Dr. Hooks also said he believed that Judge Thomas was receiving special consideration from fellow blacks.

Dr. Hooks said he was prepared to stay on until the new executive director began work.

Dr. Hook was for six decades a vigorous participant in many of the principal intellectual and political debates of this century.

For Dr. Hook, even freedom had to be subjected to reason and experience, and not taken as an absolute.

While teaching at the university, Dr. Hook wrote hundreds of books and articles.

Both Dr. Hooks and the auditors agreed that the task was made more difficult because of bookkeeping problems.

"I had to divorce myself from everything else," Dr. Hooks said.

Dr. Hooks has vigorously denied that assertion, calling it an "out-and-out lie."

Asked if he was satisfied, Dr. Hooks said, "The glass is only half full."