McCann Attacks Faculty Members For Conduct During Fall Campaign

State Sen. Francis X. McCann has charged members of the University Faculty with attacking him unjustly and harming "town-gown" relations during the recent election campaign.

McCann, who defeated Mrs. Cornelia B. Wheeler in the Nov. 6 general election, told the CRIMSON yesterday that a letter sent out over the signature of John H. Finley, professor of English and Master of Eliot House, charged him with "corrupt" actions.

The letter accused McCann of "leading the forces on Beacon Hill which have sought to do away with the present charter of the City of Cambridge" and thus restore "the old, corrupt ways."

The letter, mailed in mid-October, was addressed to "Members of the University Community" and was prepared by a "Committee to elect Mrs. Wheeler State Senator."

Frank B. Freidel Jr., professor of History, Charles M. Haar, professor of Law, and Mark DeWolfe Howe, professor of Law, are listed as members of the Committee. Several prominent members of the Cambridge Civic Association are also on the letterhead.

McCann admitted that politicians are "open to public criticism" but he asserted that "a man running for public office is entitled to his reputation until someone used concise facts to destroy it."

"I especially resent the attempt to link me with the old, corrupt ways," McCann said. "I'm hardly old enough to be involved with those days."

The Cambridge charter provides for a system of proportional representation in the City's elections and has been in effect since the 1940's. McCann has opposed PR because he considers it "impractical," and because "Cambridge is the only city in the country which retains the PR plan."

McCann was also concerned that an appeal had been made "to the University Community." "These people always call for better town-gown relations," he said, "then they try to isolate themselves." McCann declared that "we cannot afford these divisions in Cambridge."