ACTION!

During the past decade, it has been supposed, the authorities have been getting possession of real estate between the Yard and the Charles with the express intention of turning this rather miscellaneous region toward the development of the college. As buildings and land have been offered for sale, they have been bought with this particular purpose in view. It seemed that the extension of college building over all the property between the freshman dormitories and Massachusetts avenue was assured as a logical and inevitable step.

This assurance that the authorities were providing for the future left the college quite unprepared for the starting announcement that a ten story hotel is to be erected in the very heart of the district. The area which was to be devoted exclusively to Harvard needs is to be invaded by a commercial and family hotel. That this hotel will be a profitable venture is quite certain, for it will be the only hotel in the neighborhood and on a much traveled highway to the west and north. Perhaps the authorities felt that they could not compete with hotel developers for the purchase of the site. But if they look into the future, they must see their plans for expansion disrupted, and the future of the university distorted by a non-college building in its very midst.

If a hotel is necessary, let it find a lot near the river. As a convenience, it would be much appreciated; but the "Gold Coast" must be kept for Harvard. The builder of the hotel is willing to sell the lot on reasonable terms; the student body is unanimous in insisting that such an alien building must not be planted in the path of expansion. The University awaits prompt and vigorous action by the planning board and by the authorities.