The Scrimmage Around the Tree.

Editor of the Crimson:

DEAR SIR: - At the suggestion of the '95 Class Day Committee, I send you the following letter, trusting that its publication will help a little in obtaining a large representation of the senior class at the Tree exercises on Class Day.

For several years too few men have entered the fight at the Tree, and the old cry of "Harvard indifference," which those of us familiar with Harvard life know to be as untrue as it is demoralizing, has been heard in this new field. Too many men have gone to the Tree with friends, or for some other reason have failed to march in with their class and the "Wild ring about the Liberty Tree," which Longfellow mentioned in his Journal on Class Day, 1846, is in danger of being not much larger in the number of participants than it was 50 years ago. This tendency has greatly disappointed the alumni; and those of us who have been connected with the management of Class Days know how many queries there have been asking the reason for the small classes at the Tree.

Every man in '95 ought to enter the Tree enclosure dressed in a football suit, or in some similarly appropriate outfit, whether he intends to go into the fight or not. He owes at least so much to himself, to his class and to Harvard. There is nothing more unique or more picturesque in American college life than the struggle for the flowers on Class Day. Harvard men everywhere are proud of it and they like to see the old traditions honored each year by the seniors. It is not a personal fight and there is no danger to limb or feature. It is a good natured tussle for mementos of Class Day, and it is the last time the seniors ever assemble as undergraduates. It is very satisfactory to note that the recently established practice of having the grand Harvard cheer by all the undergraduates and graduates, is to be continued. Probably no cheer like it marks any other college festival in the United States.

Certainly '95 can be trusted to check this tendency towards small gatherings at the Tree. There ought to be at least 350 men in football suits, and only the First Marshal and the three members of the Class Day Committee should wear caps and gowns. This matter has given much worry to previous committees, and I know that Arthur R. Crandell '92, Frank W. Hallowell '93, and Russell B. Beals '94, chairmen of the respective Class Day Committees, and all graduates who wish to see this annual celebration the gayest and jolliest college holiday in America will heartily endorse all that I have said about the desirability of having every man in the lock-step line about the tree.

Very sincerely yours,F. ROY MARTIN,Manager of '93 and '94 Class Days.