Hunt Will Try to Stop PBH Religious Changes

Douglas W. Hunt '55, president of the Phillips Brooks House Association, last night charged that his group will be faced with financial ruin if endowment funds are turned over to outside religious groups.

Hunt will attempt to stop efforts of Cornelius D Hastie '52, graduate secretary of Brooks House, to open house endowments and office space to major religious groups, in spite of tentative approval of such a plan by his cabinet last Wednesday.

The PBH Association has faced extensive expansion during the past year, along with diminishing of funds. "Barring a miracle," Hunt said, "We would not be able to operate on our present basis if these religious groups were allowed to use part of the endowment spent traditionally by us."

Speaking of Hastie, Hunt said, "Neil thinks that money is just going to pop up out of nowhere when it is needed, just because it is for religion. We can't run a program or plan a budget on assurance of that kind."

Hunt revealed that two years ago the Association was only able to pay its bills by borrowing from the following year's endowment funds. With the drop in Combined Charities collections this past year and PBH program expansion, the Association will have difficulties in meeting the present budget. Without its ordinary endowment fund Hunt feels the Association could not continue its present program.

Hastie has, according to Hunt, already staged a special fund drive among alumni in order to meet these rising costs. "It was undoubtedly the most unsuccessful drive in years." Hunt said, Less than $1000 was raised. Previous drives achieved approximately $6000.

"We are afraid of losing our funds and being kicked out of our office," Hunt said. He expressed regret that Hastie, adviser to the association, was "apparently tearing down our organization for something that he is more interested in."

According to Hunt, Hastie is basing his reintroduction of religion to Brooks House on an invalid historical appeal. Since PBH's founding, many groups which originated in the house have withdrawn, including the religious organizations, the Law School Legal Aid Bureau, and the Foreign Students Center.

"We are not against religion," Hunt emphasized. "But this type of thing could be formed at Memorial Church. PBH is not the place for it."