Lashman Supports Sen. Brooke Despite Financial Controversy

Despite new controversy surrounding Sen. Edward W. Brooke (R-Mass.), Harvard's director of external projects, L. Edward Lashman, remains behind him all the way.

The Brooke Re-election Committee this week chose Lashman as co-chairman of the newly formed Democrats for Brooke Committee.

Controversy once more surrounded Brooke yesterday when House of Representatives Special Investigator Richard T. Wertheimer claimed in his resignation statement that Brooke's representatives tried to "delay and frustrate" the probe of his financial affairs.

None of this perturbed Lashman, though.

"I really don't know why Mr. Wertheimer has resigned. The senator has provided every document he has been asked for to the best of my knowledge," Lashman said yesterday.

Lashman and State Rep. Barney Frank initiated and will co-chair the Democrats for Brooke Committee, which includes members of the "women's movement, people in education and civil rights folks," Lashman said.

Lashman said one reason he supports Brooke is that "there are 20 million black Americans in this country, and they have only one representative in the Senate, and I don't want to be the one to disenfranchise 20 million Americans."

"Anyone who calls himself a liberal and has been concerned with the civil rights movement in this country--to vote against Ed Brooke is inconsonant with his positions," he added.

Lashman reacted to Rep. Paul Tsongas's (D-Mass.) charge Thursday that Brooke's Democratic Party support consists of only four state officeholders, saying "I don't pay attention to any of Representative Tsongas's charges, I want to elect Senator Brooke."

No Clout

Lashman did not have any complaints against Tsongas. "It is not a question of criticism, but a question of priorities. If you have a man already, why trade him in for a guy with no clout," he said yesterday.

The Brooke re-election committee chose Lashman to co-chair a committee because of his dual experience in housing and education, Leon Charkoudian '58, campaign manager, said yesterday.