Harvard colleagues of Professor of Economics Martin S. Feldstein '62 last week said recent criticism of the chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors was politically motivated.

The professors said that Reagan Administration officials privately support Feldstein's public call for possible tax increases to offset soaring budget deficits.

But they added that White House officials want to dodge this issue because it may damage President Reagan's reelection chances.

"Any of these guys in private would say Marty's right," said Professor of Economics Lawrence H. Summers, who also worked for the council earlier this year. "There is no disagreement over substance."

"I don't know anybody in the economics field who would disagree with Feldstein's domestic policy," said James S. Duesenberry, Maier Professor of Money and Banking. "It's more a political matter."

Return to Harvard

Feldstein took the post as Reagan's top-ranking economics advisor in September 1982. He is expected to return to Harvard next fall, because a tenured professor may take only up to a two-year leave of absence.

But late last week it appeared as if Feldstein's Washington stay might end abruptly.

Feldstein reportedly received warnings from White House officials to withhold public criticism of Reagan's economic policies or resign.

This criticism reached a peak last Thursday, when presidential spokesman Larry Speakes openly ridiculed him at a press conference. When he discovered that Feldstein was at a lunch with other economic advisors, Speakes reportedly said, "He may not make it to dessert."

But Feldstein claims he is simply emphasizing parts of the President's budget message drawn up in January--aspects which the administration now wants to downplay.

Tax Increases

He has continued to discuss in particular a set of contingency tax increases, which would go into effect if proposed spending cuts did not reduce the $200-billion deficit by 1985.

"Marty feels that he is endorsing something that the President has asked Congress to adopt. I don't see anything unreasonable about that position," commented Summers.

"That tax increase is part of the President's program and has never been repudiated," said Feldstein's special assistant Geoffrey O. Carliner '65. "He [Feldstein] is surprised that they have misunderstood him. He does not disagree or criticize policy."