Cancellation of Debate Involved Race Question

A University official admitted yesterday that "the racial question" was "part of the reason" that the Harvard Club of Dallas, Texas, opposed a debate between the Harvard Debate Council and Bishops College, a small Negro school in Dallas.

Howard F. Gillette '35, general secretary of alumni, said that he had spoken to a past officer of the Dallas club and that "having taken the temperature of the situation we didn't think they'd better go through with it."

Members of the Dallas club reportedly felt that a debate between Harvard and a Negro college would cause considerable embarrassment for alumni in Dallas, and would weaken the University's standing in the local community.

This feeling was conveyed to Gillette, who explained to members of the Debate Council that, "all things being equal, it didn't make sense" to schedule the debate with Bishops. Members of the Council said last night that Gillette had not mentioned the racial issue directly when he advised them to turn down the request from the Negro school.

"You know how conservative the Dallas alumni are," Gillette was quoted as saying.

Harvard has come under heavy attack in the South and Southwest for its liberalism and alleged leftist leanings, and alumni in Dallas and Houston are reportedly very sensitive about exposing the University's name to further criticism.

Members of the Dallas club apparently felt that a debate between Harvard and Bishops could serve no constructive purpose, except to increase already-existing hostility to the University.

Both Gillette and Alfred Lurie '43, president of the Harvard Club of Dallas, denied that there was any prejudice involved on the part of the Dallas alumni.

Gillette indicated he was sympathetic to the problems facing the Dallas club, and stated, "I think the alumni are entitled to their opinion."

On Friday, Gillette told the CRIMSON that the Dallas club had asked the Debate Council to turn down the invitation from Bishops because "it is a small school and just not in the same league" with Southern Methodist University and the University of Dallas, the two schools which council members will debate when they go to Dallas on April 1 as guests of the Harvard Club.

Gillette stressed that the Debate Council had come to him "of their own volition" three weeks ago, after receiving the invitation from Bishops. Officers of the Council said last night, however, that it was a regular practice for them to check invitations with Gillette when they were being hosted by local Harvard clubs.

Robert H. Donaldson '64, president of the Debate Council, said early this morning that the Council will reconsider the invitation from Bishops, and will contact the Harvard Club of Dallas for permission to conduct the debate. Dean Watson recommended to Donaldson last night that the Council cancel its entire trip to Dallas, if the club has any objections.