The best news which has reached the Harvard undergraduate world for many a week is the publication of the report of the committee of the Overseers against the proposed reduction in the course. The CRIMSON admits that the advocates of the revolutionary plan have some strange arguments in their favor. But the CRIMSON has, from the first, in the name of the undergraduates earnestly protested against the plan and nothing is more cheering than the news that the overseers are with the students in the matter.

Harvard undergraduates are fully qualified and entitled to speak in a matter which concerns them so deeply and they feel that four years are none too long for their course of study. A lowering of the age at which professional men can begin work is indeed necessary. But to bring about such a result Harvard college has no right to cheapen its diplomas. The result can be accomplished either by the united influence of the large colleges upon the preparatory schools or, as proposed by the method of anticipating studies. Let the attendance at preparatory schools be steady in boyhood, as in France, and young men will then invariably graduate from college at twenty, as they are well able to do. Moreover, we deny that the new doctor or lawyer begins his real life work later than other young men who, instead of going to college, have drifted from one calling to another until at the age of twenty-four or twenty-five, they settle into their life's occupation when the professional man begins his.

The Harvard student is convinced that four years are necessary for the development of sufficient culture to withstand the lowering influence of the Philistinism which prevails in America. And, as matters now stand, men of the most average ability can easily graduate in three years if they want to. Seven '91 men graduated last June with '90. But investigation proves that six of those men are here this year again, taking the very courses that they might have taken as seniors. Does that prove that Harvard students are in a hurry to get away?

The CRIMSON also protests against a movement which would throw into chaos all class friendships, traditions and customs. The undergraduate knows how valuable are ties formed in youth and rejoices in every opportunity to increase them. He, moreover, realizes what a smattering of learning he is getting at the best and rejoices in every additional month that is added to his training. He protests against a plan so manifestly unjust to the alumni and to the first graduating class that would include both four and three year men. Moreover, what would be the use of coming to Harvard if the value of its degree were lowered to the level of those of all the second-rate colleges which throng the land?