For such a contentious subject, TIME'S special report on socialism (March 13) drew a remarkably calm and reasoned set of responses from our readers, as reflected in the excerpts printed in this week's Letters column. In contrast, the cover story on the serene Cheryl Tiegs (March 6) brought a surge of emotion-charged letters--555 at last count. Most of our critics were angry and articulate women who found the story sexist. Predictably, the most enthusiastic supporters were males who felt that the cover was, as one put it, "a breath of fresh air."

Week after week TIME'S readers write, continuing a dialogue with our writers and editors that the magazine has always encouraged. In 1977, 58,518 readers sent in letters, just a bagful less than 1976's election-year record of 59,071.

Among our heaviest mail producers was the coverage of the widely acclaimed television series Roots, based on Alex Haley's bestselling book. Americans became fascinated with finding their own roots, and our stories drew 710 letters. A trio of articles on the clash between gay liberationists and Anita Bryant produced 997 letters; most of the correspondents were angry at Bryant. As it happened, the subject that drew the most comment was not a story at all. When TIME'S new graphic design appeared in August, most of the 1,900 comments were sharply negative. But within a month the furor had died down, and readers were writing in to say that they were warming to the changed format as to a new friend.

Every day, four or five bulging mailbags arrive on the 23rd floor of the Time-Life Building in Rockefeller Center. The letters are immediately pored over by Letters Chief Maria Luisa Cisneros and her staff. The most newsworthy are sent to Reporter-Researcher Nancy Chase, who picks those that will be published. A digest of the week's letters is also distributed to TIME'S editors and news bureaus. All letters are acknowledged, and those that question the tone, emphasis or factual content of a story are answered by Cisneros, her deputy, Isabel Kouri, or one of six letters correspondents. More and more, Cisneros and her co-workers are finding that the letters are thoughtful, and require thoughtful replies. Says Cisneros: "Our writers are much more serious now. They really mean business." All of which pleases the writers and editors of TIME, who pay close attention to the comments of their best critics.

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