WILLIAM F. BUCKLEY JR. The host of Firing Line sends this telegram to John R. Norpel Jr., director of research for the Senate Internal Security Subcommittee, apologizing for not being able to attend Benjamin Mandel's retirement party Telegram unsigned, 8¼x5½. New York, New York, November 9, 1967. Addressed to “Jack Norpel, Internal Security Subc/ 3232 Senate Office Bldg Wash DC”. In full: “Deeply sorry I cannot be with you on the 15th due to uncancelable [sic] engagement. I'd have been honored to pay trubute [sic] to a great American and great gentleman Ben Mandel/ WM F Buckley Jr”. WILLIAM FRANK BUCKLEY JR. (1925-2008, born in New York City) was a conservative political pundit and authority on language style. In 1955, he founded the National Review magazine (1955). The longtime host of the TV interview program Firing Line (1966-1999), Buckley is also the author of a series of novels starring C.I.A. agent Blackford Oakes. BENJAMIN MANDEL (1887-1973) was a New York City school teacher and activist. He joined the Communist Party in 1920 as "Bert Miller" and eventually became Organization Secretary for the New York district. Mandel was elected to the organization's Central Committee at its Fifth congress in 1927, and reelected as a "candidate member" in March 1929. By the later 1930s he had become a dedicated anti-communist, and as "Benjamin Mandel," served as the research director for the Dies Committee from 1939 to 1945. He worked with the New York legislature during the Rapp-Courdert inquiry into the presence of Communist teachers in New York schools. In 1951, he became research director in the Senate Internal Security Subcommittee, and stayed in that position until his retirement in 1967. Toned, especially at edges. Top and bottom edges irregular from perforation. Otherwise, fine condition.