YD's Knock Johnson, Katzenbach, Protest 'Efforts to Silence Views'

The Executive Committee of the Harvard-Radcliffe Young Democrats last night deplored the attempts of President Johnson and Attorney General Nicholas deB. Katzenbach "to answer criticism with smear."

The Young Dems' resolution condemned "any efforts to silence unpopular views or demonstrations through threat, intimidation... or cries of treason."

Peter H. Weiner '66, president of the Young Dems, said last night that the resolution was primarily provoked by the Attorney General's recent statements. "These," he claimed, "are reminiscent of the last Senator McCarthy."

The Harvard Young Republicans were also censured for their efforts to intimidate campus groups. "We reaffirm the right of all... to hold and express opinions of any nature whatsoever on American foreign policy," the resolution said.

But the Young Dems' statement deplored "meaningless and thoughtless protests... which often violate the law solely for the purpose of violation of the law."

Weiner confirmed that the condemnation of meaningless protests applies directly to draft card burnings. "Many of those who protest," he said, "seem to have no alternatives in mind or no mind for alternatives."

"However, there is nothing so much in the interest of the country as free debate."

Weiner attacked the statement by the Young Republicans last week which asked for a university investigation of the finances of the May Second Movement and Students for a Democratic Society. "SDS and M2M have just as much local autonomy as the Young Democrats and Young Republicans," he added.

The Young Dems Statement will be distributed to students this week, and copies of it will be mailed to the Attorney General and various newspapers.