Draper Staff Opposes Nuclear Free Referendum

Carrying signs like, "The Kremlin wants Draper Labs shut down." Charles Stark Draper Laboratories employees packed Thursday night's forum of the Nuclear Free Cambridge referendum.

The event was the last of the Cambridge Peace Commission's four community debates on issues involved in the hotly contested campaign.

The forums, which have been held in different parts of the city once a week for the past month, allow representatives of pro and con groups to speak on the referendum and allow citizens to ask them questions. The most recent forum included panelists from the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, the Committee Against Research Bans (CARB), the Bay State Center for Economic Conversion. Mobilization for Survival, and the council for a Nuclear Weapons Freeze.

No Nukes

The referendum would prohibit the production or research of nuclear weapons within the city limits. Exceptions include basic research the primary purpose of which is not nuclear weapons production.

Draper Labs, a major defense contractor, has said it will be forced to close it the measure becomes law. It would take effect on October 1, 1985.

Out of Order

In an effort to improve Thursday's presentation, Cloeman established "ground rules," including the discouragement of applause and heckling from the audience.

But proponents and opponents of the referendum ignored the rules. The tense gathering frequently erupted into mass booing and shouting matches between individuals on both sides. At one point, some Draper employees began singing "American the Beautiful."

Representatives of Mobilization for Survival, the group sponsoring the anti-nuclear referendum, said the last forum way typical of all of them. They added that they almost chose pot to attend this one.

Susan Levine, a long-time referendum proponent, said after the event that "the opinions expressed tonight are not representative of the general Cambridge population, as far as red-baiting and anti-Soviet sentiment."

She added that more Nuclear Free Cambridge supporters would have attended had not other political events, including a speech by Boston mayoral finalist Melvin H. King and a rally against the U.S invasion of Grenada drawn them away.

CARB employees commented favorably on the commission's forums, "I think they 're indicative of a very healthy campaign," said Richard Claussen.

Another CARB representative, Hal Scott, criticized the referendum during his speech for being too broad. "[The referendum's ban on] evaluation could [prevent] free discussions of nuclear weapons and disarmament."

Scot also praised President Bok's statement earlier this week opposing the legislation.

Referendum supporter Ursula Stringer countered with "We're not about shackling minds, or throwing out business, or laying off people."

The North Cambridge event was characterized by rhetoric and avoidance of the issues of the campaign. Few panelists answered the question of the audience, and fewer responded to their opponents arguments.

The issue comes before Cambridge voters November 8, and the ferocious campaigning is expected to continue until then