French Trial Put Off for Possible U.S. Court Order

Edward A. French '54, who will go to trial as a draft dodger under the Selective Service Act, has just received word that the U.S. Attorney in his home state of Oregon has stated that a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, which permits him to be tried in Massachusetts, is unconstitutional. He will surrender French's files only on a writ of mandamus from the Supreme Court.

Unless he can secure this writ, which will cost about $1,000, French said he must be sentenced in Oregon. Although he must plead guilty, French thinks he will got a shorter and pleasanter sentence here, where two "liberally enlightened" Massachusetts judges have previously favored draft dodgers.

The Massachusetts trial would also mean a sentence in the nearest federal peitentiary, which is in Danbury, Conn., where French thinks he would be allowed to continue his studies. In any event, French said, he will be allowed to finish the term before his trial.