Student Organizations Defend ADA Against Charges Made by Furcolo

The Young Democratic Club and the Liberal Union last night sharply criticized State Treasurer Foster Furcolo for his suggestion Saturday that the Americans for Democratic Action disband because it is "undermining" the Democratic Party.

Furcolo, a former ADA endorsed Democratic congressman from Springfield, said at the ADA's convention in Boston that the Democratic Party has the program "the nation needs," but is being undermined and weakened by two groups, the "ultra-conservative' wing of the Republican party, and the "ultra-liberal" wing of the Democratic party, or the ADA.

"Whether rightly or wrongly," Furcolo said, "the fact is that the public is apt to oppose immediately whatever you support." Furcolo implied by this, ADA leaders believe, that the group is considered a "pinko" organization.

Fred J. Willman '56, president of the Young Democrats, in a statement supported by Jerry Ankers '55, president of the Liberal Union, said:

"It was one of the most shameful surrenders to political expediency I have ever seen. He employed a sophisticated manner resembling McCarthyism. He seems to have purposely forgotten that ADA was formed in 1947 by militant anti-Communist Liberals to fight Communism. His implied charge of 'leftism' in the ADA is as foolish as it is vicious."