FRESHMEN AT THE TREE.

EDITORS HARVARD HERALD: Although the year is nearing its end, the senior class have as yet made no arrangements about admitting freshmen to the exercises around the tree on class day. Last year this subject was agitated somewhat, and gave rise to some very weak actions on the part of the senior class. The arrangement at that time was that the freshman class were to be excluded from the tree unless they won a game of base-ball with Yale. This arrangement is a similar one to the "fence" plan at Yale. But the propriety of such a rule here is much more evident than is the case at Yale. For although there is probably plenty of the "fence" about the grounds in New Haven to accommodate all the freshmen who wish to "pipe their tuneful lays," there is not enough ground about the tree to admit of the exercises being carried through successfully. This year there are almost a hundred more men than last year in college who have a right to go to the tree, and it is probable that in time the classes will grow still larger. That a change must be made sooner or later is evident. The question naturally arises as to who must suffer. The choice lies between the graduates and the freshmen. But to exclude the former would be a lifelong matter, as a man always remains a graduate when once he has attained that position, while a freshman passes usually through that stage in a year; so that it seems better for the freshmen to yield. The proviso can be made that in case they win the Yale game the upper class men are willing to suffer the additional discomfort of the crowding at the tree that will come from their presence there. But the trouble last year arose from the indecision of the senior class. At first the regulations were passed and afterwards rescinded, so that the question remained unsettled, as '82 was unwilling to incur what little responsibility might arise from such action. If anything is to be done this year it should be done very soon to preclude any complaints about the lateness of action. At any rate, some different arrangements must be made in regard to the graduates. At present a number of persons go in with the graduates, who have never had anything to do with the college. The best way to prevent this would be some arrangement by which the graduates could obtain tickets beforehand if they apply in person for them.

R.