Re: PUBLIC AGENCIES' COMPUTER FAILURES

Your editorial ("High-Tech Titanics" Sept. 11) laments the fact "taxpayers are footing huge bills for computer systems that sink, even though these fiscal disasters can be avoided." Unfortunately, your recommendation that a solution requires more diligence by public agencies treats only the symptoms rather than the disease. Public agencies experience fiscal mismanagement because they have no competition comparable to businesses in the private sector. Practices that would bankrupt a company do not bankrupt public agencies, which are able to continue their existence in spite of poor performance. While many public agencies are necessary in today's society, many others are not. A better recommendation is the Libertarian one, which calls for reduction in the number of services provided by the government.

STAN WARFORD
Malibu