Freshmen Try to Riot But Police Intervene

University police and freshman proctors worked quickly and effectively last night to stymie the effort of about 200 freshman to stage the annual riot.

At midnight, just as the police were changing shifts the freshman -- many notified in advance by telephone -- gathered at the base of the John Harvard statue.

Shouting "on to the Cliffe," about 50 ran to the Cambridge Common where they paused to regroup. Deciding that they didn't have enough rioters, they returned to the Yard to stir up more interest.

But by then it was too late. The police had closed the Mass Ave gate nearest the Cliffe and with the help of freshman proctors succeeded in dispersing the crowd.