Handlin's Remarks In T.V. Editorial Provoke Debate

Opponents of Harvard's Medical Area power plant yesterday alleged a possible conflict of interest in a February 23 WCVB-TV editorial written and delivered by a Harvard professor.

Oscar Handlin, Pforzheimer University Professor and author of the editorial, is also chairman of the 11-member editorial board and part owner of WCVB-TV.

In the editorial, Handlin said the decision of a state environmental agency blocking the construction of diesel electric generators in the power plant because of potentially dangerous emissions of nitrous dioxide "indicates a real unfairness in the way government regulates such projects."

"Everyone seems to think the total energy plant is a good idea," the editorial added.

State Rep. James W. Segal '67, who will rebut Handlin's editorial on WCVB-TV (channel 5) this week, said yesterday he felt there was a possible conflict of interest between Handlin's loyalty to his employer and his writing and reading the TV editorial.

Handlin said yesterday there are other members of the WCVB-TV editorial board affiliated with the University. Employees of the station yesterday refused to comment on Handlin's editorial or give the names of the members of the editorial board.

"If the Harvard-employed members of the T.V. station were important in making its editorial policy, this should be disclosed to the viewers," Segal said.

Handlin's affiliation with the University was not mentioned in the editorial.

Handlin yesterday denied a conflict of interest in his editorial position. "I have no stake in the plant. The fact that I'm at Harvard doesn't mean I have a vested interest in the plant," he added