HARVARD GROWS ALL AMERICAN

Inaugurated this fall was one of President Conant's finest pet ideas: the National Scholarship Plan, financed by the bountiful Tercentenary Fund. Created two years ago, this fund established the roving professorships and national scholarships, the latter to be bestowed upon promising youths from every section of the country that they might have an opportunity for study at a great American university. Last year scholarships of one thousand dollars were made available to students from fifteen states, ten in the Middle West and five in the South and Far West. As soon as additional rescources are at hand, the plan will be extended to other states, so that in time it may cover the whole of America.

The educational romanticist Hutchins of Chicago University predicted that the national scholarships would be unsuccessful. Unfortunately the theorist did not take into consideration the practicality of the scientist, for the gradual introduction and extension of the plan have insured its success. President Conant felt that the idea provided a chance, well worth society's while to offer, for a few individuals of exceptional character and ability who lacked financial means to develop their intellect in a great university such as Harvard.

The plan signifies more than that. It strengthens the life of the college by filling the intellectual cauldron with more and varied victuals, grown by fresh environments with whose habits and ideas Harvard has had silght contact. It increases the scope of service which Harvard strives to render the country. Best of all, when the ultimate goal is reached, the scholarships will tend to develop the idea of American civilization, another of the President's pets, defined practically in the American History course started last summer for both interested students and the general public. This idea has as its purpose the enrichening our civilization by giving impetus to native art and sciences, by bringing focus on the ideals of America, by nationalizing all sectional virtues and talents. This is a big order, rather creamy on the surface, but with a strong foundation; it is the sort of ideal worth supporting, and surely the extension of President Conant's national scholarships provides an excellent way of furthering it.