Lippincott Says Decision Must Not Be 'Hasty'

Princeton officials seemed reluctant this morning to recommend immediate action against the three Tiger football players accused of assaulting town youth Larry Shelvey on Thursday night.

Dean William D'O. Lippincott said early today, "There are several aspects of this case that bother me, but still I can hardly believe that any of our Princeton undergraduates would be implicated in such an act of violence. Certainly my office will give the matter the promptest attention, but of course things must go through channels. We must not be hasty."

President Goheen termed the incident "unfortunate. especially considering town-gown relations." He added that "you may be sure that the Princeton Dean's Office will decide the case without being swayed by considerations of college prejudice."

"A Shocking Affair"

Yale Dean of Students William C. DeVane could not be reached for comment, but Associate Dean Richard C. Carroll stated, "This is a shockng affair. I trust that our colleagues in the Princeton administration will see that justice is done."

Princeton head football coach Richard W. Colman voiced incredulity at Shelvey's accusation of three Tiger players. "I'm sure none of the men on my team would do such a thing," he said. "We don't teach brutality on our football field."

Colman would not comment on the Tiger team's chances this afternoon if the three players are arrested or declared ineligible.

Chief Quite Upset

Princeton police chief John H. Smith appeared quite upset over the beating this morning and eager to take strong action. He felt, however, that Shelvey's tenuous identification "isn't definite enough for us to go out and arrest those guys right away. We certainly want to question them, but whether we'll do t before or after the game I just don't know. We'll have them in here as soon as we feel justified in doing so."

Chief Smith also reported that he had received the Princeton administration's assurance of "full co-operation" in the matter.