Council Expected To Back AFROTC Commission Fight

The Student Council tonight will probably take a strong stand behind the 35 Air Science seniors who expect to lose their promised commissions when they graduate in June.

The Council also will debate approval of a constitution for the Harvard Conservative Club, a group whose organizers two weeks ago confirmed and then disavowed intentions to serve as "scouts" spotting Communists at the University.

Organizers of the club on March 15 obtained the consent of C. Crane Brinton '19, professor of History, to serve as one of the group's faculty advisers. Since then, James R. Schlesinger, teaching fellow in Economics, has also agreed to sponsor the organization. The Conservatives have submitted to the Council the required list of at least ten club members.

If approved by the Council, the new club must then obtain the approval of Dean Watson and of the Faculty Committee on Extra-Curricular Activities.

George S. Abrams '54, representative of the AFROTC Cadets seeking aid in their campaign to win commissions from the Air Force, conferred during the weekend with Student Council member John W. Stokes '54. Stokes and other Council representatives drafted a resolution that will be presented to the meeting tonight.

Stokes said yesterday that "the Council is very strongly behind the ROTC students . . . and will do everything it can to help them regain their commissions."

Abrams also predicted that the AFROTC resolution would be approved. "Here's a case where the Council can serve a worthwhile function in the College," he said. "I don't think there's any reason why it should not give us full support."

The resolution is intended to "show the Air Force how it is hurting itself by withholding the commissions," Stokes said.