Freshmen Discuss Action in Case Congress Ends Student Deferments

Nearly 200 Harvard freshmen met in the Freshman Union Monday night to discuss possible ways of counteracting President Nixon's proposed abolition of H-S deferments granted after April 23, 1970.

The freshmen agreed to meet again next Monday in the Union Lounge to focus on specific proposals, including suggestions for a letter campaign to Congressmen and civil disobedience at Boston draft boards.

Monday night's meeting grew out of a series of discussions among several members of the freshman class about the now-imminent threat of the draft. Nixon asked Congress on April 23, 1970, for the abolition of all student deferments granted after that date, and Washington sources expect passage of the proposal this spring.

"The important thing that came out of the discussions was a really strong feeling of togetherness." said Mark Hunter '74, one of the participants.

At the Monday meeting, a large group favored political action to fight for retention of II-S deferments, but others claimed that the problem was greater than just the question of student deferments.

Michael Shulan '74, one of the members of the original discussion group, said, "We go! scared into thinking about the draft, but now that we've started thinking it doesn't much matter whether they take away the II-S."

One freshman proposed financing an antiwar, antidraft drive through a 10 per cent surcharge on all dope dealing. "It would provide antiwar revenue and a moral justification for smoking," he said.