Bostonians' indignation over a recent Gallup Poll received support yesterday from Oscar Handlin, professor of History. The poll listed Boston fourth behind Washington, New York, and Philadelphia as the American city with the "most historical interest."

"That just shows that Americans don't know their history," Handlin said. He indicated that Boston, with sections almost as they were in colonial days, should be rated first instead of Washington, a much newer city. Few of the old buildings in New York and Philadelphia are left, he added.

Boston was placed sixth among cities with the best food and did not even make the other six "best categories."