to a profitable status, and that profit brings income tax to both the IRS as well as the state. Not to mention the state Board of Equalization that gains sales and use taxes, plus Los Angeles County.

The employment status of those who run the operation is secured, plus those payroll taxes both federal and state that are levied. The cost of the hotel ran him around $167 million, plus extra for the stated refurbishing. All this has brought investment into the country, and as is usual, one is entitled to profit when one puts one’s money into Kuwait.

The condemnation of Muriel Slatkin is typical bigotry in regarding the selling of “Our Country.” This reminds me, for I was brought up and educated in England, we used to celebrate Empire Day at my school (that was when England had one).

A teacher said to me when I was 12, “This is our empire,” to which I responded “You mean to tell me that I own a piece of Canada, India, Australia, New Zealand, and all the rest of the empire?” The teacher answered “Yes.” I then rejoined: “I’m selling . . . you buying?”

MONTAGUE CAPPER

Canoga Park