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Roger Rosenblatt, in writing about the newly revealed tape recordings made by Richard Nixon, recalled with fondness the laughs evoked by some of the remarks of past American Chief Executives [ESSAY, Nov. 24]. As a U.S. historian who focuses on the presidency, I found Rosenblatt's commentary downright hysterical until I got to the quote he attributed to Woodrow Wilson. In fact, it was Calvin Coolidge who said when a great many people are unable to find work, unemployment results. It's worth noting that Silent Cal had a sense of humor so dry that Alice Roosevelt Longworth said he looked like he'd been weaned on a pickle. DAVE ESPOSITO State College, Pa.
TREATING HIGH CHOLESTEROL
Your article "Matters Of The Heart" provided an excellent summary of the highlights of the American Heart Association's annual meeting [HEALTH, Nov. 24]. We were pleased that you recognized the importance of the study, which showed that in men and women with normal and near normal cholesterol levels, treatment with Mevacor reduced the incidence of first coronary events such as heart attack or unstable angina 36%. Unfortunately, the article incorrectly cited the generic name of Mevacor as pravastatin. The correct generic name is lovastatin. JOHN BLOOMFIELD, Director, Public Affairs Merck & Co., Inc. West Point, Pa.
ORIGINALLY DESIGNED DOLL
The Society For The Preservation Of History markets a high-quality collectible porcelain doll bearing the likeness of the late Princess Diana. In your "Di-ploitation Watch" item [PEOPLE, Nov. 17], you falsely claimed, without ever seeing an actual doll, that we are marketing a "cheesy Franklin Mint knockoff." The fact is our collectible doll is an original design produced by renowned artisans using the highest-quality materials. We did not copy any product of the Franklin Mint, and, in fact, we advertised this doll weeks before that firm came out with its model. Our doll is sold with an unconditional money-back guarantee. MARC J. KAPLAN, President The Society for the Preservation of History Inc. Urban Dale, Iowa
REGULATING HEALTH INSURANCE
Apparently, strong public opinion against federal regulation of health plans has left Margaret Carlson dazed and confused [WASHINGTON DIARY, Nov. 24]. Health insurers actually support consumer protection and favor reforms. Carlson ignores legislative proposals that would raise premiums anywhere from 7% to 39%. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that a 1% hike in health-insurance costs would cause around 200,000 people to lose their coverage. Four out of five respondents to a recent survey rejected federal regulation of managed-care plans. Perhaps they, unlike Carlson, are aware that more federal regulation means more uninsured. MICHAEL P. FORTIER Vice President, Federal Affairs Health Insurance Association of America Washington
NOT WHAT WE WATCH
Your report on the increased numbers of TV programs for preschoolers [TELEVISION, Nov. 24] needed more balance. Concerned parents should read Jane Healy's Endangered Minds and Marie Winn's The Plug-In Drug before plopping their kids down in front of a TV set for hours a day. Evidence and research point to the need for severely restricting (if not eliminating) TV viewing for preschoolers. It is not what we watch; it is that we watch. JEFFREY R. DAVIS Durham, N.C.