Police Talks Resume, Show Little Progress

Negotiations between the University and the Harvard Patrolmen's Association continued Friday without any clear indications of progress toward settlement of the policemen's five-month-old contract dispute.

Laurence F. Letteri, president of the Patrolmen's Association, said yesterday the most recent round of talks produced "no real progress," adding that Harvard's negotiators have not made any offers the union finds acceptable.

Sour Taste

"We left Friday with a real sour taste in our mouths," Letteri said.

He added that the union does not know when the talks, which have faltered continually since the policemen's current contract expired last January, will resume.

Edward W. Powers, associate general counsel for employee relations, said yesterday he feels Friday's negotiations yielded progress on several broad issues.

Powers said both sides discussed a number of topics, including such "non-economic issues" as the union's contention that recent organizational changes in the police force have damaged the morale of the officers.

"We've spent a good deal of time on the non-economic questions, and we should soon be getting down to the economic issues," such as salary and benefits, he added.

Optimistic

Although Powers would not predict a date for final settlement of the police contract, he said he is "optimistic" that both sides can reach an agreement before the extension of the current contract expires July 15.

Henry Wise '18, attorney for the Patrolmen's Association, said yesterday he does not agree with Power's assessment of the talks.

"I'm glad he's an optimist," Wise said, but added that he is "quite bewildered" by what he thinks are the University's efforts to prolong the talks.