SET THE COOP STRAIGHT

To the Editors of the CRIMSON:

The horrendous possibility that THE HARVARD CRIMSON story of October 27 might be believed compels me to try to set the record straighter. In this story Mr. Morrill, General Manager of the Coop, blames me for the $400,000 increased costs of the new Coop annex.

It is true that the improvements to Palmer Street now being made are part of an agreement ending further legal action by the Church Street Trust, of which I am one of three trustees. That such improvements will cost the Coop approximately $50,000 is not disputed.

There remains $350,000 of increased costs to be accounted for. It does not appear that any of this amount could have been used in actual construction since the final building is smaller than originally planned and no change was made to any portion of the bookstore already built. Is it possible that $350,000 could have been spent on legal fees for defending the Coop's building plans and architectural fees for making the changes which were necessary?

Mr. Morrill has said that the Coop has always relied on the best architectural and legal advice. But it is a matter of record that the plans drawn as a result of this advice were found wanting by the Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeal, the Cambridge Planning Board, the Massachusetts Legislature, the Governor of Massachusetts, and Judge Traveira of the Superior Court of Massachusetts. It would seem logical that Mr. Morrill look to his architect and lawyer rather than a Church Street Trustee for blame and redress. Sheldon Dietz   Trustee, Church Street Trust