To us it seems, that the Committee appointed by the Faculty to consider the advisability of adopting a course of Physical Training at Harvard, have four alternatives with which to deal. In the first place they have to consider the advisability of recommending a prescribed course which shall not count for a degree; in the second place, a prescribed course which shall count for a degree; thirdly, an elective system offering no credit; and fourthly, one offering credit.

In considering these separately it will be found that an elective system with no credit offered, is exactly what we are finding unsatisfactory at present, and all must agree that a prescribed course not counting toward a degree, would not only cause much discontent but would be contrary to all Harvard traditions. Thus the four alternatives are narrowed to two, and the choice must lie between a prescribed course or an elective, credit to be given in either case.

As far as we are concerned we would recommend the elective. We believe that no prescribed course even though counting toward a degree, would receive the general endorsement that would an elective, and further an elective course offers much broader posibilities. Inevitably any prescribed system must be carried on along certain restricted lines, while many alternatives may be offered in an elective, and men enabled to choose their favorite form of exercise. For instance, not only would those training for the athletic teams be excused from any fixed form of exercise, but tennis, boxing, fencing, golf, bicycling, could be taken into account, and even geological or botanical excursions accepted as a substitute. In fact, it is our opinion that an elective course of physical training giving credit toward a degree, could be so managed as to prove in every way most effective in encouraging every form of healthy out-of-door exercise.