PHILLIPS FAILS IN TRY TO OBTAIN CENSORED FRENCH LITERATURE

Harvard University is itself directly affected by the censorship of books now being so actively discussed. J. S. Phillips, proprietor of the well-known bookstore on Harvard Square, recently made a special trip to New York, that he might secure admission into the United States of copies of Rousseau's "Confessions," and of the complete works of Rabelais, both of which are used in French courses given by the University. For the time being, the situation is very bad, as all books are tied up at the customs office pending developments.

The status of affairs is clearly shown when it is explained that the condemnation of just one judge is sufficient to put any book on the banned list, which now contains 759 items. A government customs official, after looking through Rousseau's "Confessions," admitted that he saw nothing bad in them, but was forced, nevertheless, to refuse admittance for the book. He said that no matter what he might think, he could not do anything about letting the book into the country. Another unusual case is that in which a four hundred year old edition of the "Decameron" of Boccaccio was not allowed to come in.

Key Lies in Altering of Tariff

The solution of this problem of unrestricted censorship is seen in the amendment which was just passed in the Senate a few days ago. In order that censorship may be completely stopped, this bill must again go through the Senate, to be attached to the present Tariff bill: then it goes into a conference of three members each from the Senate and House. Finally, the bill must be passed by the House of Representatives. If Senator Cutting can get the proper support, the bill should go through without any trouble, as it has an excellent start gained from its victory in the Senate.