Drinking Fountains: It’s Profits Versus Thirst

I was intrigued by a quote in your March 1 story, “Plaza del Sol: Eastside Mall Seeks Sunshine.”

Stella Bustos, described as a former public relations director and manager of Plaza del Sol, reacted to the absence of a drinking fountain in the mall with: “I am somewhat angry at the mentality of these Anglo men who come in and think Mexicans don’t get thirsty.”

Times have changed. When the same thing happened at Dodger Stadium 25 years ago, we understood the fountains were omitted not because baseball fans didn’t get thirsty, but because water was free whereas beer and sodas produced profits.

TERRY E. DeWOLFE

Monterey Park