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Show Read Reacts To Editorial Dear Editor The articles (appearing in the Chronicle, Monday, (April 27), commenting upon the recent re-cent action of the Committee on Academic 'Freedom and Tenure in connection with the January art display in the Student Stu-dent Union Building, merits comment, and response. First let me say that, no doubt, the several members of the Committee are pleased that the Chronicle is pleased that the Committee found as it did. "But why was the report so late?" The answer to that question is very simple; namely, that the report was as late as it was because the Committee was in no hurry and for very good reasons. IN THE first place, the members mem-bers of the committee, no doubt, are puzzled by the obscure ob-scure notion of the writer of the article that while an earlier report might have done some good, this one, coming so late as it did, can be of Title benefit. bene-fit. What greater good could an earlier report have effected? THE COMMITTEE has no power to whip or to otherwise discipline either the Administration Admin-istration or the 'Regents. Nothing Noth-ing was in immediate jeopardy; nothing urgently called for rectification. rec-tification. To undo what had been done was impossible. From the beginning be-ginning of this particular controversy, con-troversy, it has always been the case that any good that-nay that-nay come from the Committee's Commit-tee's action must lie in the future, as that action influ-snces influ-snces subsequent events. ITS ACTION Will be of great significance if (1) adequate Drovision is made, in the near 'uture, for a place to display :he works of art (including the ;ontroversial works) produced y our faculty and students; md (2) if in the future there is an increased readiness on the part of those in administrative positions to recognize that in the area of the arts freedom is as important, and quite as appropriately to be defended, as it is in the other areas of academic endeavor. The second reason why the Committee was la no hurry is that it deliberately chose that its action should be deliberated. It had no intention either of participating in, or of contributing contrib-uting to an emotional binge. During the course of five or six long meetings the Committee Commit-tee heard witnesses and engaged en-gaged in deliberative discussions discus-sions aimed at the reconciliation reconcilia-tion of existing differences of opinion and at the achievement achieve-ment of something approaching approach-ing unanimity. 'It was not a simple task. Very sincerely yours, Waldemer P. Read, Chairman Committee on Academic 'Freedom and Tenure |