Sequoia Monument

* Re “Giant Sequoia National Monument Created,” April 16: This is a most welcome and much needed action by President Clinton. Any action to preserve even one of the world’s oldest and most enduring trees, or anything else of historical value, brings out the naysayers to protest the loss of a single job.

But where would this country be if it were not for such giants as Presidents Teddy and Franklin Roosevelt and others who have left us a legacy of national parks, forests and monuments for all to enjoy, not just the destructive commercial sharks. Much more is at stake than the dignity of a few jobs, for when all of the trees have been reduced to stumps, where then are all the jobs as well as the magnificent beauty and recreational possibilities for millions of people? Right on, Mr. President.

JAMES R. PRATLEY

U.S. Forest Service (Ret.)

San Diego