AN IMPORTANT ISSUE

Few of the undergraduates realize as yet the importance of the athletic issue which we shall soon be called upon to face. The Faculty has handed down an expression of opinion that "the number of intercollegiate contests should be largely reduced." On Saturday the CRIMSON pointed out the disastrous effect upon Harvard if we alone follow such a course; but the suggestion has since been made that the long period that has elapsed between the passing of the vote and its announcement indicates that other colleges have already been approached. We cannot believe, however, that our rivals, especially those that we like best to play, have consented to such a sweeping curtailment as our Faculty has in mind.

Suppose that Harvard is permitted to play but four or five games on each schedule. We do not think that this is an exaggerated statement of the contemplated move. What then will be the result? We shall be at an overwhelming disadvantage, we shall be unable to compete with any measure of success, and finally intercollegiate athletics at Harvard, the greatest binding and unifying force we have, will tend to die out.

This seems like a radical statement, but we cannot help feeling its truth. Athletes themselves admit that the practice is often drudgery, and its greatest pleasure is the feeling of strength that accompanies the gradual perfection of team play for the intercollegiate games,--the real tests. Shall we increase our periods of practice out of all proportion to our games, or shall we organize the football team in November and the baseball team for Commencement week? In either case the interest of the participants will be decreased one hundred-fold, and of that there can be but one result--intercollegiate athletics will die out. We feel confident that no undergraduate will allow this without a bitter protest.

In just what form the Faculty's vote will take effect we hesitate to say. We do not wish to speculate, but merely draw conclusions from what has already been done. If the death-blow cannot be struck through the Athletic Committee, there are countless regulations that the Faculty may itself impose upon the students with regard to intercollegiate games--regulations that we believe they would live to regret.