Election Board Says Medical Student Registered Illegally

An out-of-state Harvard Medical student has been accused of attempting to register illegally in the November 6 election. John J. Sawtelle, Chairman of the All Boston Committee, charged that the rival New Boston Committee had informed the student, whose permanent residence in Philadelphia, that he was eligible to register and vote.

The N.B.C. organized 18 months ago, attacked the accusation as a "vicious and malicious falsehood," and denounced the "smear" campaign which the A.B.C. has been conducting.

When the student was brought to the Election Commission, it was discovered that his home is in Philadelphia, that he holds a Pennsylvania driving license, and that his car is registered in that state.

The Commission cited a ruling which requires a person to be a resident of Massachusetts for one year, and of Boston for six months, before he is eligible to vote. When the student insisted on his right to vote, the City Law Department claimed that a dormitory is not a legal residence, and that an out-of-stater cannot vote here.

The student admitted that most of the 350 men in his Back Bay dormitory expected to register for the election.

The A.B.C. charged the N.B.C. with instigating other college dormitory students to illegally register, "in a scheme to defraud" the coming election.

As a result of the controversy, the Election Commission will conduct an investigation to determine whether non-resident students "have been able to infiltrate Boston voting lists."