PBH Cautiously Supports CNCV's Anti-War Petition

The executive committee of Phillips Brooks House Association has taken cautious steps to support the Cambridge Neighborhood Committee on Vietnam's anti-war referendum on the City's November 7 ballot.

In a letter sent to the chairmen of PBH's committees, the executive committee explains that the CNCV is "currently canvassing the Cambridge community in support of the petition, and is in need of volunteers."

The letter continues: "The Executive Committee believes that this is a valuable investment of time. We suggest that you consider releasing from his regular time commitments for a period of one week any volunteer who wishes to use that time to canvass, apart from PBH, in support of the referendum."

Non-Political

A spokesman for PBH said last night that volunteers who campaign on behalf of the petition will be representing CNCV, and not PBH. He added that PBH is a non-political organization and that it could jeopardize its standing with the University if it actively worked for the petition.

Robert D. Goldstein '69, who works with PBH's Roosevelt Towers Project, approached the executive committee at the beginning of the week and asked for volunteers to help campaign for the referendum.

No Authority

The executives explained to Goldstein that they had no authority to tell the committee chairmen to release PBH volunteers from their egular duties. Instead, the executive committee asked the chairmen to "consider" releasing their volunteers.

The PBH spokesman explained last night that the letter's main function was to get PBH volunteers thinking about the anti-war referendum. Any volunteers who decide to campaign may be expected to do this in addition to their regular duties, he said.