Politician Russell Stirs Criticism By Avoiding Audience Questions

Jack D. Russell, called by some the last of the old-time politicians, last night stirred up a hornets' nest of criticism by studiously avoiding questions put to him by his Gov 141 audience.

The head of the Cleveland City Council was invited here to address the course in "Municipal Government" on "Practical Politics" by its head, Norton E. Long, a visiting professor of Government.

Asking questions prepared by the Cleveland Press, whose reporters and television technicians crowded the Littauer Lounge, members of the class sought to corner Russell on such topics as his attitude toward patronage, crookedness in municipal government, and an alleged brawl which took place in a Council meeting recently.

To the first Russell explained that everyone gave patronage, and that it was no crime to reward someone who had helped him politically.

On most of the other questions, Russell avoided direct answers by saying that the question had not been stated succinctly enough.