New-York tribune., 1903-05-03
"SWJpTNG" SIGNS MUST CEASE AT HARVARD.
SO THE FACULTY SEIZE THE STOLEN TROPHIES IN
ROOllS OF STUDENTS AWAY ON FACTION.

Cambridge Mass, May (SpeciaD-Har-
wards faculty are at war with the undersraou
ates. The war is stolen signboards anu
to say the least, is being waged in PARADOX
cal and unprecedented manner.
students, thou shalt not steal" quoth the
faculty
Faculty. thou art not thyself free from the
charge of theft" retorted many angry under
graduates.
"If thou persistest in stealing" quoth the
faculty 1--WE will wrest thy possessions from
thee, yea, even by force of arms"
And thou hast done So" say the undergrad
yates "Jove grant may find their hiding
place. Surely we will fight with our lifeblood
to return them to our rooms
In plain English Harvard has issued an ulti-
matum against undergraduate pilfering. After
bearing for years the pranks. insults and mis-
demeanors of her naughty children; after suf-
fering in consequence, the criticisms and op-
probrium of the outside world; after having her
own commands and exhortations absolutely
overlooked and dsobeyed, she has. at last de
clared herself in forcible. particular and effec-
tive language against the too common vice OF
"swiping signs"
While the students away from Cambridge
on their Easter vacation, and they could not de-
fend their doors, the faculty stepped in, and in
few minutes stripped from their rooms the
sacred relics in the getting of which they had
risked as some of them say. their lives. their
fortunes and their sacred honor.
Where they conveyed the plunder is not
known. Some say to the basement Of Harvard
Hall: others to a dark and dismal attic in Col
Iege House; others to other places. But no one
knows. All are trying TO find out, not knowing
exactly what will happen If they do. but talking.
as harebrained undergraduates always will.
about raids and "stormings' and other things
which have lately been suggested to their ex-
cited minds
Putting it plainly. however. the undergradu-
ate body is stirred UP the sign matter as
1t has never been before. Even the staid old
Harvard Crmson'-that conservative college
newspa per-has not spared the faculty this
time. In fact, 1t has devoted one Of it's longest
editorials Of the year to the matter. characteriz
ing the faculty's act as decidedly arbitrary
saying that it has rather underhanded
aspect and speaking frankly of the ell feeling
which exists And this is only mild re-
Election Of undergraduate opinion. Harvard
men. somehow. strenuously object to any one
entering their rooms in their absence and
rying away treasures for which, is fire.
quently the case honest coin of the realm was
paid. AS is well known the signboard craze Is
a curious one. Students like to be thought
brave, reckless and daring; and the best way
People come in, glance about and say:
oh Mr. Jones, What a great many nice
boards and things you have! Where did you get
them all? And then Jones, with becoming
modesty explains that this one was carried
away under the eyes Of police court justice;
that three big. burly, ferocous policemen
chased him seventeen blocks to recover that
one; and that third only permanently
secured after two hours fight in which thir-
teen ribs were broken and two innocent students
sent to Jail. "Oh what brave you must
be- all exclaim. and Jones initiates his chest,
thinking to himself what immInse amount
of glory can be purchased with a small amount
of cash.
The same point illustrated recently when
three Harvard men were detected by police
man apparently paking way with some stolen
signs. The servant of the law immediately gav
chase, and, after exciting half mile run capt
ured mis- prey and dragged them, with exulting
pride. before a police court justice After all