Letters to the Editor

by the Readers

Military Salutes

I would like to both thank and commend Deborah Bolling for her article "War Cries" [May 27, 2004]. I know it was probably more difficult to produce without specifically interviewing Iraqi veterans, but the message was strong, clear and understandable. We know the problems facing returning Iraqi vets. [The] article lets them know that someone cares, there are agencies out there to help and, in many cases, this gives them the hope and faith to carry on.

Ed Lowry
Executive Director,
Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service & Education Center

Carpenter Refutes

I have been a carpenter for 24 years, in the carpenters union, and 15 as an independent contractor. I have also worked as an estimator for an office-renovation company. The common misconceptions about bids and estimates, which ["Top of the Hill," Amy L. Webb, May 13, 2004] both expresses and exploits to make a point, should be changed.

First of all, it is almost impossible to make an exact, correct estimate about a job before the job is started, and even before the job has evolved somewhat, and has been completed. The larger the job, the more unknown circumstances occur. The fact that Hill International "underestimated the amount of stucco work" (needed for NTI) should be understandable, and the extra work should not be paid for by Hill. It was more work: more man-hours (or woman-hours), more materials, more insurance, more taxes, etc. In what other highly skilled and risky job are individuals expected to pay for cost increases out of their own pockets? (Should a surgeon pay for extra blood needed during surgery?) This fallacy, that construction companies should present an ironclad estimate in advance, and stick to it through unforeseen conditions, is the cause of much shoddy work and dangerous conditions for workers, as companies fight to protect their profit. Secondly, Hill International had more experience than the other companies bidding on NTI. Hill International could handle NTI. Perhaps the other bidders could not. Usually the low bidder on a large job is the least experienced, and least-qualified bidder, if the bids show a very large margin of difference. The fact that Hill International donated money to certain political campaigns does not mean the company, or the politicians receiving their donations, are corrupt. The article quotes George Burrell: "we felt Hill could do the best job of the applicants and had a serious commitment to minority and women participation." What few observers wish to recognize is that doing a good job on construction work, and working to include more female and minority workers and contractors, costs more money. Yet, these higher costs result in better construction and a fairer, less-exclusive workplace.

Elizabeth Heller
via U.S. mail

Roots for Organ Donation

I'm glad the Gift of Life donor program was put into an overall positive light ["The $45 Million Man," Amy L. Webb, May 20, 2004]. However, the juxtapositioning of that, with the financial realities of body parts for sale for medical research, might confuse the average reader who doesn't read carefully. My husband of 18 years died suddenly at age 43. His organs were donated to Gift of Life; six people directly benefited. I wasn't thinking about making a profit when I consented to donation, but rather to help others avoid the loss of a family member and for the greater good of humanity.

Laurel Schwass-Drew
Philadelphia

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