THE SPIRIT AND THE LETTER

Until we shall have become familiar with the details and workings of the system of co-operation arranged for the Institute and the University any added interpretation by the framers is of paramount interest. The version given by President Lowell before the New York Harvard Club last night throws added light on one important point. The treatment of the graduate student under the plan is of superlative importance believing as we do in the principle at the base of the Graduate School of Applied Science. We should be sorry to see that principle lost in the resulting combination. Yet it is well nigh impossible to provide for this under any specific rulings without seriously hampering the coherence and smooth working of any joint system. Absence of unilateral stipulations is essential to the success of the scheme.

Accordingly the conclusion reached by the fathers of the project that the matter must be "left in the hands of the (joint) Faculty" seems the only way out. To leave the subject intact to be treated without a priori restriction by the administrators of the new organization--thus and thus only can the desired results be obtained without sacrifice of freedom in the whole body. Indeed that is, we take it, the key note of the whole movement. The details are perplexing, the plans of action elaborate and yet the ultimate success of the work depends on the sincere intelligent co-operation of the administrative officers. No amount of detailed specification can avail as much as the spirit of co-operation. High ideals inspired the proceedings from the first; with these obtaining, proper treatment of graduate school and other problems can be confidently expected.