Ramsey Says Harvard Free Of 'Red Mess'

Speaking before the television panel, "Meet the Press,' on Dec. 20, Norman Ramsey, professor of Physics, stated that he strongly believes there are no communists on the University faculty.

In defending the University against Senator McCarthy's attack made last November that Harvard is "a smelly mess" and "a sanctuary for Communists," Ramsey said he was only speaking as an individual and not in behalf of the Corporation or University.

Answers Newsmen

Ramsey made his statements in reply to visiting newsmen on the "Meet the Press" panel. Included on the panel was Lawrence Spivak, regular program member, who has also proposed a future debate between Wendell H. Furry, professor of Physics, and McCarthy.

"There are many points at which the Harvard Corporation disagrees with Professor Furry, both on his past actions and his present decisions," Ramsey said.

"On the other hand, the Corporation is fully cognizant of its responsibility to preserve freedom and the right to make a choice. And true freedom gives a man not only the right to make a right choice but also the freedom to make a wrong choice."

Hiring and Firing

Ramsey added that even though the Corporation has refused to fire Professor Furry he does not think it would hire him now. "At a great university," he said, "there is a tremendous distinction between what the standards are for hiring and the standards for firing. A man may indeed hold opinions and perform actions which the university considers deplorable and wrong. It will, nevertheless, maintain him. Yet, in general, a university will only hire a man whom they think at the time will make the greatest contribution to the university and to the country."

Personally, Ramsey told the panel newsmen, he did not think Furry should have claimed immunity, and added that he had spent much time arguing this point with Furry.

He noted, however, that Furry had sworn before McCarthy's sub-committee that he had never engaged in espionage.