LARGE TURNOUT AT FIRST 1941 GRID PRACTICE

Harlow protege Neil (Skip) Stahley was on hand at Soldiers Field yesterday afternoon to receive 111 Freshman football candidates who will attempt to break the jinx that has stalked the Harvard Freshman teams of the last few years.

The fact that this fall's turnout was larger by ten than that of last year may be a predicting gesture that the tide in once more coming in. At any rate for two hours yesterday head Freshman Coach Stahley, aided by line coach, Latta Macray, and backfield coach, George Hedblom, conducted the first practice of the 1941 season.

The session consisted of instruction in fundamentals, with the large group split at random into line and backfield units. Linemen accustomed themselves again to the feel of driving cleats in the ground, and backs crouched, unfolded and pivoted, while coaches watched foot and shoulders. Some passing was done, while ends and halfbacks waited their turn to run out to respective rights and lefts for long passes, and diagonally across for short snap deliveries.

Coach Stahley declined to comment on season prospects based on yesterday's performances, explaining that a fair opinion could not be formed at this early date. He emphasized, however, that there are still uniform in the Dillon Field House for candidates to fill. Stahley declared that by the middle of next week he would have a better picture of what he has to work with in the next two months. He plans to conduct the first light scrimmage about Thursday.

Among these on the field yesterday that displayed some inkling of their ability was the blond 175-pound Charles Burnett, brother of Bob Burnett on the Varsity. A star at St. Mark's last year, Burnett is a good strong kicker, and an accurate passer. Yesterday his punts were consistently well placed and in the vicinity of fifty yards.

The familiar name of Gaffney appears among the list of guards. Thomas M. Gaffney, brother to Captain Jim Gaffney of last year's Varsity, weighs in from Governor Dummer at 165 pounds. From Exeter comes Thomas Lacey, who played a good and improving guard for his school last year.