LETTERS: JOE KENNEDY AND THE STOCK MARKET

To the editor:

Since there is much chatter about what's going to happen to the stock market, an item in another city newspaper caught my attention. It seems that this staff feature writer was noticing that the maintenance workers in his officer were talking constantly about their personal involvement in investments, mutual funds and the stock market. It brought to mind an anecdote about Joseph Kennedy, the patriarch of the Kennedy clan.

It is told that Mr. Kennedy went out one morning in the late 1920s for a shoe shine. While his shoes were being shined, the shoeshine boys were talking about their involvement in the stock market. When he returned to his office, he proceeded to sell all his stocks. He mused, "When the shoeshine boys get into the stock market, it's time for the smart money to get out."

That's all. Just thought I'd mention it.

GILBERT DEGENHARDT

Cape Girardeau