Lee Wade Prize in Public Speaking Won With Borah's Anti-Court Change Speech

Edward J. Duggan '37, reciting a speech made two weeks ago by Senator William E. Borah on "The Supreme Judicial Tribunal", won last night the Lee Wade prize for Elocution, the highest award of its kind given.

Second honors, and the first Boylston Prize went to Laird McK. Ogle '37, for his recitation in Greek of Hector's farewell to Andromache from the sixth book of Homer's Iliad. Both these winners receive $50 each.

Howard L. Blackwell, Jr. '39 was second in the Boylston prizes, and Willard M. Whitman, Jr. '39, third, each receiving $35.

Charles Townsend Copeland '82, Boylston Professor of Rhetoric, emeritus, Honorary Judge for last night, was unable to attend. The three judges were Charles Francis Adams '88, Edward A. Taft '04, and Charles B. Gulick '90, Eliot Professor of Greek Literature.

Ogle, speaking to an audience of which almost none understood the meaning of the Greek, put the dramatic action of Andromache's farewell across to his listeners by means of gestures and intonations, and vigorous applause followed his speech.

Duggan said that he had picked Borah's speech attacking the proposed court change because he thoroughly agreed with it. A contrast was made by Elwood M. Rabenold, Jr. '37, who spoke from the opposite point of view, reciting a speech by the Hon. James A. Bayard on "The Judiciary Act of 1802."

The Boylston Competition, held annually en Paine Hall of the Music Building, is the oldest collegiate elocution contest in the United States. The Lee Wade prize was established later with the stipulation that it be called the first prize of the evening.