LETTERMEN

The increasing emphasis on Inter-House athletics, as indicated by the recent decision permitting men on probation to compete, has created a demand even stronger than before for the extension of permission to past letter men and those on the Varsity. While the authorities have endeavored to insure everyone the opportunity of competing in intramural sports, they have to some extent overlooked the fact that a keener rivalry would induce even more men to participate; a reorganization is in this respect necessary.

Under a system making all men equally eligible, no matter what insignia they have won, and no matter how proficient they are in their respective events, three classes of men would be affected: the lettermen on probation, lettermen who have given up their sport of former years, and the lettermen of sports like tennis, track, and the like, who could afford to devote time to the Houses. The only objection to including these man in the competitions has been that their presence would discourage others; this is a theory which has not been supported sufficiently to enable it to act as a deterrent. If lettermen were to be admitted into House sports, other men might play on the lower teams, or match their mettle with the mighty if they so desired. To some extent such an arrangement would undoubtedly be a makeshift, with the all attendant difficulties peculiar to compromise measures. It would, however, augment the spirit of inter-House rivalry; should any sport suffer from a loss of members attracted to the House fields, it would deserve to be eliminated.

It is more and more apparent that a live and thorough interest in athletics is more to the point in Harvard and its House Plan than is intercollegiate contest. There is no limit to the number of teams of graded ability that interested students can organize; in any way to permit a victorious House to be regarded as unjustified in its victory, or to place House sports in a position of inferiority, is little in accord with the broadest policies of the University.