ARREST OF BOOK THIEF BARES WIDENER RACKET

The arrest in Boston of Dr. B. B. Clark, suspected book thief who later described to police inspectors a book racket of thefts totalling $500,000 has definite bearing on the situation of losses at the Harvard College Library, and new developments in the case it is hoped will enable Harvard authorities to stem the losses of books that take place yearly.

Contrary to the first stories in the metropolitan papers last evening stating that the Harvard Library had suffered losses amounting to $40,000, the amount is nearer $8,000, according to A. C. Potter '89, Librarian.

These losses occurred for the most part during last year, and it was largely to check the thefts that the present turnstile system was introduced into the library. Potter stated last evening that most of the books stolen were on western history, including writings on settlements in Oregon in particular. Of the large number lost at that time, a majority have never been recovered, while a small number were discovered in bookstores in New York and elsewhere, and returned to Harvard.

Yesterday morning C. R. Apted, superintendent of caretakers, visited the Boston Police headquarters when inspectors were examining the books taken with Clark on his arrest. The Harvard representative questioned the suspect for nearly an hour, Clark admitting that he had been in the Yard, but denying that he had ever entered Widener Library.

Of the books found in Clark's possession none of them came from the Harvard College Library, as far as could be determined last night.