Drive Chairman Says Low Total Caused by End of 'Arm-Twisting'

David A. Murdoch '64, chairman of the Combined Charities Drive, said last night that the Drive collected less than last year because it "abandoned a policy of moral exhortation and arm-twisting."

After receipt of mall contributions, this year's Combined Charities Fund is expected to reach $29,000. Last year's Fund totalled $31,000

Murdoch explained that for the first time this year the Charities Drive had no official goal and specified no amount as the "suggested" contribution for each student. Last year the suggested contribution was $10. Intenhouse competition, long a strong incentive for contributions, was also abandoned.

"There is a need to respect a student's right to do what he wants, keeping the Drive on a voluntary level," Murdoch said.

An article in last week's Leverett House News stressed the fact that problems had arisen in that House because of "undue pressure" in last year's campaign. Murdoch said he had worked to correct this problem.

Murdoch applauded the Yard as the most successful unit in this year's Drive. Total contributions there reached $6,030, topping last year's figure by $500. Leverett was highest among the Houses with $2,639. At Radcliffe North House was high with $1,517.

Because allocations were cleared through the HCUA in advance, most of the money will be distributed to the charities before Christmas. Last year receipts were not distributed until spring.

Another improvement, Murdoch noted, was the reduction of campaign costs from three to one per cent of collections, made possible by contributions of Harvard organizations and Cambridge businessmen.