Nixon Invited By Republicans To Give Talk

In what would be his first visit to a college since he resigned in 1974, former President Richard M. Nixon may speak at Harvard next spring at the invitation of the Harvard Republican Club.

"There's definitely a good change he's coming," Michael T. Kerr '81, the club's publicity director, said yesterday. Nixon and his appointments secretary, who are traveling in Europe, could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Controversy

The invitation, which was sent to Nixon last month, sparked controversy within the Republican Club and among some Massachusetts Republicans. Richard W. Berenson '80, a member of the club, resigned yesterday after news of the invitation was made public.

"I object to the invitation to someone associated with an image the Republican Party should not have," Berenson said yesterday. He also said in his resignation letter an invitation to Nixon could have "devastating consequences" for the Republican Party.

Kathleen Duey '79, president of the club, defended the decision to invite Nixon. "Of course he'll be controversial, but in order to be fair, we shouldn't consider the fact that he's unpopular in giving him a forum," she said yesterday.

"The current fashion is to despise Nixon, and we shouldn't give in to contemporary intolerance," she added.

Berenson expressed concern that people who are political independents could be disillusioned with the party because of actions, like the Republican Club's inviting Nixon, of campus organizations.

Duey said she contacted Gordon Nelson, Republican Party chairman in Massachusetts, earlier in the fall. He recommended waiting until after last month's elections to invite Nixon, she said.

"I think that at a place like Harvard people will want to hear different points of view," Nelson said yesterday. "I don't think they'll tar and feather him, but I don't think the Harvard reaction will be positive," he added.

Coming Out of the Closet

Nelson also predicted "a big sympathy move for Nixon, which seems to be starting now because he's coming out of the closet."

Polly Logan, a Republican National Committee representative from Massachusetts, was not so positive about the possible visit. "It's wonderful if he wants to travel abroad, but there are so many others to invite who would be far more relevant," she said yesterday.

"I don't object to his coming, but I'd prefer they look at current people rather than dig into the past," she added.