Parody Paper Fools Fans

A parody of the Yale Daily News proclaiming "Kennedy to Attend Game Today" and a supporting trick by the Harvard Band left New Haven football fans wondering even many hours after the game whether or not the President had been in their midst this weekend.

The eight-page parody, reportedly published by a Cambridge newspaper, said that the President and Mrs. Kennedy would arrive at the New Haven airport Saturday morning and then sit on the Harvard side at the traditional game.

CRIMSON editors distributed 2500 copies of the bogus News door-to-door in Yale dormitories before being nabbed, one by one, by Yale police. The officers confiscated another 2500 copies, but returned them after the game.

Plainclothesmen with walkie-talkies closed in on the Crimeds' early morning operations, but the first man they caught had a Yale bursar's card and was able to convince the police that the parody was actually a genuine "Yalie Dailie." It was not until several minutes after he had left their office that the police realized their mistake and set out after the offender and his colleagues.

Meanwhile, an additional 1500 parodies were on their way from Cambridge for distribution at the Bowl in the afternoon.

Some sleepy-eyed Yalles made plans to greet Kennedy at the airport, but discovered the hoax after close examination of the "News." New Haven residents called the airport, and the New Haven Register said that it was forced to publish a bulletin disclaiming the rumored visit in a later edition.

Before the game at the Bowl, a Harvard Band member announced on the public address system. "We have definite word that the President will attend the game today." The Band played its regular Yale Medley for the home side and then played "Hail To The Chief" before the Harvard fans. Exclaimed the Yale Band leader, "He's coming!"

Out marched a Kennedy impersonator, a Naval aide, and three Secret Service men. After "Kennedy" waved to the 60,000 fans (some of whom cheered, others of whom laughed, all of whom stood up to see what was going on), the public address announce said. "The President--of the Harvard CRIMSON," and the imposter removed his Kennedy face mask.

Still, some fans in the Bowl were convinced that Kennedy was in the stands somewhere, and a Boston radio station said after the game. "There goes the President out of the Row now."

A limited supply of Yale News parodies is available today at the CRIMSON.