Peterson Will Not Ask Canaday To Cover Added Cost of Hall

Dr. Chase N. Peterson '52, vice president for alumni affairs and development, said yesterday that his office will not ask Ward M. Canaday '07 to finance the near-$300,000 cost overrun on the construction of Canaday Hall.

Peterson said that Canaday signed "what was in essence a contract" when he agreed in spring of 1973 to donate close to $3 million to build the freshman dormitory. That "contract" does not obligate Canaday to cover the overrun on the building, he said.

Canaday said late last week from Toledo, Ohio, that he was not told of the overrun on the construction, and that no "pressures" were placed on him by fundraisers while he was in Cambridge two weeks ago for the building's inauguration.

Peterson said that Canaday was "very generous to give as much as he did," and said that it would be "rude" for him to have asked Canaday to bequeath any more for unexpected costs of the hall.

"A man gives money out of a sense of gratitude and generosity, not because he's being badgered for it," he said.