(The Crimson invites all men in the University to submit signed communications of timely interest. It assumes no responsibility, however, for sentiments expressed under this head and reserves the right to exclude any whose publication would be palpably inappropriate.)

To the Editor of the CRIMSON:

As a member of the newly materialized class of '25, I hope that I will not be thought presuming if I venture a few words, in a critical vein, unfortunately, on the editorial which appeared in the issue of October 4th entitled "A Dire Symptom".

The truth is always to be sought for and made known, no matter how unpleasant, but the assertion that Harvard has reached the apex of its glory and is launched on the period of its decay strikes me as both groundless and unpolitic.

That laxness, in the direction indicated by the stiffened regulation concerning visitors to the dormitories, may eat far into the core of any institution, is undeniable. But is the adoption of the imperative made in a single instance, when it is the usual form for all regulations, sufficient grounds on which to foretell the unavoidable decay of our College? Does not the pendulum of progress move through its grand sweeps in a series of minor oscillations? Any day might mark the turning point for the worse, as many before now would have done had not the morale of the college swept past them to better things.

The remedy of the present case is obvious and simple, and lies with the men themselves, especially the Freshmen. Rather than consider that an unescapable period of decay has set in, let us say that a menacing symptom has shown itself--and let's get rid of it bag and baggage. PHILIP WALKER '25.

October 4, 1921.