Readers Report

AN `APPALLING' ATTITUDE TOWARD TECHNOLOGY LEADERSHIP

You are correct in pointing out that neither government nor industry has thus far stepped up to the challenge of maintaining U. S. leadership in critical technology ("The new alchemy," Cover Story, July 29). We need both a coherent government initiative--which many in Congress and the Bush Administration are encouraging--and much stronger private research. The apathy shown by American firms compared with their Japanese counterparts--described by Frank Fradin (Argonne National Laboratory) and Anders Westerberg (Air-glass)--is appalling.

Senator Jeff Bingaman

(D-N. M.)

Washington