"Some Judge by Authors' Names . . . ."

In sensitive circles one of life's most painful experiences is to be at a disadvantage in dress. Edward S. Harkness, Governor Frank G. Allen of Massachusetts, and President Lowell of Harvard, attended the inaugural dinner of the new House Plan unit, Lowell House, a short time ago in dinner jackets. . . .

That the facts of that evening are indeed mere details we assert emphatically, wherewith the CRIMSON says "perhaps." But that they "disclose a principle which is not in accord with the principles of the House Plan" appears to us to be as far-fetched, as tactless, as clumsy a bit of reasoning as one could find. To think that a group of 250 men can be so acutely sensible, not to the canons, but to the superficial quibbles which intrude into the field of taste is beyond us. We were not present and it may be that there was an atmosphere so undemocratic that protest was inevitable, but we doubt it. And above all it appears to us strange that a paper, as widely read as the CRIMSON presumably is should have taken such an attitude. Upon slim and ludicrous grounds they do everything in their power to turn people against the House Plan They profess to be anxious that it get off to a good start, but pour scathing criticism upon it calculated to win it disapproval.

The editors of the CRIMSON may have once opposed the institution of the House Plan with all their hearts. . . . But now it has been instituted, and is obviously there to stay. Even the most short sighted person must see that support, encouragement, cooperation will avail more now than opposition and ridicule. While to have seized upon such petty circumstances as the wearing of dinner-jackets by their notable guests of honor, and their position at a higher table, is to add absurdity to an already unfortunate editorial.

(Editor's Note: After reading the above commentaries from the Yale News, one instinctively feels that something ought to be said in, reply, if only from an altruistic desire to enlighten the New Haven editors and put them on their guard. But the case looks very sad, and it is extremely doubtful if such an attempt will meet with any success.

The Yale News is not located in Cambridge, its staff does not live in Lowell House nor have any of its members ever attended a High Table. All this is very unfortunate in a way, and makes the possibility of an understanding even more remote. So nothing remains but to await the outcome of events. By this time next year Yale will have House Units of its own; there will be a House master in every House, and perhaps there will be a High Table or two. And last but not least, the Yale News is to have a new building.)