Royal Wedding

To the Editors:

While it was the wedding of the century ["Magic in the Daylight," Aug. 3], it was more than a ceremony. It was a healthy display of the monarchy. As an American, I still find royalty's mystery captivating and its majesty enchanting.

Theresa L. Thayer

Detroit

It was a good show. Now back to the world of 4 million unemployed, the Northern Ireland debacle and riots in the streets. Solve them. That would be what I would call a really good show.

Philip Schacca

West Hempstead, N. Y.

When one is tired of London, and all its pomp, pageantry and princely people --one is tired of life. Long live the monarchy!

Robert K. Adams

Philadelphia

Twenty-five million dollars invested in the monarchy produces $640 million in business? Where can we hire a Prince of Wales?

Wyhe Jordan, M.D.

Austin

Imagine such pomp and circumstance for two people of dull intellect and no accomplishments! It is time the modern world realized the ridiculousness of monarchies. Prince Charles' and Lady Diana's sole achievement is having been born into royal and noble families.

William J. Poulin Jr.

Boston

When I was just a little girl, I asked my mother, "Shall I be pretty like Diana and marry a prince, or shall I be smart and become a judge like Sandra?" She answered, "Be pretty and smart and become a legal secretary."

Beverly Easter

Colton, Calif.

Watching Watt

According to your story "A Watt That Produces Steam" [Aug. 3], White House aides believe that James Watt's difficulties "stem more from style than substance." How would a mere change of style help protect our environment from Watt's narrow, future-be-damned attitude?

Linda D. Fruge

Turlock, Calif.

Secretary of the Interior Watt says that he doesn't "believe government should stand in the way of the free market." The notion of a free market first and the environment second creates the illusion that human beings are on this planet as landlords, not boarders. Such an anthropocentric view can only result in disaster. Government intervention is far preferable to the lack of concern for the environment that has been demonstrated by the free market.

Michael P. Ripple

Somerville, Mass.

If I have to pay higher gasoline and home heating oil prices next year, I, along with many other Americans, am going to blame the Sierra Club, the Friends of the Earth and the National Wildlife Federation.

John M. Kuhn, M.D.

Wausau, Wis.

Lawyers' Largesse

Regarding lawyers' "Fat Fees" [July 27], I am a lawyer in one of Minneapolis' finest firms. Considering my education, talents, reponsibilities and how hard I work, I believe that my pay so far has been on the low side. Perhaps you might set the record straight by emphasizing that the top people in any field should make a very good living. That's the American way and the consumer gets his money's worth nine times out often.

Elizabeth W. Norton

Minneapolis

In my association with lawyers, I have discovered four common characteristics: rudeness, arrogance, unprofessionalism and greed. The last characteristic, and not overhead, is the reason for their high fees.

John A. Welsh

Livermore, Calif.

Drinks for the Road

I would like to thank the organizers of MADD and RID ["They're MADD as Hell," Aug. 3]. Seven years ago, my older brother was critically and permanently injured in an automobile accident caused by an intoxicated driver. In addition, one person was killed and five were hurt. The individual responsible sustained no injuries and is still driving.

Elizabeth Gotthard Nathans

Pipersville, Pa.

The Finns have taken strong measures toward solving their drunk-driving problem. They sentence anyone caught behind the wheel who shows evidence of alcohol to several months in prison. When will we learn, as Finland has, that we should keep those who have had any alcoholic drink off the road?

Ede D. Baldridge

Fairfield, Conn.

As the 17-year-old daughter of a truck owner-operator, I would like to clarify that "an intoxicated trucker" is a rarity. Statistics prove that in the majority of cases the main problem is not drinking truckers but intoxicated car drivers.

Tone Norberg

Lindsborg, Kans.

My best friend was 13 years old when she was killed by a drunk driver. I hope that the offenders never let themselves off the way the judges do. I am bitter because not only did they take my friend's life, but they also took a great deal of my own life.

Anna Ullrich

Mahwah, N.J.

Paroling a Murderer

The case of Jack Henry Abbott ["In the Belly of the Beast," Aug. 3] proves that rehabilitation is a misunderstood word. According to one definition, it means "to return to a former way of life." Abbott stands as an example of the American penal nightmare.

Chuck Singleton

Pensacola, Fla.

Several years ago, I was chief of psychiatry at a federal penitentiary. I learned then that unless people with violent backgrounds gain insight into the cause of their problems, their explosive tendencies will remain. Prison walls, although unpleasant, can control these proclivities. Unfortunately, parole boards usually look at the time served and the good behavior. They do not determine if an inmate understands and has command of his actions. The result is that people are paroled who still have a strong bent for crime.

Alan H. Peck, M.D.

Baltimore

Jack Henry Abbott's release from prison is living proof that a criminal's lot can sometimes depend upon the wealth and importance of the people he knows. It would be entirely fitting for Norman Mailer to be tried as an accessory in the murder of Richard Adan and for the parole personnel to serve the balance of Abbott's term.

Neil R. Ayer

Boston

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