Helpful

Patt Morrison is correct in saying that the J. Paul Getty Museum should buy the Watson brothers' photo collection ("Preserving L.A.'s Family Album," SoCal P.O.V., Sept. 6). I recently called the Getty looking for photos for a research project I'm working on. They tried to be helpful, but their photography on Los Angeles is substantially limited. Mike Valent Carpinteria

After retiring, my husband and I traveled to England in November for the second time. Our English friends surprised us with a weekend in Paris. Before we left, many skeptics told us how badly the French treat Americans, so we went with some trepidation. But the French were wonderful, gracious, helpful. As Barry J. Branagan recommended ("Let's Give the French Their Due," Letters, Jan. 26), all you need are a few words of French and you're off and running. My husband and I have always felt that no matter where you travel, you get back what you give.

I want to thank the people who rescued me when my car stalled in the middle of Santa Rosa Road near Verdugo Way on Aug. 29. I neglected to get their names during the emergency and this is the only way I have to thank them. It is gratifying to meet such caring and helpful people, and I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart and promise to do what I can to help others in emergencies. BARBARA RICHARDSON Camarillo

What a surprise! The OPEC ministers say that oil prices near $50 a barrel are not stifling world economic growth ("OPEC Votes to Hold Line on Production," Jan. 31). We all know that the growth of OPEC's Swiss bank accounts is not helpful to the American economy. For every extra $10 billion taken out of American consumers by $2-a-gallon gasoline, the economic welfare of American individuals and businesses is harmed. We should demand a congressional investigation of OPEC, including the question of why OPEC member Iraq is helping with this rip-off of America.

The letter about travel agents reminded me of how grateful I am to have a good one ("Travel Agents as a Line of Defense," Oct. 14). After the Sept. 11 attacks, I was stranded in a Birmingham, Ala., hotel for four days. My travel agent was incredibly helpful, doing the time-consuming work of checking and rechecking all the options. A good agent does much more than just help one get the cheaper ticket--which mine does as well. AUDRAY JOHNSON Riverside

Re "His Math Text Was the Standard, His Touch in Class Exceptional," obituary, May 8: It was quite refreshing to open The Times and see a front-page article highlighting the life of Louis Leithold, author and math instructor. The article truly captured his sincerity, humility and genius. Although I never personally met him, I did speak with him by phone on several occasions and found him to be very friendly and a helpful educator. I have used his calculus textbook series in my Advanced Placement calculus class for a number of years, and I found it to be an outstanding educational tool.

Re "Off the cuff, Gov. gets in some jabs," Feb. 5 I resent the latest article on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's tapes. How many more stories are you going to milk out of these tapes? Can we look forward to another round next month? You are allowing yourself to be used by others with a political agenda. There is a time when you have to ask yourself not, "Is this a headline-grabbing story?" but, "Is this helpful for the state?" Schwarzenegger is making a good-faith effort to work with Democrats.