Monro Speaks to SDS Members; Dinner Date Set for Next Week

Dean Monro and members of Students for a Democratic Society will eat supper together next week and attempt to smooth out differences over the demonstration against Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara.

Plans for the informal dinner session were worked out when Monro appeared at an SDS general membership meeting Tuesday evening. It was the first SDS meeting for Monro and one of the few times he has attended gatherings of undergraduate organizations.

Monro spoke for about five minutes to the 70 people at the meeting and reiterated his position against last Monday's demonstration. "This is new to me -- that is, the assumption by this organization to take physical charge of a man because you disagree with his politics."

Open Door Policy

Speaking slowly and softly, Monro said that he was willing to discuss his position with members of SDS anytime. "I and my office are always willing to talk about these things. The links of communication are not closed," he declared.

Twenty-two people at the meeting signed up for the dinner with Monro, which will be held next Sunday or Tuesday in the Eliot House small dining room.

Monro's presence caused some disagreement among SDS members. The split was not over whether Monro could come--no one disputed that--but over what should be said to him.

Peter Orris '67 had been laughed at and hissed when he warned Monro that he should not try to divide SDS members once the organization had made a decision about a protest or demonstration.

After Monro had left. Harold B. Benenson '67, an SDS member who had seen Dean Monro privately last week, said "I'm really distressed that people laughed and hissed . . . It looks like we just told Dean Monro that we aren't going to stick together when it comes times to push and shove."

Benenson said that he and three other SDS leaders had told Monro just the opposite and that unity was needed to make demonstrations like last week's successful.

In reviewing last week's events, most members at the meeting agreed that the McNamara demonstration had been a good thing."

At the meeting, SDS also:

* ratified a decision of the executive committee challenging the Secretary of Defense to a new debate;

* elected new co-chairmen for the year; they are, David O. Loud '68, Michael L. Spiegel '68, and Michael Traugot '67.

* asked that members pledge $.50 a week to help sustain the organization's sagging finances.