(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:

In his communication published in the CRIMSON of last Friday, Mr. Adrien Gambet has seen fit to indulge in a vicious and unsubstantiated attack on the German Department. Mr. Gambet charges that the department does not assume the right attitude toward the student. Has it occurred to him that there may be something wrong with the attitude of the student toward the department?

Realizing perfectly well that many men take German A only because they are obliged to do so, certain members of the department even take special pains to avoid injuring the feelings of their students. In the face of discouraging facts the instructors struggle to arouse the interest of their classes, and, strange to say, they are unbelievably successful. As proof of his assertion that the department is openly hostile, Mr. Gambet cites the placard announcing the first meeting of the course. If Mr. Gambet or anyone else can construe that simple warning as an instance of the uncompromising attitude of the German Department, he must be of an exceedingly sensitive and, fortunately for the peace of the world, rare type.

As to the reassigning of sections according to grades, that is not unusual. It is generally recognized that good students should not be retarded in order to allow a pace suitable for their less energetic fellows. A rearrangement of sections is common in other courses than German A.

We all agree with Mr. Gambet in his assumption that the "flunked" men know best how to conduct a course. That is a characteristic of "flunked" men. Beyond the shadow of a doubt, if the grammar were taken by easier stages, all would agree that things would be much more convenient and comfortable. By the way, it is "a very dull grammar". Some people think it is a pretty good grammar. Clear, with lessons in logical order, and interesting as grammars go, it is very well suited for its purposes. Used in many educational institutions other than Harvard, it is highly rated among those fitted to judge it.

But after all of what avail are good grammars and capable instructors if the students have made up their minds before they enter the classroom that they do not like the course, and are resolved not to do the work required, but to take a chance on "getting by"? It would seem that the difficulty lies not with the department but with the supposedly eager seekers for learning who can not force themselves to work in a course they are obliged to take.

Since 1914 anything with the tag "German" has had a hard road to travel, and we may well attribute to racial bias the prejudiced, unjust, and indeed, insulting tone of Mr. Gambet's communication. JOSKPH BRADLEY '24.   November 6, 1922.