To the Editor of the CRIMSON:

In view of the greatly increased interest in public speaking shown this year, I wish to urge all men who have had any experience in debating or who think they may have some ability along this line to come out for the University Debating Team. The first trials will be held. Monday night in Harvard 6 at 7.00 P. M. All candidates will speak for five minutes on one side of the question, "Resolved: That the United States should recognize the Soviet government of Russia". Men retained after the first trials will deliver a ten minute speech at the second trials on March 1st, when the team to meet Yale and Princeton will probably be chosen.

For many years Harvard has had a long and honorable record in debating, which is almost on a level with our record in football. Last year we heard of one minor college claiming the debating championship of the country, chiefly because they beat Harvard. Our team defeated both Yale and Princeton. In order to keep up our standards, we must have all the available candidates in college out for the team.

Those who go through the training for the team get considerable benefit from it. Judge Stone, who trained so many winning Harvard teams, has said that the debating team is the equivalent of at least half a course of college work. The judges of the university debates are nearly always members of the Supreme Court or other leading men of Massachusetts, Connecticut, or New Jersey. The debates therefore do not consist of spread-eagle oratory, but rather in the analysis of a given question, the construction of arguments, the selection and presentation of evidence, and the delivery of arguments in a convincing manner. Speeches are not written or memorized, but men are taught to talk on their feet.

The question chosen for this year is one on which every man who can talk should have some opinion. The coach for the Triangular debate. Mr. B. E. Carter '16 and 3L, was a member of a very famous Harvard team which beat Yale. All that we need is candidates. W. L. PROSSER 1L.   Debating Coach.   February 23, 1922.