Faculty Members Evaluate Congress

Several members of the Faculty agreed yesterday that the 87th Congress had solved very few of the problems which had faced it, and that President Kennedy would continue to be plagued by the Southern conservatives disrupting his own party. They disagreed, however, on Kennedy's effectiveness as a leader.

Charles R. Cherrington, professor of Government, stated that Congress is headed for a "great stalemate." He said that the split in the Democratic party had hurt Kennedy considerably, and that he did not think that Kennedy had proven an effective President.

"I will vote for him again," said Cherrington, "but he's not the man I thought he was. He lacks a basic quality of leadership."

Frank B. Friedel, professor of History, on the other hand, lauded Kennedy's work as President.

"He is a great deal better than many liberals suppose." said Friedel. "He faces a coalition which has controlled Congress since 1938, and since 1938 no truly effective legislation has been passed."

Robert G. McCloskey, professor of Government, termed the Trade Bill "a success" but felt that the 87th Congress as a whole had been of "little value," and was uncertain about the future.

"Kennedy must inevitably face the Southern conservatives," McCloskey said. "I thought a month ago that the Democrats would lose significantly. I now think that this may be a very good election for Kennedy. But who knows what the situation will be like a month from now."