Close to 450 "classmates" of the class of 1946 returned for their twenty-fifth reunion, beginning four days of discussions and partying which will end with the alumni exercises following Commencement Thursday afternoon.

Of the 1336 members of this wartime class-the largest in Harvard history-only 31 actually graduated in June of 1946. The others graduated anytime from June 1944 to June 1968, depending on whether they took an accelerated program or postponed completion until after the war (or several wars).

'H-of a Lot of Work'

The reunion is also expected to be the largest in Harvard history, with more than 2000 classmates and family members. The previous record of 1920 was set several years ago, with the turn-out sinking slowly ever since. Reunion chairman Wallace J. Flynn attributed the upsurge to "large family units and a hell of a lot of hard work."

The large family size may hurt the reunion committee's financial picture, as the fee for the week is $175 a family, regardless of the number in each. The reunion costs almost $300,000; reunion assistant Caroline Head said the committee tries to break even every year.

In the larger sense, the class has pledged $500,000 to Harvard, which is why no one is particularly worried about a small reunion deficit.

The schedule for the reunion is much the same as in previous years. The reunion theme has been dispensed with, after last year's "Fun Fest '45" attracted some adverse comment. But the dominant motif continues to be fun, food and alcohol, from the vichyssoise and cold cuts lunch for the entire family yesterday to lunch and cocktails Thursday for wives and college-age children while the classmates enjoy another private spread in the Sever Quad. In between, there is food and liquor atHarkness Commons, the Palmer-Dixon Courts, the Hasty Pudding. Lehman Hall, the Union. Essex Country Club, and the various Houses. Entirely separate programs are planned for children of various age groups.

On the serous side, returning classmates will be able to hear informative programs such as "Adams House Then and Now" with Master William Liller: "The Spiraling Cost of Higher Education and How to Pay for It" with Dean Dunlop; and "Canadian Professional Hockey" with football coach-designate Joe Restic.