Smoker Committee Gives Up Plans for CBS, Life Publicity

University rulings have forced the 1952 Smoker Committee to cancel plans for nationwide coverage of the Freshman Smoker through the Columbia Broadcasting System and Life Magazine, Chairman Edmond J. Gong '52 said last night.

Originally CBS had offered to broadcast Smoker entertainment over a coast-to-coast network. This would have provided the necessary publicity which entertainers tentatively scheduled for the Smoker program demanded.

Associate Dean Robert B. Watson '37, however, informed the group that University officials do not want the Harvard name to be used in connection with sponsored programs and students should not be connected with similar ventures. Watson said that only the Corporation could make a final decision.

The committee decided that the process would take too much time and let the matter drop.

Coverage in Life Barred

Later, William M. Pinkerton, Director of the University News Office, refused to allow Life Magazine to photograph the Smoker. His reason was that such an article might bring the University unfavorable publicity.

Last week the group tried to persuade comedian Bob Hope and singer Doris Day to entertain the freshmen. Both regretfully turned down the invitations, saying that they had "always wanted to come to Harvard, but crowded schedules prevented it."