Women Still Hold Harvard Building

As the women's occupation of the Harvard Architectural Technology Workshop moves into its third day, Harvard officials have denied rumors of injunction or forcible eviction. Robert Tonis, chief of University Police, said last night that the University has not yet obtained an injunction.

Sympathizers to the occupation are planning a rally at noon today at Holyoke Center. They will march to University Hall to present signed petitions in support of the occupation to Dean Dunlop.

In an interview yesterday, Archibald Cox '34, professor of Law and University troubleshooter, said, "The University has no intention of allowing the occupants of the Architectural Technology Workshop to remain there. We are currently considering the most effective means of requiring occupants to leave if they do not shortly leave voluntarily."

Cox declined to comment on the nature of these means, but added, "I am very opposed to negotiating with outsiders who have unlawfully taken possession of a University building."

Dean Dunlop refused yesterday to comment on the occupation. Daniel Steiner '54, Legal Counsel to the University, had nothing to add to Cox's statement, but said that discussions would continue today.

Despite rumors of possible police action, the women occupying the building are determined to remain until forcibly evicted. Many are speaking of physical resistance. The windows and front door have been guarded by women on hourly shifts since Saturday afternoon.

At 2 p. m. yesterday, a group of about 20 men representing Harvard Young Republicans picketed the occupied building. They blared their opposition to the takeover through a loudspeaker system to the women in the building.

"We feel that a group, no matter how righteous it considers its cause, does not in this country have the right to further its objectives by breaking the law," said the Young Republicans. "Why are you here?" they demanded of six women guarding the door.

The women refused to answer. "To recognize their presence would credit them with too much importance," ex-plained one woman in the building.

When asked why there were no women in the group of picketers, one Young Republican answered, "It's too cold out here for them."

In a letter to President Pusey yesterday, Ann Michelini and Phyllis Jones, Co-Chairmen of the Graduate Women's Organization (GWO), said: "The University's unwillingness to be convinced [of the need for day care] by meetings and letters and reports seems to have made it clear that only radical, public, and embarrassing pressure will convince them that a need exists."

The GWO recommended that the University sponsor a day care center in part of the largely unoccupied building.

Harvard reportedly sent an electrician to padlock the switch-box controlling the building's electricity. Members of the occupying group cut the padlock with a saw, the Herald-Traveler said today.

Harvard officials said Saturday that the steam pipes are old and might damage anyone approaching them too closely. But one woman said. "The problems of heat and electricity are not insurmountable. If it were that dangerous, Harvard would not have held classes here. Harvard has an obligation to the women of this community to restore the heat and donate the building for a women's center."

Cambridge Commissioner of Health, Dr. James Hartgering, said last night that the building has not been officially condemned, although he had earlier delivered a letter to the occupants stating that the building was unfit for occupation and asking the women to leave. But, he added, "It isn't a fit place for women and particularly children to be living."

"I have a vivid image of the occupation of Lawrence Hall," Cox said, "We didn't take steps then and look what happened. It ended in a dangerous fire during which a brick wall fell on firemen."

It is obvious, however, that the personal safety of the occupants is not Harvard's only concern. "We can't have groups occupying a University building just because they want to use it," he said.

The women held a party in the building last night, inviting area women to join them. Tensions between lesbians and straight women became obvious during the evening.

Several straight women left after being repeatedly approached by lesbians during the dancing. One Radcliffe woman, upset by what she felt were aggressive advances, said, "I don't have anything against gay women. I would be equally offended if they were men on the make instead of women."

The women held several meetings during the day, but no specific policy was decided on in the event of a bust.