Funds for Science

Re “Clinton to Ask $3-Billion Increase for Science,” Jan. 21: We don’t need an increase of money for information technology. Business and industry will support that area of scientific and technological development. True: Bill Clinton’s ham and sausage order was placed on an Internet spawned by Department of Defense projects of the ‘70s, but information science, with its clear commercial applications, will continue to be supported by consumers like Clinton in any case.

Research grants should routinely include archiving requirements so that archiving does not need separate funding. How about funding for other areas, like fine arts, where business, not seeing an immediate benefit, does not intervene and government support is necessary to keep them alive?

LOUISE KING

Pasadena