Poland's Plight

To the Editors:

Three cheers for Lech Walesa and the leaders of Solidarity in Poland [Dec. 29]. With the Soviets threatening their homeland more and more each day, they have stood calmly defiant in support of their ideals and their legitimate demands for a free union system. Their message to Moscow is not only making the Soviets squirm, but is also informing anticapitalist idealists right here in the U.S. that Communism is not working.

John A. Heldt Eugene, Ore.

By scaling the gates of the strikebound Lenin Shipyard in Gdansk last August to lead what may be the most remarkable workers' revolt in the history of organized labor, Lech Walesa showed the world that the "inevitable" march of history is no match for the indomitable spirit of the individual will.

Edward L. Ozog Burlington, Ont.

While praising the brave Poles who are seeking simple human freedom, we should try to understand Soviet fears of isolation and encirclement. The time has come to give the Kremlin fewer belligerent warnings about what not to do in the future and more praise for the restraint it has shown in the recent past.

Nathaniel Borenstein Pittsburgh

Lech Walesa has given new life to the motto "Workers of the world, unite!"

Sanjay Upadhya Katmandu, Nepal

No Apologies

I am disturbed by the Carter Administration's apparent submission to the demands of Iran [Dec. 22]. The Iranian funds in this country have been forfeited. They should be used to satisfy all creditors and claims against the Iranian government, including the cost of rebuilding the embassy. The hostages and their families should be adequately compensated. There should be no apologies. What have we done wrong?

Clarence Gregory Philadelphia

The U.S. Government should refuse to negotiate for the freedom of the hostages, for doing so means succumbing to bribery and acceding to the defiance of international law. For the greatest nation on earth to so humiliate itself is lunacy. Any self-respecting nation must be prepared to sacrifice the lives of some of its citizens to preserve its integrity and honor.

Alan Coburn Nelson, N.Z.

First Decorator Nancy Reagan proposes to squander the price of four modest American homes to redecorate what must be--by any standards--a more than adequate dwelling place [Dec. 29]. Is the future First Family unaware that these are times in which responsibility means practicing continence, if not austerity?

Barbara McClatchie Andrews Clinton, N. Y.

If Mr. Reagan wants to cut the fat off Government spending, perhaps he should start at home by educating his wife to set an example.

Denise Stewart-Sanakria Norwood, Mass.

Don't you think it is about time for us to lay off dear Nancy? After all, she is new to the job it took her ten or twelve years to gain.

Ruth Yates King sport, Tenn.

Motown Woe

Doesn't it seem strange that at a time when Big Business and some Government economic experts have told us price and wage controls will not work and are "the wrong way to go," the Chrysler Corp. has asked for a two-year wage freeze for its workers and for a price cut on materials from its suppliers [Dec. 29]?

Thomas M. Spencer Washington, D.C.

In our neck of the woods, substitute teachers are paid $30 to $35 a day. It will be a long time before I can pay for a car that is put together for $20 an hour.

Elizabeth Died rick Edgerton, Wis.

Energy Saving

In reference to your article "The Seven Lean Years" [Dec. 22]: Whom are you kidding? Why blame the price of oil for the energy crisis? If the U.S. Government had left the price of oil to the marketplace, it would have gone up long ago, as it has in most other countries. We Americans would have long since thought of smaller cars, insulation for homes and alternative fuel sources.

Charlotte Clay Sawyer San Diego

Those idiots who exhort us to "split wood, not atoms" have engineered the greatest potential environmental disaster in history. The fouled air, sterile waters and mountains of sludge generated by burning millions of tons of coal will be the legacy of our folly in ignoring the great promise of nuclear power.

Sean T. Mulligan Brookfield, Mass.

If the experts think coal consumption will cause "possible irreversible damage to the world's environment," what do they think nuclear waste will do? And as for a "healthy growing economy," how about healthy growing children?

Debbi Farr Van Nuys, Calif.

Joni's Friend Thank you for telling Joni Eareckson's story [Dec. 29]. Now others will know where to turn for help in their time of deep need--to Joni's best friend, her God.

Louise Prinsell Houghton, N. Y.

Vital Transplants Re "Are Some Patients Being Done In?" [Dec. 29]: I am a transplant patient and have many other transplant patients as friends. I received a successful transplant, but not until my third attempt. My friends have not all been so lucky, and some of them have died because of articles like this, which bring down the donor list by as much as 50%. You should apologize for presenting only one side of a truly life-and-death issue.

Daniel Walker Elkins Park, Pa.

Old Kinderhook An additional nickname for President Martin Van Buren can be added to the two in the sprightly Essay [Dec. 29] on what to call Mr. Reagan. Our eighth President was called "Old Kinderhook," after the New York State municipality that was his home, and "O.K." was shouted in torchlight parades in enthusiasm for him.

Hence that quintessential American affirmation, O.K.

Franklin Courtney Ellis Winnetka, Ill.

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