MacArthur Busy, Unable to Accept Honorary Degree

General Douglas MacArthur will not appear at Commencement this spring to pick up his honorary degree, it was learned yesterday. The degree was awarded in 1946, and since then the general has not been able to attend a graduation ceremony to receive the honor.

Colonel Laurence Bunker, one of MacArthur's aides, said yesterday that the general "was very pleased with the degree."

Nevertheless, Bunker continued, "the general has quite a number of honorary degrees waiting for him. Until the pressure on him from his appearances before state legislatures and national organizations lessens, he's making no plans to pick up these honorary degrees."

Expectations that the general would appear at the 1951 Commencement were shattered last May when Bunker announced that "previous engagements would prevent (him) from showing up."