(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:

Superficially the crew situation may appear dismal. Admittedly the present system of control by the Rowing Committee puts a coach between Scylla and Charybdis. And obviously, to all who watched Saturday's race between University and Freshman crews, the Freshmen were distinctly better. But there are factors to be considered, which the layman, who demands not form but "guts", should understand before condemning this year's crew as hopeless.

Consider this: heavy crews invariably arrive at top speed slowly; Freshman crews invariably reach their maximum development early-and often "burn out" afterwards (take warning, Freshmen!); the University is very heavy; the Freshman crew is unusually uniform in height and weight, and is consequently able to get together quickly. Who can be sure how they will compare in two weeks?

And consider this: it generally takes about three years to make a really good oarsman; to grind "form" into, his system so thoroughly that he will hold it under pressure of extreme exhaustion. How hard then to expect eight men to re-learn rowing in a year so thoroughly that they will not "crack", or have off days when they revert to their old rowing habits. The Freshmen have nothing to which to revert. As to the idea that it is "guts, not form" which we want, let me suggest that it is speed which we want-a thing to be obtained only by the combination of "form" and "guts". "Form" without "guts" is pretty, but foolish. "Guts" without "form" is brutal stupidity, the sort of thing that makes the last mile utterly impossible; it is an anachronism-"cave-man stuff" is a bit out of date in rowing.

But most important of all things in rowing is the psychological situation-the mental attitude: lack of confidence, confidence, or over-confidence. This is more important in rowing than in almost any other sport: the cumulative effect of eight minds is amazing. A change of attitude will add or subtract three lengths overnight. Any attack which indicates lack on confidence in our crew and their coach is bound to hurt, not help: and the editor of the CRIMSON is only making it harder for eight unusually good oarsmen to show that they can combine as a unit and really "go" on Saturday.

Let's be for the crew; and as for the system of control, when we see a really big man, who can manage the situation, and keep all the "parlor oarsmen" in hand, let's grab him. But until we find him patience and confidence! DENISON B. Hell, '19, May 1st, 1923.