HIGH COURT'S DECISION UNFAIR TO POOR TENANTS

IT was a sorry day, indeed, when the Supreme Court decided unanimously to
let public housing authorities throw tenants out on the street for illegal
drug activity by household members or visitors (Page 1B, March 27).

"Zero tolerance" sounds great on paper, but innocent tenants can be evicted
for the actions of other people -- people over whom they have no control.

In the instances that went before the Supreme Court, a 75-year-old man
received an eviction notice when it was alleged that his grandson was
smoking dope in the parking lot. A 78-year-old disabled man received an
eviction notice when his caregiver and two others allegedly were found with
cocaine in the elderly man's apartment. This was a man who needed care.
Could he seriously be considered capable of exerting control over his
caregiver?

Meanwhile, Enron officials told a state court that they couldn't provide
the documents the court needed, because of "the chaos" that exists in the
business now that it has declared bankruptcy. Poor and disenfranchised
people face eviction because of the actions of others over whom they have
no control. Do we really have to wonder what will happen to the officials
of Enron who can't seem to get their house in order?

Justice for the poor, mercy for the rich.

Evelyn Vigil

San Jose