Opening Doors at Men’s Clubs

Lee G. Paul’s article “Men’s Clubs Shouldn’t Have to be Hammered Into Opening Their Doors for All” (Op-Ed Page, March 8) obscures the fact that the men’s clubs in question are a very real part of business in this country. Paul is confusing the right of private association assured under the Constitution with clubs that are involved in public and commercial activity.

Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor put it this way: “When a club enters the marketplace of commerce in any substantial degree, it loses complete control over its membership that it would otherwise enjoy if it confined its affairs to the marketplace of ideas.”

I would resent any club that enacts business with a tax exempt status, as this practice cheats the public.

DARBY MANGEN

West Covina