Varsity Club Porter Recalls When Seniors "High-Hatted" Freshmen With Crusts and Plates--Rowdies Blew Relic Up

"In past years Harvard men were much more snobbish than they are now, although some of them are still pretty bad" is the opinion of T. J. Phelps, the white haired porter in the Varsity Club, divulged to a CRIMSON reporter with some hesitation. Mr. Phelps has been steward of the Varsity Club for the past 22 years. This year he bears the title of porter of that same organization.

"Not so many years ago," he continued, "the Seniors here at Harvard would not even speak to the Freshmen, and as for looking at them, that was unheard of. Why, I remember when the Freshmen even stepped off the narrow side-walks in order to let Seniors pass. Do you think they would do that now? If so, you don't know the younger generation. I shall never forget how the poor Freshmen used to be treated down at Red Top (you know I have been steward down there ever since I have been connected with the Varsity Club). The players on the team would have nothing to do with the Freshmen even when they were living constantly with them. The first year men were not allowed to approach the University training table, and if, occasionally, one straggled by, he immediately received a barrage of every-thing from bread crusts to plates from the upperclassmen. There is quite a contrast now down there. The Freshmen are treated with the same attention and respect as the Seniors, and consequently everybody down there has a better time."

Commenting on athletes and athletics, Mr. Phelps said, 'I think the class known as athletes has greatly improved during the past 15 years. Now the good athletes are good fellows as well."

Mr. Phelps's attention was attracted to a picture of the College pump on the wall of his office. "The only good relic of past times left to us," be remarked. "It is too bad that some rowdies had to blow it up."