Putnam Cheered at Free Speech Forum

Hilary Putnam, professor of Philosophy, last night vigorously attacked the University's reaction to the disruption of the counter-teach-in before an enthusiastic audience of close to 400. He was the featured speaker at a Progressive Labor Party "Forum on Free Speech" that drew one of the largest turnouts of any political meeting this term.

The forum consisted of an hour-long speech by Putnam punctuated with cheers and applause and followed by numerous questions and statements by members of the audience. Putnam first attempted to take the issue of free speech out of an "artificial, abstract context."

He talked at length about examples of American atrocities in Southeast Asia and linked foreign policy-makers with local slumlords and professors who do war-related research or government consulting work.

He then shifted to a refutation of specific arguments used to oppose the disruptive tactic. Putnam advocated more militant actions in the future, suggesting a picket line around University Hall to force a confrontation with University officials on the issue of discipline in the wake of disruption.

In conclusion, Putnam called the disruption a "genuine act of internationalism."

"We take the Vietnamese as our own community," he said. "We didn't see it as a polite debate. It is because the administration fears our anger and our perception that we have to do much more than heckle."

John T. Berlow '71, charged with criminal trespass by the University for disrupting the teach-in, spoke briefly. He said the warrant had not yet been served on him and that "apparently they aren't trying very hard."

Twice during the evening opposition to Putnam's views was expressed. At the end of the speech someone turned out the lights for a few moments. Earlier during the discussion David A. Guberman '71, a former member of theYoung People's Socialist League, attempted to read a prepared statement until Putnam took away his statement after a member of the crowd accused Guberman of not discussing anything but only reading.

Putnam said after Guberman left that Guberman had threatened to file CRR charges against him.

In Tuesday's Faculty meeting, Putnam charged the University with "selective repression of people because of their opinions" during debate on the proposal for Faculty disciplinary procedures. He referred to attempts on the part of several University officials to ascertain his participation in the disruption from newsmen.

Misunderstanding

Cox said in a statement yesterday after the Faculty meeting that Putnam was evidently "misinformed or misunderstood what was said to him." On the night of the teach-in, Cox stated, "an associate told me that he had observed professor Putnam's presence and saw him join in conduct evidently intended to prevent the speakers from being heard." Cox denied, however, that the administration had attempted "to single out professor Putnam or any other individual."

Yesterday Everett I. Mendelsohn, professor of History of Science, called the Faculty discipline proposal a "compromise" of Faculty autonomy in recommending disciplinary measures. "It's the best we could expect from our rather frightened committees," he said.