MAIL

(Ed. Note--The Crimson does not necessarily endorse opinions expressed in printed communications. No attention will be paid to anonymous letters and only under special conditions, at the request of the writer, will names be withheld. Only letters under 400 words can be printed because of space limitations.)

To the Editor of the Crimson:

The author of the communication in yesterday's Crimson expressed the opinion that the plan of the Harvard Committee for Refugees was "laudable" but "short-sighted and unintelligent." His suggestion was that the fund should be used for the daily needs of a great number of refugees, rather than for the education of 20 selected students, for whom "higher education is a luxury."

It seems to me that he is forgetting the spirit of this movement, for the hope is that many other educational institutions will follow Harvard's lead, and if this comes to pass, then a large proportion of the refugees will be given both their daily needs and a fair opportunity to assimilate themselves into American life and to become useful citizens. Everyone recognizes that the refugees must be provided for, but is it not better to do it by intelligent planning than by carting them over here and dumping them in the slums? Education for them is not a luxury, but a necessity. Gene Keith '42.