In the past two or three years there has been a steady growth towards centralization in Harvard athletics. This tendency has been fostered by the action of the general athletic committee, by the graduate advisory committees, by the appointment of a graduate treasurer for all branches of athletics, and lastly by the dependence of the teams themselves upon each other.

The latest movement in this scheme for central organization and support is the Harvard Training Association, the organization of which we give in another column. The plan upon which this association is to be run is admirable, and is bound to work well in practice. As a matter of fact, including what the men themselves pay, the yearly expenses for training table by three class crews, the freshman football, and the four 'varsity teams has been eleven thousand dollars. It is a question how much of this large sum has been pure profit divided among the boarding houses where the teams have trained. A very considerable portion, at any rate, of the money has been clear gain for the boarding houses; and by the new plan the teams are to get a little of this profit. Under the old system, our teams have had to support five different boarding places; under the new scheme they will have only one to support. It is no wonder, then, that under such an arrangement the teams can secure better food and better cooking than the boarding houses can afford to furnish; and, moreover, for athletic expenses, save a considerable sum besides.

Another feature of the plan is to make the food and service so good that men will be attracted to the Association for private tables. From the last of November to March every year there will be no athletic team at the Association; and at that time especially, the managers believe, private club tables will take advantage of the new system.