The sun., 1901-06-02
HARVARD CONFINEMENT DINNER.
A Class secretarys Reasons for wishing II
Abolished.

To TEE FpIroR or THE SUN-Sir: The
writer Of the editorial article In your issue OF
NAV 20 on the subject OF the proposed abo-
ltion OF commencement dinner at Harvard
College takes 1t for granted that the advo-
Gates Of the change are willing that the grad
yates who have come back to Cambridge
for that day should 60 without food from
breakfast until late at night.
1t is true that the matter OF the abolition
of the dinner is under discussion. and for the
following reasons: The immense increase
In size Of the classes in the last fifteen years
makes IL absolutely impossible for any but a
small proportion Of the graduates present
at commencement cay to be at this dinner.
The fact that the dining hall has been in use
for many years as a restaurant has made 1t
an unpleasant place for a great crowd on a
summers day. Its acoustic properties are
not good and 1t is impossible TO serve a good
dinner under the circumstances.
1t is, therefore. suggested that each class
secretary provide a substantial luncheon.
with good things TO eat and drink. for the
members Of his class In the class room.
Glasses more than fifty years out of college
are already entertained on that day and the
Chief Marshal gives a spread to which he
invites tho benefactors. members Of the
governing boards and faculties. distinguished
visitors, the class twenty-five years out Of
college and such other gentlemen as he
may select, and as matter Of fact. to-day at
most OF the class rooms substantial luncneon
IS served. with something more exhllaratlng
10 drink than lemonade and ApollinaTis, for
ONLY punches and distilled liquors are Tor
hidden In college rooms on commencement
day. and II would be very easy for the rest of
the classes 10 give similar entertainments,
IL IL he true that not even Mr., Jos. ph Ill:
Choate can make a. speech without, tepld
meats and salads and strawberries and cream
and coffee served In an ironware pitcher
TO fall back upon. then II may be necessary
10 retain tho commencement dinners; put
II that procession Of graduates, after being
handsomely entertained m the different
class rooms or at the marshaFs spread, can
eo 10 hear good speeches from the President
Of tho alumni and OF the college and from
other distinguished guests IN comfortahle.
wovent,atsd ro9m my Sr s4GUa sIsy GOH bs
and bo compelled 10 look at an unlovely
-ieast" which they do rot wish 10 eat and TO
The speeches after the class spreads" will
be after dinner speeches, though the dinner
has been served in sections.
| admit that It would be better TO keep mp
every old custom, but IL seems to me that tho
commencement dinner can no long he
upon It's rolls a. does Harvard tIiia c,os. s.ro
taries has brought other matters M for dis
Cussion with the other alumni, The close
Of the wear az Harvard might be rendered
still more interesting II there were not tue
loug zap between class day and commence
ment dav, So that graduates returning could
20 to the Yale bali game, c'ass da.' and COM
menccmant day, without losing more than
two DAYS ard II is further believed that the
enclosing Of the yard and the engaging Of a
hours would make the occasion more private
and pleasant, JOHN i. WuEELwnuHr,
Secretary Of the Class OF 1879.
BOeToN, May q.