Dean Bender and Mr. Mullins

To the Editors of the CRIMSON:

I should like, without committing myself on the Cherrington-Mullins controversy, to express my opinion on an incident connected with that case. I am referring to the remarks made by Dean Bender in his History 61b lecture of this past Tuesday.

The subject matter of Dean Bender's comments was answered by Mr. Mullins in his column in Wednesday's Boston "Herald." I feel this was unfortunate since Mr. Bender made a point that his comments were not for publication. I do feel that it was unfortunate and out of place for the Dean of the College to choose his classroom to express strong personal opinions such as those he expressed Tuesday. Whether or not students hear their professors' words as Gospel, as Mr. Mullins claimed, it seems true to me that remarks by the Dean are regarded as opinions of the College administration and that students do have a respect for such opinions.

I must confess to ignorance on the policy of the University toward expression of opinions by professors in their lectures. I am opposed to any censorship or restriction of lecture material; expression of opinions through the usual channels of the press, however, would seem preferable, and any comments of this type in lecture should certainly be made subject to public answer. Frederick R. Coburn '51