Harvard Young Republicans See Roster Catapult To 206

Fifty-six new members have joined the ranks of the Harvard Young Republicans in less than a week, bringing its total to a startling 206, by far the largest roster of any of the University's many political organizations.

University left-of-center groups are displaying a chary attitude concerning the skyrocketing membership list of their recently formed right-wing brother club.

"We believe that the HYRC is going to be an organization of much loud talk and little action," Frederic D. Houghteling '50, president of the Liberal Union, has said, "and we particularly welcome it since we feel that the reactionary bombast which forms its public statements will double the membership of the HLU."

Facts cannot be denied, however, and the HYRC is now by far the largest political group within the confines of the University. An even more amazing realization is that only five weeks have passed since the first of these men of Republican persuasion organized themselves under a common title.

The Harvard Liberal Union boasts a scant 85 members, although more men are now in the process of being converted. Harvard Youth for Democracy has a roster of 35.

Under the shadow of skepticism, the HYRC has not ceased to set up further targets. The next step: a Radcliffe branch, under the temporary direction of Arthur W. Bingham, III '51, assistant publicity director.

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In addition to a bi-weekly G.O.P. newsletter written by Robert Bracken 2L, the Young Republicans hope to sponsor a series of talks by Governor Bradford and a number of nationally known Republican leaders in its program next term.

"We have about 25 more men who are pledged to join, but who have not as yet paid their dues," says Loring M. Staples '50, publicity director, "and we are setting a goal, to be reached by Christmas vacation, of 240 active Republicans."

Members of the half-dozen leftist groups which have hitherto dominated University politics, did not seem, however, to share Staples' optimism for the success of the HYRC. When questioned, they rubbed their chins and mused skeptically. "We wonder just how many of these men will be active members and how many will be merely deadwood."

Liberals Skeptical

"I'll be willing to bet," says one HLU man, "that the HYRC won't have one half of its original membership by this time next year," while Robert A. Levine '50, also a Liberal Unionist, felt that the new rightist organization might provide the spark needed to fire some of the many dormant liberalists among the students. "There are plenty of liberals on the campus," said Levine, "but they're just too damned lazy to join an organization."

"My first reaction to the above statements," retaliates Robert F. Fuller '50, Young Republican, "is that these loud exclamations typify the Harvard radical; however, if they should act, instead of confining their emotions to vocalizations, I am sure they will find that the great majority of students will support the HYRC banner."