‘America and Its Poor’

In the play, “Death of a Salesman,” Willy Loman’s wife declares passionately that “attention must be paid!” to the plight of a hard-working man, displaced and destroyed by a changing society beyond his control.

The Times, in its devastating report on poverty, has paid attention to the millions of Americans displaced and despairing in today’s society.

And on the very day the brilliant series concluded, we read that the Congress of the United States had approved $27 million in so-called “humanitarian” aid to Nicaraguan insurgents.

It is time--it is high time--that Congress--and the governor and the Legislature--not only pay attention but take action to share America’s bounty with the people who are America and who have no other avenue of hope.

VIRGINIA M. DONOHUE

Los Angeles