Overseers Holding Special Meeting; Naming of Next President Possible

The name of the University's new president will probably be announced at noon today as the result of a special meeting of the Board of Overseers held this morning in University Hall. A meeting of the 30-man Board is required in order to act on the choice made by the Corporation, and the fact of the unscheduled meeting indicates that the six-man group has made its pick.

Late last night Overseers were hurrying to Cambridge from all parts of the nation in order to be present at this morning's crucial and extraordinary meeting. Confirmation of the Corporation's nomince by the Overseers is almost automatic, although in 1868 the naming of President Eliot was delayed for six months by the Overseers.

Although the Overseers may vote to confirm the next president today, they must table the matter for at least a week according to University Statutes. Nevertheless, the president's name may be announced this morning, despite the fact that official confirmation is lacking. This was done in 1933, when President Conant was chosen.

If the traditional procedure is followed, the Overseers will open their meeting by voting to give the Corporation power to elect the next president. The message of this vote will be carried to a near-by room where the Corporation will be in session. The following announcement will then be returned to the Overseers.

"The Harvard Corporation was today given authority by the Board of Overseers to elect, subject to the confirmation of the Board, a president of Harvard College. Acting in this authority the Corporation today elected --------. The Overseers will meet on -------- to act on the confirmation."