The thing Elmer Stuetzer misses most during the St. Louis newspaper strikes is the editorial page, he told United Press International. ”That’s where the letters columns are,” added the 67-yearold St. Louis resident, who pointed out he has been writing letters to the editor since 1962. “I really miss them,” he said. Of course, all editorial page editors enjoy hearing that sort of thing, But, more importantly, Mr. Stuetzer’s comments have prompted The Herald to point out that it considers the letters column a vital part of the newspaper – fulfilling a major purpose of the free press – that of providing a sounding board for public opinion. Although Mr. Stuetzer, by his own count, reported that he wrote scores of public – spirited messages last year alone, The Daily Herald does not advocate that anyone be so prolific. The Herald does, however, invites all interested readers to submit any messages that they consider to be of value or interesting to other readers. In the case of Mr. Stuetzer, he explained that his letters were sent to some nine different small and large newspapers in his area of Missouri – and he promptly listed all nine of them. “My average in getting them printed in one paper or another is one out of three,” he said, adding, ”That’s pretty good, I think.” Of course, Mr. Stuetzer’s example is somewhat unusual, which naturally prompted UPI to write about him and his comments, But his example does serve to point out that the letters – to – the editor columns are considerably more open to all readers than what most people think. Of course most newspapers, including The Daily Herald, would prefer one, two or three letters from a couple hundred different readers during the year rather than many letters from one or a few individuals. The unusual example of Mr. Stuetzer does, however, provide some hints to others who may be interested in writing a letter to the editor. Mr. Stuetzer reported he scans the letters columns with an experienced eye. He knows what will catch an editor’s fancy. “I kind of think they want things everyone is interested in rather than narrow topics,” he said. “Most important/’ he added, “it must be topical. There’s no sense writing about something that hasn’t been newsworthy for six month. “Every once in a while, though, I like to throw in something light” – in a humorous vein, he explained. He also indicated that the somewhat shorter messages seem to be published more often by the editors. And The Herald consider’s Mr. Stuetzer’s advice fairly accurate, although not quite complete, It’s also important to point out that the letters columns here at The Herald are open to all shades of opinion. We believe some 90 to 95 percent of all those letters submitted to The Herald are published. Those letters that have been rejected were unsigned, too long, contained potentially illegally damaging statements, were in exceedingly poor taste, or made statements we recognized as simply being untrue. So, keeping these guidelines in mind, perhaps you will not be surprised, if you have a letter published on a controversial subject, to see another a few days on the same issue, but giving an opposing point of view. Your signature, along with an address or perhaps a telephone number, basically are requested simply so that you may be contacted if there is any question as to the meaning or intent of a portion of your letter. These simple guidelines spell it out. Now the invitation is open to you and all other readers, and hopefully, with all your doubts having been cleared away. Incidentally, in Mr. Stuetzer’s case, he may soon be back in his finest letter – writing form since four of the five striking newspaper unions in St. Louis were scheduled to vote throughout today on proposed new contracts. So They Say “There’s no doubt at all in my mind that a lot of these sightings are lit up insects because in those conditions they would have to light up.” – Dr. Philip S. Callahan, a Florida entomologist, asserting that a flurry of UF0 sightings in the late 1900s in Utah coincided with expected mass migrations of spruce budworm moths.