(We invite all men in the University to submit communications on subjects of timely interest, but assume no responsibility for sentiments expressed under this head.)

To the Editors of the CRIMSON:

At this time when our country has decided to devote itself to the Allies' cause, and to make any sacrifice necessary to the furtherance of this cause, we very properly hear much and see much in the CRIMSON of our national duty. Yet there is one aspect of our duty as patriotic citizens on which Harvard has taken no stand. That is the duty of every man to promote efficiency of output and conservation of food.

How many of us realize that over 20,000,000 bushels of corn (average for 1911-15) go yearly into distilled spirits alone--enough (at 3,400 calories a day, a man's ration) to support 1,000,000 of our soldiers for 17 months? How many realize that the rye that went into distilled spirits in 1916 would make over 200,000,000 loaves of bread, enough to supply the city of New York for 100 days, or that our 44,000 acres of hops (hops have practically no nutritive value) if planted with oats and potatoes, would support 250,000 men for a year?

Scientific investigation has produced endless information showing how brewing and distilling saps our national output. But to sum up, 6,000,000,000 pounds of foodstuffs go yearly into beer and distilled liquors--enough to support 7,000,000 hard-working men for an entire year. And I have not mentioned the influence of liquor on the efficiency of the individual.

In military training Harvard has maintained a lead over other colleges of which we are justly proud. But concerning the movement for conservation of food and national efficiency we have heard nothing. It is high time the CRIMSON and Harvard College took a stand on national prohibition as a war measure. CHARLES PARKER REYNOLDS '18.