Special Order

Re "Mayor focuses on crime," April 15 It's been years since I coached, but I have some free advice for L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: Your batting average will never improve if you continue to just swing for the fences. Villaraigosa has started so many wild initiatives that The Times would need to print a two-page table just to squeeze in the highlights. The travel commitments alone would stagger a normal man, including his campaign swings for Sen. Hillary Clinton. Stay around for a change and finish something.

In one of the few government rulings in the nation requiring specific protection for workers who use video display terminals, Cal/OSHA has ordered the Fresno Bee to provide adjustable furniture, training and hourly breaks from typing to lessen the risk of repetitive-strain injuries.

Re "Police face new suit on immigrants," April 11 Former Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl F. Gates had terrific foresight when he issued Special Order 40, relieving police officers of the responsibility of conducting stops or investigations based solely on the immigration status of a person. Gates' primary reason was to eliminate fears of deportation by immigrants who may otherwise cooperate with police. The best reason why Los Angeles police officers should not be an arm of immigration enforcement is that they should be available to attack more serious crimes, primarily the violent and murderous gangs that exist, a small minority of which are illegal immigrants.

On May Day last year, an inspiring day of peaceful protest here in Los Angeles was marred by a confrontation between two disreputable groups -- the thugs who exploited the event to tussle with police, and the police who responded with a melee of confused violence. There's no way to be sure that thugs won't show up again today, but there's every reason to expect that the police will be better prepared. In a visit to The Times this week, Police Chief William J. Bratton and his top brass -- including Deputy Chief Michael Hillmann, one of the LAPD's most respected veterans -- described a thoughtful plan for monitoring and, if necessary, controlling today's immigration marches.

Re "Ask and deport, family urges," April 9 This article reports that "City Councilman Ed Reyes said he had great sympathy for the [Shaw] family but believes any changes to Special Order 40 would 'have unintended consequences.' " That is the point -- getting illegal immigrants out of the country. If people are here illegally and committing crimes, then expect to be deported. If you come here, expect to work and assimilate into our society, not the other way around, and we will expect you to abide by our laws.

Stores come and go. So what is so special about Henshey's? A survey of people on both sides of the counter provides some answers. "Henshey's is such a nice place to work--comfortable," said Marianne Booth, who started in gift-wrapping 26 years ago and has since graduated to accounts payable. "In other stores you are lucky if you can find a salesperson, but here there's a special camaraderie with everyone--staff and customers.

Still searching for that one-of-a-kind holiday gift? How about a pair of snakeskin cowboy boots for baby? Or a sapphire-studded sterling belt buckle that would put a rhinestone cowboy to shame? Or a lavishly embroidered jacket? These are not your typical department store offerings. They're not even the kind of thing you'll see at most Western-wear stores.

That spare tire in your trunk may be going the way of the typewriter and transistor radio. Automakers are selling more cars without an extra wheel to trim weight, boost gas mileage and shave a few bucks off their costs. What happens if you get a flat? Some manufacturers equip cars with run-flat tires, while others are putting flat repair kits in the trunk. Both alternatives have drawbacks, and many motorists say the trend is unsettling. "I like the security of having a spare.