The fact of salient importance in the announcement of the changes of plans for the new indoor athletic plant is the postponement of the erection of a swimming pool. Reparation of the one great failure of Harvard athletic equipment to keep pace with policy, expected by many this winter, is delayed until some indefinite date.

In altering the original plans the Harvard Athletic Association has met several situations which would have been troublesome when the building was finished. To many the delay may appear unreasonable, but in refusing to sacrifice practicality to expediency, Mr. Bingham has chosen the wise course.

It now becomes clear that the responsibility of supplying the University with its most urgent athletic need rests with the alumni, and with whoever else may be in a position to contribute toward its construction. Until the sum of $300,000 is subscribed to meet the complete cost, actual work cannot start. The element of time does not enter alone into the question The conditions of the original gift of $250,000 which gave impetus to the plans stipulated that construction be begun by February 1929, and be complete by February, 1930. Failure to meet the first of these conditions will mean the loss of the gift--a quarter of the entire sum needed. It is not enough that the friends of Harvard discharge their responsibility eventually They must discharge it quickly, or become members of that unfortunate class, the pinch-hitters who failed to hit.