Two Candidates Suggest Student Vote on Council

Two of the ten candidates for the Student Council favor a student referendum to decide whether or not the Council should continue to exist. John S. Gracey '59 and D. Dwight Dogherty '59 both feel that the Council should not exist in its present form.

Gracey stated that "there is only one issue in this election--whether the Student Council remains an effective voice of the Harvard student body." He said flatly that if there were an alternative between accepting the Council in its present status or abolishing it, he would prefer the latter.

Dogherty backed up his demand for a referendum by asserting that "the Student Council is just a puppet of the Administration." Specifically, he opposed its "strong-arm methods" of collecting contributions and its participation in the National Student Association.

Oppose Referendum

Other candidates voiced their opposition to a referendum abolishing the Student Council. Marc E. Leland '59, treasurer of the Council, stated that "the Council is now at the lowest point it has ever been." However, he did not approve of a referendum following the election.

George P. Leyland '59 announced that "the Council has a responsibility to the Administration" and said that he does not approve of its abolition.

Ronald L. Nuttall '59 asserted that abolishing the Council would be "cutting off our nose to spite our face." He opposed a referendum on the grounds that "the Council would probably lose" because "the students are ignorant of the Council's functions."

"I feel that the Council is very worthwhile," candidate Stephan M. Goldfeld '60 said, "but I want to find out its relation to everybody" before considering a student referendum. He stated that "if the Council were abolished it would be because it does nothing or very little."