University of Virginia Library

Outbursts At Legal Forum
Draw Sponsors' Criticism

Hedders at last week's appearance
here by Deputy Attorney General
Richard Kleindienst have drawn severe
criticism from the Student Legal Forum,
the group which sponsored the speech.

An open letter to the University community
records the "abhorrence which the Legal
Forum els for the irrational and immature
conduct of a small number of the overflow
crowd" which attended Mr. Kleindienst's
speech.

The letter, signed by the president of the
Forum, Michael H. Cardozo, says "when the
leaders of the Student Legal Forum became
aware that disruptive devices might be used
during Mr. Kleindienst's speech, we requested
and received from the University, through the
Office of Student Affairs, broad decision
making authority for dealing with any disturbances.

"In effect, the Forum was permitted to decide not only what constituted a provocative
o serious situation, but also to determine what
remedial action should be taken."

This, says Mr. Cardozo, "reflected an
enlightened and progressive approach by the
University. Ground rules were developed, and
because of the hostile attitude displayed by
some of those in attendance," were read prior
to the speech.

The rules, says Mr. Cardozo, were "deliberately
and childishly violated by certain
members of the audience. Such conduct is
clearly incompatible with the atmosphere of
free exchange of ideas that must exist in order
for the University to remain, and to become, a
viable force in our society."

The letter says that such "McCarthy-era
tactics" can prevent the Legal Forum from
attracting speakers of differing views in the
future, and may in time "stifle the very dissent
which they are supposed to exemplify."

Mr. Cardozo's letter states that the Legal
Forum has decided not to initiate disciplinary
action against the hecklers, but warns that such
actions in the future may draw more than
censure.