SASC Activists Go Downtown

Eight activists from the Southern Africa Solidarity Committee (SASC) yesterday visited companies in downtown Boston on an unsuccessful search for Robert G. Stone, Jr. '45, a member of Harvard's seven-man Corporation, which controls the University's investment policy.

The students, who said Stone has not answered their telephone calls or letters, visited the investment counseling firm of Scudder, Stevens and Clark, whose Board of Directors includes Stone, and the North American Management Corporation, which is partly owned by Stone's brother, David B. Stone '50.

SASC leaders said Stone's membership in the Corporation and his position on the board of the investment firm create a conflict of interest when the Harvard body considers divestment issues. Because Scudder, Stevens and Clark has investments in companies that do business with South Africa the students said Stone could not impartially decide whether Harvard should divest.

The Corporation formed a joint committee with members of the Board of Overseers earlier this month to evaluate Harvard's investment policies in South Africa.

Employees at the Landmark building on Federal Street, where Scudder, Stevens and Clark has one of its Boston offices, told the students they could not contact Robert Stone and suggested that the protesters write to him at his office in New York City. They said Stone does not deal directly with the company's Boston office because he is a director of its New York-based international division.

Security guards escorted the students from the building after they followed employees into a restricted area.

David Stone spoke with the students at his State Street office and said he would pass on their message to his brother.

"We think it is difficult for Robert Stone to make clear moral choices when he has other economic interests to consider," Noah M. Berger '89 told him. "He has a responsibiltiy to explain his interests."

David Stone said he doubted the message would generate any action but agreed to pass on the student delegation's views. He would not discuss the morality of Robert Stone's position with Berger, saying, "You wouldn't want to come between me and my brother, would you?"

"I think we laid the groundwork for further activity," said Jeanne Theoharis '91. "These people need to know that we feel strongly on the issue of divestment, and they need to know that we will be back."

Berger said SASC plans to hold similar demonstrations at the homes and offices of other members of the Corporation and the Board of Overseers until the joint committee issues its decision.