In the class races there is always a strong tendency for the crews to be tardy at the start. To be the last crew in position is considered an advantage, and the manaeuvres to secure this advantage make the race indefinitely late. There is no profit in this. It is not to the advantage of any crew to make the race late, but simply to be later than the others. As fair a chance is given for ingenuity to gain an advantage if the race is set for five and rowed at five, as if the race is set for five and rowed at six; only if one captain is tardy, he forces all the rest to be tardy also.

Now, since nothing is gained by this condition of affairs, it is unquestionably owed to spectators that they should not be afflicted with the vexatious delay which is caused by it. A mutual agreement seems to us the needed remedy. Let the four captains give their word of honor to each other that, barring unavoidable accidents, each will have his crew ready at the areed time. Then students will have confidence that the race will, if possible, be rowed as announced.