Henry H. Cutler, University Real Estate Manager, yesterday supported Hall's statement that Harvard did not own the building, but did have an option to buy it. He refused to give the details of the agreement.

"It's part of a very long and involved deal," Cutler said. "We at one time had a mortgage to the building. It is now owned by Bramont Trust."

When asked about the tenants' complaints, Cutler said, "I don't know anything about it. I know the tenants sent a copy of the letter (a list of grievances compiled by the tenants) to Harvard under the same misapprehension shared by a lot of people that Harvard controls the property, which we don't."

Yesterday Crocker said that R.M. Bradley & Co. was aware of the tenants' complaints, and that security measures were now being taken.

"We haven't finished what we've started yet," Crocker added. "Once we have finished the repairs will be adequate."

When asked about the alleged arrangement between Harvard and R.M. Bradley involving the Loeb, Crocker said, "It sounds like a pretty wild deal. It makes no sense to me."

Crocker refused to specify whether or not Harvard had any connection with the Mass Ave, property. "You'll have to ask them," he said. "I'm not going to give out any information about that."

Denial

Theodore L. Storer, former president of R.M. Bradley & Co., also denied yesterday that Harvard owned the building.

"I am one of the owners I'll admit it," Storer said. "I am one of the trustees of Bramont Trust--am chairman of the board--so I own it."

Storer also said that he was aware of the tenants' complaints, and added, "I think you'll find that everything they've asked for has been done, or is in the process of being done."

Once again, however, the tenants disagree.

"They put locks only on the windows on the fire escape on the Friday and the Monday following the incident," Peet said yesterday. "The police said that the locks they put on were unsatisfactory."

"They put bolt locks on the fire escape that don't work," Peet added. "If they're locked properly, you can't get out, and if they're unlocked, anyone can come in. Crocker said that he had never seen the kind of fire doors that can be locked from the outside and pushed open from the inside."

Near also said that the door locks on the apartment could be opened with a plastic credit card, and that the fire doors could be broken down despite the bolt locks.

"The hinges on the doors are the old fashioned pin kind," he said. "Last night I took a pair of vice grip pliers and pulled them right out."

"They (R.M. Bradley & Co.) are willing to talk about fixing the hinges so they can't be pulled," Near added. "I'm not sure what that means, but at least it's a gesture.