Salary Doesn’t Fit Job

On April 18, you reported that Roger B. Smith’s combined salary, stock options and stock grants from General Motors totaled at least $2.2 million in 1987.

It occurs to me, in a blinding flash, that this kind of remuneration cannot possibly be for being in charge of the production of bad cars year in, year out. The truth has got to be very exciting, and I hope my hunch is true. Smith, and his No. 2 man, Robert Stempel ($1.2 million), are well along the way in secretly developing a cure for cancer, and General Motors is fronting for them. I think it’s wonderful.

LEE RAY

Los Angeles