350th

To the Editors of The Crimson:

I have recently received a letter from the committee in charge of the 350th Anniversary, informing me that the celebration in the Stadium in early September will be produced by the same impresario who gave us the opening and closing ceremonies of the Los Angeles Olympics. The letter says that for a mere $500, I can be admitted to the circle of honor, presumably halfway up and at midfield, for the best view of the spectacle.

The first statement is perplexing; the second is offensive. Is there really going to be a parade of pilgims and 100 grand pianos playing Harard songs while crimson pennants drop into the stands by parachute and the audience executes card stunts and shouts "Harvard's number one?"

At the Harard I attended we learned the value of taste and understatement. We were ocnfident enough of the superior virutes of the insititution that we did not feel the need to adverstise them.

Nor is it appropriate to turn this event into a fundraising sheme. It should be a happy celebration, free to all, with open seating. It is but a step from the sale of preferential seasts at this event to their sale at Commencement, and just a few more to the awarding of honorary degrees to major contributors.

I doubt whether those organizing this event ever went to the College, or if they did whether they understood what it means to have done do. Or perhaps they are so impressed by the chauvinism and commercialism that pervades the nation at large they think Harvard should shed the trappings of an intellectual community and follow suit.

It would be sad if as the fireworks flare at Soldiers Field, Harvard turned out to be celebrating the loss of its soul. Milton S. Gwirtzman '54