BABBIT REBELS

Sinclair Lewis has refused the Pulitzer prize awarded him for his novel "Arrowsmith"; and to the detriment of no one, neither. Sinclair Lewis nor the Pulitzers. Mr. Lewis can continue to write untrammelled, and the prize will without doubt fall to some more oallous artist. In accepting a prize, there is undoubtedly a certain acquiescence in the manner of the contest. If Mr. Lewis disapproves of prize contests on principle, if he sees a pledge to fly no higher than the will of his donor will permit, then, whether over-sensitive or no, he will not be grudged by the world the permission to segregate himself. On the other hand, contests like those conducted by the Pulitzers and publicly accredited with fairness, as far as fairness, as far as fairness is a human capacity, will continue to inspire artistic effort, not to be scorned even if directed toward profit and honor.

Altogether, Mr. Lewis' withdrawal restores a harmless status quo. The prize will simply be reawarded. Of course there are those who will discover not only sensitiveness, but downright disdain in Mr. Lewis and will froth accordingly. And there will be those also, loyal to the author's point of view, who will harm his reputation by imputing characteristics to the award at which he never hinted. But beyond these are the people who know a triviality when they see one, who will grant the man the right to his pet aversions and to the Pulitzers. Their fair administration of an institution which has not only inspired creative effort but directed public attention toward the serious products of it.