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The claim may be inaccurate, but no Soviet reader would impute any negative intent to it. To the Western visitor, the majority of Moscow street sweepers appear to be women—and the older the better. Babushka seems to have only two choices: baby-sit with the grandchildren or help sweep the streets. The circumstances of this exclusively geriatric female occupation is not completely lost on the Russians, however. During the Khrushchev regime (remember him?), the following joke was current in Moscow: It was rumored Khrushchev had an argument with a woman member of the party Presidium. "I'll have you sweeping streets!" he threatened her. "You can't," came the cold reply. "I'm not old enough."
CARL EDWIN LOVETT JR.
Diplomatic Courier
American Consulate General
APO New York
How to Get the Bugs Out
Sir: Here is what Henry Ford should do if he really wants to compete with Volkswagen [Feb. 23]. Send Mrs. Ford, suitably disguised (good luck), with the ailing family car to a dealer for repairs. If her luck is like mine, she will be ignored or treated like an idiot. Nothing will be covered by the warranty.
When she recovers from the shock of the bill, she will find the original ailment still there plus a few new ones (iatrogenic mechanical failure?).
Then let Mrs. F. take a "Bug" to the Volkswagen agency for service. What a difference. At the risk of sounding like a shill for VW, I have made the comparison. Never have I received anything but prompt, courteous and competent service at the dealers. The work is often covered by the warranty, and the bills are reasonable.
The name of the game, Henry, is service!
LEAH LEDDON
Philadelphia
Sir: Henry Ford II's observation: "New models every year and all this hoi polloi about introductions and all that are becoming passé," outdoes Mrs. Malaprop at her best.
J. W. ROCKEFELLER JR.
Consulting Engineers
Elizabeth, N.J.
Sir: Well, if he wants us hoi polloi to continue buying his automobiles, he had better stop confusing us with that well-known auto color, hulla blue.
JAMES A. WOODS
University Park, Pa.