Those That Eat Should Work

As early as the middle of the Spring Term and possibly earlier the local AVC chapter began trying to bring Henry A. Wallace to Harvard for a speaking engagement. Their efforts have been successful and Mr. Wallace is scheduled to speak at Sanders Theatre on October 1. His appearance is to mark the opening of a series of forums to which AVC plans to invite such politically intriguing personalities as Senator Wayne Morse, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Harold Stassen.

AVC is the logical agency to sponsor Wallace. The largest organization in the College, it has won a reputation as a smooth-working, effective group. And as a group that is both Veteran and liberal, its sponsorship provides an ideal setting for Wallace's appearance--though he could pack the house backed only by the S.P.C.A.

Sanders Theatre is not large enough to hold all those who will want to hear Wallace as he will draw not only those who share his views, but those who disagree with them and those who do not even know what his views are. Other meeting places have been investigated, but the only feasible alternative is the Yard, and this is an extremely remote possibility as the University, citing its venerable and rigid policy, has already declined to permit the use of Widener steps.

With the above facts in mind, the resolutions passed yesterday by a self appointed group, meeting in Phillips Brooks House, appear somewhat presumptive. Those present represented no organizations. They were assembled only after learning of Mr. Wallace's projected visit.

After defeating by one vote a motion that AVC surrender the sponsorship of Wallace to a University-wide committee which they would organize, the assemblage compromised upon a three point resolution: (1) AVC is to continue to be the sponsor of its first forum (2) A committee chosen from those in attendance is to form another committee, composed of University and non-University groups to attempt to induce the Administration to permit use of the Yard for a Wallace rally (3) This sub-committee of the original group will help select the persons who will sit on the platform with Mr. Wallace.

By effectuating the second part of this resolution the ad hoc committee could perform a desirable service. Although it is not noted for its pliability, the University might abandon tradition if urged by a large number of students and organizations. But the third part of the resolution makes the motives of those who passed it extremely suspect. They appear to be inordinately concerned with getting their names or the names of organizations to which they may belong associated with that of Mr. Wallace. There was no question of the competence of AVC to handle the details of the Wallace visit, nor was there any doubt that he would attract a capacity crowd, yet AVC is to be the recipient of some free advice on the conduct of its affairs. Such action suggests the presence of a willingness and an intent to appropriate part of the credit for work already done by AVC.