Joseph L. Hoffmann '78, another member who said he voted for neither side, said after the meeting, "The whole election process was a farce."

The practice of allowing new members to join the club at the door, immediately before the election, allowed candidates to "pack" the house with their friends, he said.

The controversy died down by the time Lodge arrived to address the meeting.

Declaring himself "a little bit of an optimist," the former ambassador and vice-presidential candidate called for an end to what he called a current mood of national cynicism, and a solution to large-scale unemployment, as means of insuring the future of the American government.

"Let's build a floor below which no man can sink, but no ceiling above which he cannot rise," he said.

Lodge also called for tax credits for employers who maintain a high level of employment, reform of the Presidential election system and ratification of the proposed Panama Canal treaty.

He also fielded a question about whether he believes the scandal surrounding former President Richard M. Nixon was caused by Nixon's subordinates, or by a flaw in the former president's character.

Tapping his cranium, Lodge replied, "I think there was something wrong up here.