In another column we publish an extract from a communication written to a New York daily by an alumnus of our college, in which the writer finds fault with the manner of awarding deturs and scholarships in vogue here at Harvard. Although Mr. Harlow states that he knows "wherof he speaks," he is evidently laboring under misapprehension on several points. In the first place, one half of the men in college do not compete for scholarships, as he states. Statistics show that only about one fifth of the men in each class apply for scholarships, and of these fully two-thirds obtain the aid they seek. In the second place, the writer states what is not true when he says very many of the scholarships are awarded to men who do not really need them. Before a man can receive pecuniary assistance from the college he must submit to an examination by the Dean and must sign papers in which he declares his need. Though a few men may enjoy scholarships who do not really need them, such cases are rare and do not warrant the complaint made in the article in question.

The writer further complains that some students are handicapped by their poor preparation for college and are obliged to take a lower stand than their more fortunate fellows. In this connection, he finds fault with the method of awarding prizes because he says it is made purely on the basis of scholarship. In this, he is only partially right. Scholarship is of course the basis of awarding aid; what else could be? But the gentlemen who have the distribution of scholarships in charge, have the privilege of using their discretion as to whether high standing shall be the only thing considered. In many cases aid is given to a student who is judged to need the scholarship most, although his standing in his class is lower than some others who apply for aid. In conclusion it may be said that it would be far better for those who think they have ground for complaint to find out whether it is a just one or not before they disparage a system which has been shaped by the long experience of thoughtful men.