To the editor:
Regarding a reference in The Eagle article "Cultural group calls for halt to art sale" (Sept. 21) that the Massachusetts Cultural Council did not know the terms of the Berkshire Museum's auction contract with Sotheby's: Since auction houses generally desire good relations with the museum community and need a constant supply of quality works to sell, they often make terms quite favorable to art institutions and sellers, not infrequently imposing no sellers' fees at all for the most valuable works.
If the Berkshire Museum director and board did not negotiate favorable terms regarding commission fees and withdrawal of consignments, they are even more incompetent than I had thought.
Ira Licht,
West Stockbridge