To the Editors of The CRIMSON:

John Archibald has made a serious charge in his recent letter to the CRIMSON in which he asserts that "blatant graft" exists in the handling of tickets within the Department of Athletics. It is not my desire to prolong the tempest brewed by his irresponsible charge, but as Director of Athletics, I feel compelled to comment that there has never been the slightest question as to the loyalty, honesty, and integrity of the ticket office staff.

The proper distribution of tickets is a constant source of concern to the Department and to the Faculty Committee on Athletic Sports. Frequent reviews are made of distribution policies to assure that all interested elements of the Harvard family--students, alumni, and administration--receive the consideration which is their due. Realistically speaking, however, it is virtually impossible to satisfy everyone in the allocation and distribution of tickets.

Admittedly, difficulties were encountered in procuring and distributing tickets for the first Eastern College Athletic Conference hockey tournament. Many of these problems were in areas over which the Department of Athletics had no control. T. D. Bolles   Director of Athletics