Letters, Feb. 18, 1980

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In your tribute to George Meany [Jan. 21], you failed to mention his strong and unflinching support for Israel. When conservatives tilted toward the Arabs for oil and liberals became enamored of P.L.O. killers, Meany and the AFL-CIO remained firm. Israel and its friends shall never forget this magnificent man.

Lawrence R. Kates Oshkosh, Wis.

Goodbye, George Meany. From plumber to labor union president: a classic example of the American Dream.

James B. Boucher Lafayette, Calif.

Your article about George Meany captured my own sentiments about this noble American. As I walked by his casket, I could not help recalling his courageous position on many issues, especially Viet Nam. For many of us who served in Southeast Asia, he provided a source of comfort and support during moments of national doubt and hesitation.

Charles A. Krohn

Lieut. Colonel, U.S.A.

Falls Church, Va.

Now that George Meany is gone, let America remember him for what he contributed most to our country: inflation.

Stephen Conn Virginia Beach, Va.

Knocking "Dr. Nick"

I have just finished reading your article on Elvis Presley's physician, "Dr. Nick" [Jan. 28]. I must say that the entire review of the case by a board of medical examiners is nothing short of a farce. The thought of the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners finding this menace a "valuable member of the medical profession" is terrifying and appalling.

Merrily Riesebeck Springfield, N.J.

And this is the medical profession that has assumed the right to make life-and-death choices. When are we going to realize that ethical decisions must be confronted by each person in our society? The issues at stake are too important to be monopolized by an elitist group.

Nancy E. Reilly, R.N. Farmington Hills, Mich.

Penmanship

The nation's penmakers, complaining about Americans' penmanship [Jan. 28], seem to have overlooked an important cause of the problem. Even a reasonably beautiful handwriting can be reduced to uncontrolled scrawl by the penmakers' own device, the ballpoint. John Hancock's controlled cursive would have been simply impossible with a ballpoint pen.

H. Wendell Smith Marina Del Rey, Calif.

As an attorney, I consider words my most precious and useful tools. When I must prepare a particularly complex brief or sensitive letter, I return to the pen. The hand operates at a slower pace befitting the labored cadences at which most of us make better sense.

Wayne A. Vander Byl Williamson, N. Y.

The #|$)#$SI$£demise of legiblye hand is compensated for by the dl&e' clarity of the typewritten word.

Robert G. Hillman M.D. Santa Fe, N. Mex.