Government Involvement in Development

I was astonished to read, in the article "World Bank Report Stresses Democracy," July 8, the comments of Patrick Coady, United States executive director on the Board of the World Bank, about the 1991 World Development Report (WDR). He apparently disagrees with the thoughtful analysis of the WDR, that governments in less developed countries continue to have a role in building infrastructure, environmental protection, education, and making sure that poverty programs are carried out.This "solution" of removing government from the mainstream of the fight against these tragedies, without getting the private sector to pick up the baton, is rather absurd. Its ineffectiveness is very visible in the US, where in every city homeless and hungry people are everywhere. J.R. Williams, Cambridge, Mass. Letters are welcome. Only a selection can be published, subject to condensation, and none acknowledged. Please address them to "Readers Write," One Norway St., Boston, MA 02115.