Regarding the April 3 article "Every Town is Our Town," it is format to see that he still has none of the "mutual respect" he so piously mentions in his last paragraph. I refer, of course, to his line in the next-to-last paragraph that "they like to assure me that all of us here at Harvard are born-and-bred snobs just as they assume that we all live on Beacon Hill and who prepped at Andover and Exeter." Mr. Wurf is implying that all those who live on Beacon Hill and who prepped at Andover and Exeter are snobs. How very snobby of Mr. Wurf. But of course, he is right in saying that a little mutual respect would go a long way, especially for him.

P.S: I neither live on Beacon Hill, nor did I prep at Andover or Exeter.   Henry K. Porter III '79   MBA '85

A Nice Town

Dear Mr. Wurf:

Your piece in the April 3 issue of the Crimson appears to indicate that you have to some extent realized the problems inherent in your initial judgement of Duluth, Minn. As a resident of that area and a Harvard student I feel compelled to point out several of the issues which you avoided in your several articles.

Duluth was once a thriving city. It can no longer be described in such terms, as you have learned. Such change is common to a number of cities across the country, and it is undoubtedly hard on the residents of each. The citizens of Duluth, in my opinion, have been excruciatingly honest in recognizing the need for adjustment in all facets of their lives. They have worked for more local jobs, recruited new industry, beautified their city, and recognized the possibilities Duluth has as a tourism center for Minnesota and the Midwest Their attempts to Real with Duluth's fading status as an industrial center cannot be labelled pathetic: indeed in my opinion they are exemplary of a brand of persistence and courage rare in this day and age. Of these qualities you make no mention.

In your article you kicked people when they were down. Duluthians are aware of many problems in their area, but they certainly never expected to be berated for their enthusiasm. They would not make fun of working-class citizens of Boston who ardently support the Boston Celtics, nor would they belittle the students and alumni of Northeastern University who support their school's football team.

The enthusiasm of Duluthians is not blind or limited. They are participants as well as supporters. Friends of mine are involved in coaching, world class curling, bowling, and amatuer softball. This is not to mention the general interest in anything outdoors: fishing, hunting, canoeing, or camping. These people teach school, counsel troubled youth, and run local businesses. A life exists for them apart from Bulldog hockey, and yet they were at the game and kidding me as I rooted for Harvard. Their pride in Bulldog hockey could be termed excessive, but it is accepted as evidence of people still interested in and proud of their community.

Mr. Wurf, who apologize for misinterpreting Duluth's status as a big city? It is not a big city, not does it aspire to be. It can only be foolish to compare it with cities such as Boston or Washington D.C. There is a big difference between two million and 100,000 people. Duluthians admit this, but are nonetheless firm in their devotion to a high standard of living. As you admitted somewhat backhandedly, the area does have a symphony, a ballet troupe, a playhouse, and popular concerts. It is the home of three colleges, not one, as you mentioned. These are certainly modest claims, but they are notable for a city of this size. They represent a commitment to a quality life only miles from some of the wildest stretches of land and water in the contiguous United States.

I spent part of an otherwise enjoyable spring break apologizing to friends and acquaintances because of your article. You have certainly not reinforced in many minds the image of Harvard as a bastion of warmheartedness and generosity. You have also no doubt hampered the efforts of Harvard admissions officers and athletic coaches who recruit talented and bright students from an area where they have had notable success. In your tounge-and-check apologies you make no reference to these issues. The Harvard Crimson is a campus newspaper, or at least should be. Your journalism has done little to promote the reputation of Harvard-Radcliffe and much to establish enmity where there need be none.   Christopher W. Johnson '86

Noblesse Oblige

Dear Nick:

You came to Duluth to report on a hockey game and ended up alienating a whole community there's got to be a lesson there someplace.

You missed the real story behind the "little signs." The people of Duluth are not Neanderthals (sic) overly wrapped up in their college hockey team. In fact, many probably don't know a face-off from a face lift. What they are acknowledging is the commitment to excellence of this group of student-athletes and their coaching staff. The difference between mediocrity and excellence in sports is very narrow, but it take extraordinary effort to bridge that gap. These players have given that effort-individually and collectively-and for that the community salutes them.

We live in a time when academic skills and orientation confer an advantage. In other times, other skills i.e. hunter, horseman, archer, etc, were more valuable[sic]. High academic achievers must realize, however, that they are in the minority in this country and certainly in the world as it is currently structured. Those of us with education can either put down our fellow man or reach down to insure that each has an opportunity to fulfill his destiny [sic].