Letters: Nov. 15, 1982

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I was dismayed at your pessimism over the future of Solidarity [Oct. 25]. Although the Polish parliament has officially destroyed the independent trade union, the Polish people have undergone too much anguish in their tragic past to abandon their cries for freedom. Even if General Wojciech Jaruzelski has been successful in banning Solidarity, the dream of independence will reshape itself and continue.

Alexander J. Opalinski Toronto

Solidarity is a state of mind, and no one can crush that feeling. The Polish people may suffer repression, but no one can diminish their desire for freedom.

Scott Billetz Cleveland

The Polish government outlaws Solidarity. Our country responds by suspending most-favored-nation status for Polish exports of manufactured goods to this country. This move, which is supposed to support Polish workers, punishes them.

D. Kent Lloyd Gladstone, Ore.

No wonder General Jaruzelski is such an efficient and experienced oppressor of his own people. He is a recipient of the Order of Lenin, bestowed upon him by the Soviet Union for his service during the 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia.

Barbara C. Schenkel Melbourne, Australia

Hunter's Stew

Re your story "To Kill or Not to Kill" [Oct. 25], there is no one more concerned about the existence of wildlife than the American hunter. Yet he is continually under fire as a destroyer of animals. There are programs for wildlife protection that are supported mainly by funding from licenses, stamps and taxes paid by the hunter for the privilege of hunting. Today's problem with wildlife is not the hunter but the diminishing wilderness.

Michael L. Knueven Sunman, Ind.

The question to kill or not to kill is seldom a matter of how much hunting can be permitted without threatening the well-being of a species. Wildlife biologists can accurately predict the effect of a hunting season on a wildlife population. Regulated sport hunting has never threatened any wildlife species in this country. The rising game-animal population in the face of increased hunting attests to this. It is another question whether it is right to hunt a docile animal like the moose. That decision is a matter of personal ethics best left to the individual.

Chris Wille, Editor

Audubon Action

New York City

Those of us who have wandered through moose country do not consider these animals "as ferocious as a mouse" or dimwitted. Ranked second only to the grizzly bear as the most dangerous animal to run into in the back country, moose are not to be played with. The moose's power makes it a serious contender for king of the forest.

John Bruington Lingle, Wyo.

Policeman's Pay

In your article on the salaries paid to L.A. officials [Oct. 25], you note that the chief of police in Los Angeles makes $98,908 a year, compared with $83,884 in Chicago and $72,000 in New York.

In today's economy, $98,908 is not a princely sum for supervising more than 6,000 police officers. New York and Chicago are clever to get away with paying their chief cops so little.

John D. Conley San Juan Capistrano, Calif.

Young Ron