YR's Disrupt SDS Elections, Attempt to Seize Co-Chairmanship

A general membership meeting of Students for a Democratic Society was interrupted Friday night by the unsuccessful efforts of a group of Young Republicans to elect one of their number to an SDS co-chairmanship.

The YR's, whose numbers were estimated between 30 and 50, had gathered to support one of their number, Paul Wagler '70, for co-chairman, but some of them punctuated the meeting with laughter, hissing and spurious nominations. SDS officers said a total of approximately 200 persons attended the meeting.

One of the YR's nominated Theresa, the Hazen's waitress, for co-chairman, while another claimed he was affiliated with SDS through his membership in a "sister organization" -- Massachusetts Friends of Rhodesia.

All the YR candidates but Wagler were disqualified, and three SDS members -- Ronald E. Yank 3L, John M. Mendelhoff '68 and Laurence E. Fogarty '68-2 -- were elected co-chairmen.

Catalyse a Dialogue

Wagler, operations director of the Young Republicans Club and James W. Vaupel '67, former president of the organization, said they arranged the attempt in order to start a dialogue between SDS and the YR's, but they added that there was no official connection between their effort and the Club.

Wagler said the "serious" Republican group at the meeting was distinct from the faction responsible for the interruptions. "They were making a mockery of the meeting," he said.

"I was a serious candidate," he said. "If I was elected, I would have served."

Michael L. Spiegel '68, former co-chairman and presiding officer at the meeting, permitted Wagler's nomination after a procedural motion gave Spiegel the power to judge the candidates' credentials. Wagler had attended several previous meetings.

The YR's were also barred from voting in the election on the grounds that only active SDS members should participate.

One of the YR's present, Richard S. Bowers Jr. '68, said the group had attended the meeting `in the spirit of constructive satire." He denied that their actions had been disruptive. Several other YR's however, identified the unruly faction as the same persons who had disturbed previous Young Republican election meetings.

Surprise Attack

Spiegel said SDS officers were unaware that the YR attempt was planned. "The whole concept seems to me foreign to any kind of responsible political action," he said.

Jay B. Stephens '68, president of the Young Republican Club, said the action was taken by individuals who had "no official sanction whatsoever" from the organization.