Shea Says He Is Not a Spy, Quits League

Quinian J. Shea '56, self-designated founder of the Harvard Conservative League, last night abandoned the organization.

Shea charged that at least one of the other organizers of the League had "acted in bad faith," and meant to use the organization to ferret out Communists.

"I have heard that at least one of the others is actually in favor of such nefarlons activities as spying on fellow Harvard men," he stated. "The idea of spying is basically repugnant to me."

Shea is a close friend and admitted "scout" of Kenneth D. Robertson, Jr. '29.

He attacked "at least one" of the four undergraduates who signed Monday's statement disavewing all intentions to carry on "scouting" activities. On the basis of this statement C. Crane Brinton '19, professor of History, had agreed to sponsor the League.

"Shea is the Spy"

The four last night, led by Jack D. Watson '56 and Robert W. DuBose '56, asserted "the point is Shea is the spy." They said they had only joined in issuing attacks on the University for harboring Communists "in order to make Shea look ridiculous.

"We were only out to screw Shea all the time," DuBose explained last night.

Watson, DuBose and David B. Cole '56 had been among those who backed Shea and issued a strong statement advocating the use of spy tactics last weekend.

"By Monday we thought we had really fixed Shea," DuBose continued, "but then we decided he was sincere and decided to take him in with us, as he had written the League's constitution."

Watson said the remainder of the group without Shea was still interested in forming a Conservative League. "Everything we tell you is the truth," he asserted.

Shea, last night said he would urge all "true Conservatives who contemplate joining the League to reconsider their position. Such persons will feel as I do and deplore the use of the name by the radicals of the far right."