TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

A good deal of inquiry has arisen during the past few weeks over the relation of the "Crimson" to the H-Y-P Conference of Public Affairs. From certain members of the Faculty comes the cry that we should invite students in the graduate schools. From individuals in the graduate schools comes the criticism that the discussion matter is too general. And from members of the undergraduate body we receive recurrent hints that the "Crimson" is running the whole show purely as a publicity stunt. The "Crimson" is anxious to make its position in the Conference clear.

In the first place it should be understood that the Conference has been framed from the point of view of the College undergraduates. Editors of the undergraduate dailies take part only to the extent necessary for organization. It can readily be seen that the undergraduates as a nebulous mass would be unable to assemble any such group as the Conference will draw, and it is for this purpose alone that the "Crimson" has taken the initiative at Harvard.

Since the Conference is distinctly an undergraduate affair, and since it must necessarily be limited in size to preserve the personal contact with its eminent guests,--the chief objective of the whole idea,--it is quite obvious that there will be no surplus room at the round tables for graduate students. Furthermore, contrary to the suggestions of graduate students, the discussion material of the Conference cannot be too technical if it is going to be of any use to the average undergraduate.

Of the total representation, Harvard, of course, can only provide one-third. A majority of the Harvard quota will be filled with undergraduates exclusive of "Crimson" editors, and this fact alone should eliminate any fear of prospective attendants and Faculty that they will be "frozen out" by publicity-hunting gentlemen of the press. In many ways the H-Y-P Conference is unique in the advantage it offers to the interested undergraduate. It provides him with the chance to meet a highly representative cross-section of the leaders of our country. In digesting their empirical ideas he is better able to estimate the real worth of his studies in the social sciences. And there is no limit to the satisfaction of seeing his own instructors put to task at defending their own convictions against scholars and public figures of opposing views.

It is our object to make the point clear that the H-Y-P Conference on Public Affairs is not a monopoly of the "Crimson", or the undergraduate dailies, but primarily an undergraduate function. First-rate speakers have been selected to attend the tables, and money to finance the various expenses has been adequately supplied by generous alumni. The success of the Conference now lies in the undergraduates who take advantage of their opportunity.