Your July 11 editorial "Pure speculation" accurately reflected on our oil-connected president and slow-moving Congress. Rep. Bob Etheridge's proposed legislation might, and I repeat "might," have some effect on the precipitous rise in gas prices.

Many people are talking about drilling for oil and alternative energy sources. Neither of these will have an immediate effect on the price of gas.

Recently Sen. John Warner from Virginia sent a letter to the Department of Energy requesting information on the results of legislation in 1974 that reduced the national speed limit to 55 mph. The reduced speed limit saved 167,000 barrels of oil per day at a time when there were far fewer vehicles on the road.

We need to reduce our speed limit to 60 mph. Many people would not support such legislation, but it is the best way to have an immediate impact on the price of gas. It would also show the world that this country is serious about reducing our massive consumption of oil.

We are on a one-way road toward serious energy and economic difficulties. A very small change toward some slight conservation would be just what we need to lower gas prices.

Marvin Woll, Raleigh