Harvard, Radcliffe YR's to Form New Single Political Organization

The Harvard and Radcliffe Republican Clubs are expected to merge into a single political organization.

A union of the two clubs would leave the Choral Society and the dance club the only all-Radcliffe organizations.

Charles K. Scott '67, vice-president of the Harvard Club, said yesterday that a merger of the two Republican clubs had been prevented for the last two years because of "certain reactionary elements in the club who didn't believe in women politicians."

The rules of the State Young Republican organization is another reason the two clubs have remained separate, according to Scott. Each club is given five votes at State conventions, regardless of its size. "Radcliffe was maintained as a satellite organization to give Harvard votes," he said.

Jay B. Stephens '68, operations director of the Harvard Republicans, forecasted that the Radcliffe Club, with fewer than 40 members, would be greatly strengthened in a merger with the 402-member Harvard Club.

Under the proposed merger, Radcliffe members would help to write policy reports, to publish the Harvard Republican Review, and would be eligible for executive office. Once passed, the resolution will go into effect immediately.

The union involves a constitutional amendment for the Harvard Club. It must be passed in two separate general membership meetings by a two-thirds majority of those at the meeting.

A first meeting was held before spring vacation, and the resolution was approved; the second meeting will be held tomorrow.