LETTERS: JUST A LETTER MAKES BIG DIFFERENCE

To the editor:

A recent news dispatch reported an accident of a train approaching London. I was reminded of a similar incident several years ago when we were on the underground over there. There was a sudden jolt, which threw some people from their seats to the floor. A trainman came down the aisle reporting that we had had a "collusion." It seemed our train had rammed into another train. Newspapers the next morning gave us a full report of the accident. Some had been injured, but there were no fatalities. The newspapers reported that it was the first accident in many years. The British were proud of their record of safety on their trains.

We got off the train and walked underground a few blocks back in the tunnel until we arrived at another station where we could exit. It was good to get back to ground level and breathe some fresh air and see the light of day. We walked several blocks and caught a bus, which took us to our destination. Our colleagues in the office were pleased at our safe arrival and were almost apologetic as if they had been partly responsible.

What struck me most was the difference of only one letter between "collusion" and "collision." I was glad to know that there was no "collusion." It was a reminder of the importance of using both the right letter and word to convey the proper meaning or message one wished to impart.

IVAN NOTHDURFT

Cape Girardeau