To the Editor: John Talbott's wide-ranging professional achievements are well known, but here I comment on one of his milestone editorial decisions to improve the quality of Hospital and Community Psychiatry : the introduction of formal statistical reviews for research reports.

As one of several statistical reviewers, I had the opportunity to observe how John balanced requiring authors to meet higher standards in reporting their research while at the same time not requiring more from them than their research situations permitted. This realism seemed especially important, given the nature of much health services research and the professional diversity of the authors who sought publication in this journal. I have often seen John insist that manuscripts be improved to meet higher statistical standards and, at the same time, give authors every possible assistance in making the requested improvements. I should also add that John's receptiveness to papers from authors of all professional backgrounds seemed to me, and I'm sure to many others, to be a wise and inclusive policy.

I think that the satisfaction I have experienced as a reviewer says something about John and his editorial staff. The generous doses of appreciation that I—and I assume other reviewers—have received for our efforts over the years is ultimately a reflection of the skill and humanity of John Talbott, Editor Emeritus of Psychiatric Services. It was an honor to have worked with him for so many years. I wish him well.

Mr. Lorei has been an editorial consultant on statistics and methods for the journal since 1983.