Biggest Blizzard of Year Paralyzes University With Two Feet of Snow

Nearly twenty inches of snow lashed the Northeast last night leaving the area buried under one of thickest March drifts in history. In Cambridge, Harvard and Radcliffe were almost completely paralized by the total accumulation of over two feet which fell during the past three days.

This morning, nature will plod blindly on. Spring begins officially at 10:21 a.m.

The City of Cambridge claimed that it was equal to the emergency. Mayor Edward Sullivan had 30 snow plows in action at 7 p.m. In the College area, however, snow was rising rapidly in the streets and sidewalks, as the drifts defied the city's snow removal power. Not to be denied, a Cambridge official stated that "plows would remain in action 'til the battle is won."

At the University the outlook was not quite so optimistic. Arthur D. Trottenburg, Operating Manager of Houses and Dormitories, said that so far this year plowing and heating expenses were not above last year's totals. But upon learning that more than a foot of snow would fall, he added, "Now we'll just have to sit on it and see what happens."

Widener Stays Open

By one o'clock most of the University offices were shut so that employees could get home before the roads closed. Lamont Library shut its doors for the same reason, and Widener became the only outpost of learning to remain in operation.

M.I.T. and Boston University gave up the ghost without a fight. They declared that all operations, including classes, would be suspended today. Here, only a scattered few professors announced that hour exams and classes would be postponed this morning. English 160 and German A, B, and E have had their exams put off. It is probable that many professors living in the suburbs will also not arrive this morning.

Army R.O.T.C. meetings were cancelled for the first time since Col. Trevor N. Dupuy assumed the leadership of the group. The Navy and Air Force could do no better.

Even the spring social openers were disrupted. In Lyman Laboratory students bemoaned the cancellation of the Monday afternoon tea-and-cake session with the Physics staff. At the Lampoon offices the annual robin-redbreast hunt was postponed until the thaw.

Liquor Sales Up

Only the local merchants successfully fought the elements. Although most Harvard Square stores closed their doors yesterday afternoon, Stonestreets remained open for business and solf three cord suits to optimistic College students. Business at the Varsity Liquor Store was better than ever.

Local police, though bullied by the storm, would not give ground to College students and promised that cars parked on the wrong side of the street, as well as those in the middle, would be towed away, "if we can get around to it."

The Great March Crisis managed to change Dudley to the status of a regular House for one day at least. A College official said yesterday that day students would be allowed to sleep overnight because of the exceptional conditions. Adding to the boarding problems, several professors did not return home last night and slept at the College so they could give classes as scheduled.

The usual number of minor riots were propagated last night in the College area. Linden and Bow Sts. were centers of furious activity as was the Yard. Linden was doused liberally from windows, and Bow was the scene of snow-balling exercises between town and gown. Radcliffe girls engaged in sporadic conflicts in their Quad.