OUT, OUT, DAMNED LIE!

A "brief investigation" is the base of an open charge by two undergraduates that last spring $2700 was raised under the false pretense of sending an ambulance to the territory of the Spanish Government. Obtaining money under false pretenses is a criminal act punishable by imprisonment, and the authors of such a written accusation must prove their case or be prepared to defend themselves against a suit for criminal libel.

The "brief investigation" revealed that the medical supplies were in New York on August 7, and Mr. Hart and Mr. Curtiss strongly imply that the equipment is still in New York. Any serious attempt to discover the truth would have revealed that the supplies were shipped within a week after, and that it was impossible to ship them earlier. Under what "false pretenses" was the money collected" Mr. Hart and Mr. Curtiss apparently base their charge that the solicitors deliberately deceived the students on the grounds that the supplies were used "to aid Moscow in Harlem." It is needless to point out that logically there is no connection between the use of the money and the intentions of the collectors three months before. Where the libelous letter dissolves into sound and fury is that the equipment was not used "to aid Moscow," but as part of a parade against War and Fascism. There are more than several people in the United States who are against War and Fascism and who are not Communists.

Certainly it is to be regretted that after the controversy over the ambulance last spring the persons handling the $2700 were not more careful about the use to which the supplies were put, no matter how sincere and correct their intentions. Students of all political beliefs gave generously their money and time to what was described as a non-partisan, humanitarian mission. A mistake was made, although a small one, in allowing the ambulance in a demonstration which was at least open to misinterpretation.

Messers. Hart and Curtiss would do well to retain a lawyer if they intend to spend their days making criminal accusations after carefully misreading the morning paper. Statements of this sort whether verbal or written, do great harm to accused and in their impact bring shame to the University and in their disapproval, ridicule.