With the inauguration this week of the series of inter-House squash and basketball contests scheduled for this winter, comes the possibility of a new phase in the development of the Harvard athletic system. The fall season has shown that House athletics cannot be established without a considerable degree of organization. And an active part must be taken by participants in House sports as well as by the H. A. A.

Informally has been hailed as the most desirable characteristic of intramural matches. The contests ought, however, to the informal without being desultory. If one House produces half a team for a scheduled game, the game is necessarily cancelled, as a House contest at least. Without a good measure of regularity in the games, interest in them is bound to lag.

In arranging a winter-schedule and providing facilities for coaching, the Athletic Association has done its part well. It cannot be too strongly emphasized, however, that inter-House activities of every kind depend for their success primarily on undergraduate interest. They cannot survive as hot-house products. In practice, as far as athletics are concerned, this means essentially that House captains must accept the responsibility of organizing their respective teams.

The day when athletic interest at Harvard will be directed cheifly to Houses is still distant. Its coming will depend on the creation of a tradition of competition which cannot grow up over night, but which will be greatly helped or hindered by the efforts of the various teams this year.