Debate Team Takes U.S. Championship

The Harvard debate team won the annual tournament last week for the first time since 1961.

Debating the topic that executive control of U.S. foreign policy should be significantly curtailed, the team won ten matches and lost two.

Joel S. Perwin '70 placed second in the contest for best speaker, 607-603; his teammate, Richard P. Lewis '72, was fourth. Arguing the affirmative side in the final round, the pair defeated the University of Houston, 5-2. Houston was the pre-tournament favorite.

Special Coaching

The pair received special coaching for the tournament from Laurence H. Tribe '60, assistant professor of Law on leave in Washington, who was on the winning 1961 team. The Debate Council's regular coach is James G. Turner '65.

Forty-four schools took part in the tournament, which was held this year at Northern Illinois University.