To the publisher: The loss of Will Rogers's Ranch House and Homestead in the Palisades Fire is deeply sad (“At the historic house of Will Rogers, a painful question after the fire: what comes next?” May 4). Rogers was a great American and humanist humorist whose folk style would be welcome today. His joke from the era of depression – “There is as much money today as ever. Only fewer people have it ” – is as relevant today as when he said. I hope that his memory will be able to continue to be honored on the property.
The eucalyptus he had planted, unfortunately, were perhaps partly responsible for the loss of the ranch because they are a very fuel species. Even if they are historically significant, it seems logical to replace them with an indigenous tree such as Coast Live Oak, which is resistant to fire and offers a large habitat to local fauna.
Tony Baker, Rancho Palos Verdes
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To the publisher: I'm sorry to learn that the Rogers Ranch House has burned. It is an important element of Americana, and the staff editor Hailey Branson-Potts did an excellent job to summarize the heritage of this incredible man. A favorite joke of Rogers is held with me: “I am not a member of an organized political party. I am a democrat. “
Mark Salvaggio, Bakersfield
