THE PRESS

By formally opening its tercentenary exercises on Friday, Harvard was able to observe another anniversary as well, that of the birth of Charles William Eliot on March 20, 1834. Not a few in the gathering must have recalled the meeting in Sanders Theatre just twelve years before, when Chief Justice Taft and other distinguished men brought greetings of the nation to Mr. Eliot, "America's first citizen," on his ninetieth birthday. How far, far away now seems that happy afternoon in March, 1924!

President Conant's address last night showed that he is extremely sensitive to the changes which have occurred in America since then and are still occurring. He entitled his address, "Why Present Harvard Should Have a Future," and remarked rather sadly, that "such a title would never have occurred to the president of the university in 1836 or even fifty years ago when the 250th anniversary of Harvard's founding was being celebrated. But these are skeptical days. . . . "

Later on he admitted that "at moments we have wondered whether in this period of the country's history, in a time of uncertainty, of financial depression, it was indeed wise to have such an elaborate celebration (as Harvard is now planning for the remainder of 1936)". Although he discreetly avoided mentioning the fact, Mr. Conant is also probably not unaware that a Harvard graduate will be a leading and controversial figure in a political campaign this fall which may divide the nation.

A bad year, yes, in many ways. We in Massachusetts are all too conscious of a real and active assault on the tradition of academic freedom. The country at large frets at "fads and fancies" in our colleges and universities and is demanding a more utilitarian product. Even some very thoughtful persons are wondering if science has not moved too fast for the world in the last century and if a "breathing-spell" on research and invention should not be declared.

These and other doubts and fears have placed Harvard and other great American universities on the defensive for perhaps the first time in their history--certainly for the first time within the memory of living Americans.

A bad year, yes, but also a year when all Americans who believe in the possibilities of the human mind for further progress, happiness and common benefit should stand firm and resist the forces of retrogression. President Conant ended his address--one of the best he has yet made--with a declaration which should awaken a virile response both inside and outside of the Harvard brotherhood. --The Boston Herald