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Graduate Opposition to House Plan Unfounded Says Williams

Advise Careful Consideration of Building--Meeting in May Will Take Up Problems

"Opposition to the House Plan among graduates and undergraduates is based largely upon ignorance of the plan and its purposes," declared H. M. Williams '85, president of the Associated Harvard Clubs, when interviewed by a CRIMSON reporter yesterday. Mr. Williams accompanied Professor J. H. Coolidge '95 on his recent trip to Chicago and St. Louis, and while in Chicago, presided over the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Council of Associated Harvard Clubs.

Claims Undergraduate Favor

"I have discussed the House Plan with a number of undergraduates and find the opinion of those at all informed on the subject to be almost universally favorable. The rejection, by a college referendum, of the student council proposal of the House Plan two years ago would not have occurred, I feel sure, had the matter been sufficiently understood. The fact that the leaders in undergraduate life, then as now, favored such a proposal may surely be regarded as indicative of the support of the thinking student.

No Dissent Among Graduates

"Among graduates, sentiment is almost without dissent in favor of the House Plan. The Executive Committee of the Council of Associated Harvard Clubs, numbering among its members men from all over the country, the other day took action unanimously approving the plan.

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Supports Building Consideration

"There is a strong feeling, however, among Harvard men everywhere that we should go very slowly in carrying out the details of an arrangement which will continue in effect for 200 or 300 years. The locations of certain buildings as proposed by the architects are considered by many not the best possible; and it is generally thought that the plan recently presented by two members of the student council for the building of a second yard between De Wolfe and Boylston Streets should not be altogether discarded until careful consideration has been given to its suggestions.

Advantages Manifest

"The advantages of the site of the Boston Elevated power plan for something more impressive than an ordinary dormitory have been set forth, and it has even been suggested that a lease might be obtained to build over the car yards on the other side of Boylston Street. Since the College owns the land on both sides of this street, a really imposing and beautiful entrance to the college yard could be made at this point.

Will be Discussed in Full

"This and other aspects of the plan will be discussed in detail at the meeting in Cambridge of the Associated Harvard Clubs on May 23, 24, and 25, at which President Lowell, the heads of the prospective houses, and the architect will probably speak. At the same time we will have the opportunity to hear the suggestions of Harvard men from different parts of the country as to the best solution of this problem, without doubt the most interesting which Harvard has faced for many, many years."

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