[We invite all men the University to submit communications on subjects of timely interest.]

To the Editors of the CRIMSON:

There is an old saying, "It's always darkest before dawn." Once upon a time this may have been quoted by some optimistic undergraduate. But after so many phantoms of false morning in the days of Harvard athletics, after so many years of Juggernaut-like sacrifice on the part of the players; after an humble but ceaseless endeavor by all undergraduates to nourish in their midst a situation, maimed, tethered and hamstrung, all those interested in sport are by this last absurdity fairly roused into sitting up and taking notice. The only apparent opportunity to express one's sentiments to this august body of invisible patriarchs, whose longevity and circumstantial position of power alone seems their prerogative to thus castigate sport, long years spent let us say anywhere but on Soldiers Field, is by writing abbreviated communications to the CRIMSON. Let us hope they are read.

Curtailment, further handicap, more lead to the anchor. It's as absurd as it is typical. If that small, quaint, and old-fashioned distinction of issue between victory and defeat be not forgotten, if it bear any weight with those men in whom the injudicious restraint of athletics now lies, or if they are affected in any way by the existence of conditions which breed all over the country a broadcast belittlement of the University, why in the name of conscience and common sense don't they either abolish absolutely or let alone?

It would seem as if, the Faculty assumed in each man a certain Jekyll and Hyde dual composition of character. Those nobler qualities of the Jekyll side, desire to succeed; to master and to win are to be directed to the studies alone, while the baser Hyde characteristics, half-heartedness, hypocrisy of purpose and the famous Harvard indifference are to be exercised only on the sport. Isn't this a bit unreasonable? In a communication the other day by Mr. Derby we are led to believe that from those absences which occur at the end of a major sport season the Faculty naturally deduces that such sport to demand such method of recuperation in one of excess. Doubtless they do. But isn't this again an example of ignorance to be traced from unconcern over the success of that season? Here's a simpler explanation of those absences-the debilitation of re-echoing defeat, nothing but defeat! It is a natural time to hide one's light under a bushel. The cry of splendid showing gives no satisfaction. It is a poor thing, though a logical result of undergraduate reactionary sentiment, when they consider what the team has done in spite of the meddlesome interference of the Faculty and Corporation. Therefore I say instead of dipping a wrinkled thumb into the situation which at the best has been a hodge-podge mess of pottage, better to stand aside in dignified silence and watch. Then if football or any other sport does not by itself earn the justification of its independent existence, by all means step in and instantly abolish. Don't hang another millstone around its neck and say, "Linger on." That is if winning or losing makes any difference.  W. PETDO