Published: November 26, 1990
To the Editor: 

In "A Modest Proposal" (editorial, Nov. 5), you say, "the scarcity of public toilets in New York City causes daily aggravation and discomfort for millions," and "there's an easily affordable response." You endorse London's system of public coin-operated toilets, which cost less than $2 million yearly to maintain after installation charges of $1.3 million for 100 units. 

Your suggested solution deserves more than passing consideration. 

For generations, women especially have had to suffer the indignity of standing on serpentine lines for a turn at inadequate numbers of facilities. No doubt, when plumbing code tables were formulated, no women sat on the advisory board that established the required number of stalls for restaurants, theaters and other places of public assembly. 

Both problems could be solved by a contractual agreement between city fathers and the proprietors, who could improve their bottom line by earning tax abatements for enlarging their facilities and gain modest yearly rental fees for permitting their public use. PETER F. GUIDA Great Meadows, N.J., Nov. 9, 1990 The writer is a retired plumbing contractor.