The State Commander of the American Veterans' Committee yesterday denounced the recent University announcement of increased tuition.

Thomas F. Kelley charged, "If Harvard would put more stock in brains instead of in the amount of dollars and cents a person can bring to college, it would be better all around."

"Not Hard Up"

Kelley continued, "They're not so hard up that they need to charge an extra $200 and possibly keep out someone who may have the potentiality to make a great contribution to society."

"It certainly hurts us to see someone who has the ability kept out simply because he doesn't have the financial resources," he added.

Pleading for what he termed "an open door policy," Kelley said. "Education is too important to draw any line simply on the financial backing of any student. It leaves Harvard, with all its tax-free property, wide open to criticism.

"I fail to see where such institutions of learning would be confronted with crises, especially in view of the millions that are bequeathed by faithful alumni. One wouldn't object if that particular institution were hard pressed for finances, but this is definitely not the case," he added.

"We want to step a general trend from starting. We urge Harvard to reconsider and to withdraw its proposed tuition fee raises. Its reputation for fairness and equality is at stake." Kelley concluded.