NO HARVARD STEAM HEAT FOR RINDGE IS DECREED BY CITY

By a vote yesterday the Cambridge City Council expressed its disapproval of Mayor Richard M. Russell's proposal to purchase heat from Harvard University for the use of the new Rindge Technical School. The outcome of the discussion was the adoption of an order calling for the establishment of a central heating plant in the School, and a motion for an investigation by the city solicitor as to the legality of Mayor Russell's plan.

A year ago, G. K. Sauerwein, University engineer, explained that Mayor Russell of Cambridge asked the cooperation of the University in supplying heat for the school building now under construction, to prevent an expensive outlay of new tunnels. The Corporation and President Lowell approved a proposed three party contract, by the terms of which city authorities would purchase at cost from the University heat which it had in turn bought from the Cambridge Electric Light Company.

Gesture of Good Will

As the University owns the tunnels, the light company cannot sell directly to the city. The proposed arrangement was looked on as a gesture of good will, and would not have been entered into unless approval was forth-coming from all concerned.

In a statement recently A. L. Endicott, comptroller, said, "Harvard had no special interest in the project, expected no gain, but wished merely to oblige the city in an economical heating plant for the school, and if there is any objection to the project by the city, the state or the courts, Harvard will be satisfied to drop their offer to assist the city.

Sauerwein, commenting on the question, declared that Harvard would not supply heat from its steam tunnels for the new Rindge School unless it met with the approval of the authorities.