Vellucci Uncovers Mystery Prison; Ed School May Buy Crocodiles

The first Ivy League prison complete with a crocodile-infested moat may be constructed this summer in the guise of Harvard's Education School Castle, Cambridge City Councilor Alfred E. Vellucci revealed yesterday.

"I have information that the castle may really be a prison," Vellucci stated. He pointed to the moat which will surround the seven-story, window-scarce monolith, as evidence of secret designs by the Education School. "They may have crocodiles swimming around in there," Vellucci declared.

Until Vellucci verifies these suspicions, however, he will continue to support the castle on aesthetic grounds despite mounting opposition from other city councilors.

"It is the ugliest building I ever did see," Vellucci declared. "It's even uglier than the Lampoon so I'm in favor of it. I'm in favor for any building that's that ugly," he explained.

According to Vellucci his aesthetic attraction to the castle may be Harvard's only protection against City Council action which could result in a veto of the building plans. This Monday the Council will consider establishment of a local Historical Areas Commission which could control new architecture in designated areas.

As formulated in committee, the Historic Area Commission would not be responsible for the east side of Appian Way on which the castle is to be constructed. However, Vellucci claimed that a motion will be introduced at Monday's Council meeting to change the historic area lines to include the castle land.

If the castle site is designated part of the historic area, the Historic Area Commission could exercise a veto over the castle plans. Harvard's zoning permit for the castle could then conceivably be revoked.

Councilor Daniel J. Hayes, who strongly opposes the castle on aesthetic grounds, was not optimistic about the possibility of halting construction.

Opposition to the castle has been voiced by most of the city councilors. Even Mayor Edward A. Crane '35 stated Monday, "I think Harvard has gone a little too far this time." Councilors Hayes and Walter Sullivan recalled Harvard's opposition to the building on stilts which Cambridge developer John Briston Sullivan tried to erect over the small Cambridge Common, only one block from the castle site.

Vellucci's position on the castle remains dependent on the outcome of his investigation of secret prison plans. He also mentioned that if Appian St. was indeed named after the Via Appia in Rome he might propose that Harvard build a coliseum instead of a castle."