Basketball Fans Scurry as Miner and Murray Leave School in Hurry

Mike Downey’s editorial (May 8) illustrates the extreme of shallow thought that praises the monetary gain of a few and contributes to the current unrest of many in this city. The applauding of Harold Miner’s and Tracy Murray’s intentions to go through the NBA draft reflects societal thought that emphasizes multimillion-dollar sports contracts and minimizes cutbacks in the salaries of those responsible for the education of our children.

The importance of “going for the money” over other, less tangible, concerns characterized the actions of Mr. Milken and Mr. Boesky as they exploited the less fortunate. The same reasoning prompts many of our youth to “drop out” for self-defeating minimum-wage jobs with little reward and less future. It is the reasoning of the crack dealer on our streets.

Mr. Downey remarks at the gifts these young athletes bestowed upon their respective universities while failing to acknowledge the rewards of a completed college eduction offered in return. These fortunate and talented young men should have followed the advice of the latest public service campaign from the basketball league to which they aspire: “Stay in school!”

JOHN A. DONOVAN

Pasadena