SCHISMATICS

To the Editors of The Crimson:

The Crimson, by editorials and liberal coverage of environmental impact statements, rightfully opposed the construction of the Kennedy Library complex on the MBTA lot. However, the May 20 editorial, meanly entitled "Blowing it," castigates President Box for his failure to obtain for Harvard the archives portion of the complex. Whether or not Bok "blew it," implicit in the editorial is the chauvinism for which. The Crimson so often criticizes Harvard's older generation. It is chauvinistic to place Harvard's particular interest in academic resources over the benefit to the public which the united complex would provide. To follow The Crimson's suggestion and split the archives from the museum is not only silly economics but also elitist academics. The split of the complex would perpetuate the regrettable tendency to separate scholarly work from its presentation to the public.

It is perfectly fitting that the Kennedy complex be placed at the University of Massachusetts at Columbia Point. Most of the objections to the complex by Cambridge tenants are considered benefits by the residents of Columbia Point Furthermore, the University of Massachusetts would gain much more from the complex than would Harvard from the split version. ALLEN DENNISON '74.5   Guy Gillespie '77