PLEA FOR A NEW GYMNASIUM.

Face to face with the same problem that the University met back in the seventies, the CRIMSON now turns its back upon any possibility of putting the Hemenway Gymnasium into shape suitable to our modern needs, and will confine its efforts to bringing before every Harvard man the crying need of a new gymnasium. To that end we are publishing this morning a few facts about Harvard gymnasiums past and present.

In his report for the year 1872-3 President Eliot says, "The gymnasium of the University is completely outgrown . . . it is not possible to enlarge the building with advantage. As the University has plenty of unoccupied land, it would be advisable . . . to erect a plain wooden building and to convert the present gymnasium into a swimming bath. . . . In 1859, when the gymnasium was finished, there were 623 students in Cambridge departments of the University; there are now 955."

Let us compare this situation with the one today. Our Gymnasium is outgrown and it cannot be advantageously enlarged. We still have plenty of land in the new athletic centre, suitable for a modern gymnasium. It is more than advisable, it is practically necessary, to erect some sort of a new building. Just what the present one might be converted into we dare not suggest. The swimming bath is still in the future, for the suggested building has long been used as a museum. Today there are 3583 students in Cambridge departments of the University--an increase of 2628. When the agitation that resulted in the Hemenway Gymnasium first started there were 955--an increase of 332.

How much greater therefore are our present needs than in 1878, when Mr. Hemenway contributed so liberally in the good cause. Aside from statistical proofs, the consistently poor records of our basketball, fencing, swimming and gymnastic teams alone show that there is something at fault. All point to our overcrowded, ill-ventilated, unsanitary Gymnasium; and the managers of these teams personally confirm the contention.

We appeal to the University, if it has funds to spare; we appeal to our graduates; we appeal to everyone interested in the promotion of healthful exercise, to make it possible to erect at Harvard a gymnasium that may be classed among the leaders and deemed worthy of this University.