New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-03
BARvARDs PRESIDENT on ATHLETICS.
IIE TAKES Up TIE EVILS OF EXCESSIVE IhAlN-
Nc-How A STEEL BANK OF SEATS
spo1IFD A LABORATORY'S WORK.


INc+How STEEL BANK OF SEATS
SPOILED A LABoRATORY's WORK.
y,o, Fob . (snec,aD-The following are the
most striking sentences in that part OF tho an
nual report Of President Charles w Eho'' just
issued which deals with athletics: III Is very ui-
likely that student who takes an active part IN
athletic sports can win good standing az scholar
but on the other hand, a smaller proportion OF the
athletes get put on probation at Harvard College
than OF other students This remark Is not true
of scientific students. The evil OF excessive tram
ing has not been cured. The baseball team OF last
spring was distinctly overworked. and hah the
crew gave out in the fourme race. In all prob
ability the nervous strain resulting from prolonged
training. many exciting contests and an anxious
sense OF responsibility has not been sufficiently con-
sidered. The of Holmes Field for games at
tended by throngs of spectators was permitted by
the corporation for the last time in the spring Of
1891 Two long banks OF seats. with steel frames
erected temporarily on Holmes Field. but
removed in the summer to Soldiers Field
one OF these banks. situated on the south side Of
the track, caused temporary variation In the IN
,ensity OF the magnetic ield in the Jefferson Physi-
cal Laboratory. which was so disturbing that II
would not have been possible. with the due regard
the proper work Of the laboratory. TO keep such
a steel bank on Holmes Field The Committee on
the Regulation Of Athletic Sports gabe much at en-
ton OF the rules governing athletics Almost every
one Of these regulations has been discussed and
was at first resisted 10 the utmost by the main
body OF the graduates. They have gradually been
adopted, at least paper. by the leading Eastern
colleges and universities and at present they com
mend themselves generally to the well-informed
friends OF intercollegiate athletics"
In his report or other matters tho president eug
gests that reasons have appeared for making il ad
visable TO confer degrees twice a year. instead OF
once year, as at present. This would enable men
who have completed the requisite amount of work
by the mdyears 10 get credit for It 1T once and o
spend the remainder Of the year in private study
recreation travel. to obtain employment
which would be less easily found during the
mer and autumn.
Some light Is thrown the proposed ALI
ance of the Massachusetts, Institute of Technology
with Harvard University bv the publication Of votes
Of the corporation formally inviting the Institute
10 a conference on this subject. No definite agree
ment however. appears TO have been reached as
yet though Harvard has expressed its readiness 10
make such modification IN Its technical depart
ments may be necessary TO bring about the
alliance
TIE report shows the great necessity for an In
creased endowment for the benefit of all depart
meuts. The Law School VIII have to be enlarged in
the near future, and the removal of the Medical
School q new location and the erection OF a hos
pital adjunct 10 II. suggested as Of great
necessity In general. the University may be said
10 be as prosperous a. could possibly be hoped for
under present circumstances. the maintenance OF
a higher standard Of scholarship having caused no
decrease in the attendance in the graduate de-
p3rrments.