DANGERS OF THE FRAY

Widespread comment and criticism have followed in the wake of the Harvard-Yale English contest held simultaneously in Cambridge and New Haven last Monday. Despite varying methods of approach and treatment practically all of the writers, who have touched on this subject have emphasized two cardinal points: that insofar as it is aimed toward the propagation of scholastic enthusiasm, the Harvard-Yale experiment is thoroughly to be commended, but that those who wish to see it in a rival, or even an analogy to athletic competitions are doomed to disappointment. In this column are reprinted extracts from the Nation and the Boston Transcript, which illustrate both of these points.

To what extent the scheme of academic contests, initiated by Mrs. Putnam will foster the general enthusiasm for learning in the colleges which adopt it can be determined only through experience. As to the dangers which this plan is liable to involve such as the advent of a time "when Yale men will wade into Paradise Lost for the greater glory of Yale" or the introduction of "the evils of spectacular athletic competition into scholarship" there should be little cause for worry. The want of "a good stage manager" and the "element of personal contact" should be enough to guarantee against the commercialization of scholarship or the fostering of a desire to win by any methods rather than to learn through sound study. At worst the series of scholastic contests started last Monday can do no more than to bury themselves in gentle oblivion.