Richardson Hits State Corruption

Elliot L. Richardson '41, GOP candidate for State Attorney General, last night warned the Harvard Young Republicans that corruption and "continued political apathy" will lead to a destruction of democracy in Massachusetts. He declared that the state "has reached a critical stage in solving its own problems."

The situation is so bad, he said, that politicians now "get insulted" when someone probes their actions. "It's as though you were walking through a forest and overturned a log and found a colony of grubs scurrying about. They are upset because you have disturbed their way of life."

While he didn't know if Massachusetts was worse than other states in corruption practices, he said "you would certainly have to put it at the bottom of the scale."

Most of Richardson's attack was directed at William Callahan, chairman of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority. In Richardson's view, Callahan "has done a lot more harm than good for the state." Going further, the former president of the Harvard Law Review charged that Callahan has taken a "totalitarian approach" to his job.

No Consultation

Callahan acts under the assumption that he personally know what is best for Massachusetts, Richardson explained, but that attitude eliminates the need for public supervision or consultation with others.

Richardson also criticied Edward J. McCormack, the current Attorney General and candidate for the U.S. Senate. McCormack has been "weak and inadequate," according to Richardson, and hasn't taken any case unless the evidence was brought in to him.