The scrubwomen case as a separate issue officially came to a close last spring when the University authorities announced a thorough investigation of the whole employment problem. Until some report of this survey is made public, it is unlikely that any further publicity about the scrubwomen can contribute towards the solution of the basic issue involved.

The payment at this time of $3,880 "back pay" by a group of alumni satisfies the sense of duty of the contributors, who consider the whole affair a "blot on Harvard." It will doubtless also be welcome to the former employees.

With the distribution of the conscience money, the last sensational aspect of the case is concluded. There remains, however, the need for some answer to the general question raised by the scrubwomen episode. That answer the University has long since promised to give.