In reference to statements attributed to Sen. Max Baucus of Montana (BDN, Feb. 22-23), “Senator would limit imports if U.S. `obscene salaries’ cut.” The statement made by the senator pertained to the chief executive officers of the auto industry. He said, “Auto executives cannot expect to collect obscene salaries while they lay off U.S. autoworkers.”

Look who is calling the pot black! Let’s do a little reconstructing of the senator’s statement and say “Members of the U.S. Congress cannot expect to collect obscene salaries while thousands of Americans are without jobs.”

The senator went on to outline his standards for the auto industry which included “higher standards, efficiency and service.” I would suggest that Sen. Baucus heed his own rhetoric or leave his $129,500 job and do a stint on “Saturday Night Live.” They can use him. Paul E. Tardiff Bangor