No Headline

The action of the Faculty yesterday unquestionably looks to the temporary abolishment of intercollegiate football as far as Harvard is concerned. The position taken by the Athletic Committee, as stated in their communication, has been without effect in altering the judgement of the Faculty, and the end is not hard to foresee. The Faculty have the power, as they evidently have the will, to prevent any student in the College, the Lawrence Scientific School, or the Graduate School, from taking part in an intercollegiate football contest. For the present they waive this power, doubtless hoping that the Athletic Committee will save them from the necessity of exercising it; but intercollegiate football contests, whether voluntarily or involuntarily abandoned, can hardly be anticipated for next fall.

The first feeling aroused by this prospect will with many be one of keen indignation, and with all one of extreme regret; but the latter feeling will grow at the expense of the former. However distasteful the opinions of the Faculty may be, no one will question that they spring from a sincere devotion to the welfare of the University. It is, however our belief, as it has been, that the action of the Faculty is mistaken and ill-timed, and that with the present widespread disposition to reform intercollegiate. football, the game could actually be brought back to its proper standing as a gentlemanly sport. As long as there was any chance that the Faculty would allow the attempt to be made, we urged its desirability, as did many of the Faculty themselves. But the decisive action which is now assured, essentially changes the situation. The University is confronted with the inevitable, and should accept it, as Captain Brewer well suggests, with gentlemanly good grace.