Harvard has been Cambridge's guest for over three hundred years. During this period Cambridge has grown into a modern, industrial city completely hemming in the University that once dominated it. And the relationship between city and college-"town and gown" some would have it-has changed too.

It changed somewhat with the immigration of a diverse population and the machines by which that population earned its living. From a relation of equals to equals, Harvard graduate to Harvard student, it became a relationship between "townies" and the residents of the Gold Coast. A new, later era brought with it battles between the City Council and the University. It saw one group of City legislators threaten to cut Harvard off from Cambridge entirely and another, earlier Council argue over the University's tax exemption.

Those are the only items that make the front pages, however. There is another part of the story seldom set in type. Otherwise City Manager John B. Atkinson could hardly say, as he does, "I think we enjoy a rather pleasant relationship," while his Council is debating the Reducators list at the other end of City Hall.

The University's employees and its students have given to Cambridge as well as taken away. While the University remains tax exempt, for example, it still pays the third highest revenue bill in the City. The system of government under which Cambridge now operates is a result of the activity of Harvard men, professors, and students alike. Plan E-a city manager government with proportional representation-has made city government better than before; yet its birth was marked by the last and the bitterest fights Cambridge and Harvard have ever had.

In 1938, the Cambridge City Council unanimously passed an order, presented by Councillor John Toomey, that the City file an appropriation with the State legislature to incorporate Harvard University as a separate municipality with full power to hold elections and appropriate money for municipal services.

The battle started over the activities of James M. Landis, dean of the Law School. At the time, he was carrying on a strong campaign to install Plan E in Cambridge. During this campaign, he attacked the City Council as a "gang of cheap politicians." When the Council demanded an apology Landis refused. He stated that "if any apology is needed, it should be one from the Council to the people of Cambridge."

Considered Secession

The politicians identified Harvard with Landis and the entire Plan E movement. President of the City Council Thomas M. MacNamara said that "it is Harvard's scheme to make their Plan E Cambridge's Plan E. They are willing to accept everything and give nothing."

Some faculty members seriously considered seceding from the city. Before entering a meeting with President Conant, James A. McLaughlin, professor of Law, told reporters that he thought it would be a "good thing if Harvard were segregated from the City."

President Conant decided to ignore the affair, but the student body didn't. It immediately held a plebescite, conducted victory parades through Harvard Square, and established an impassible boundary for the Republic of Harvard.

Cambridge police became irate when some student border guards would not let citizens cross the mythical line. Armed with tear gas bombs and hand grenades, the police repulsed the students. And the matter ended there.

When Plan E finally got to the polls in November, it failed by 1000 votes. Not until 1940 was Plan E accepted by the voters of Cambridge.

Relations Improved

Since then, the city's relations with the University have improved. One reason is that the city manager is more powerful than the former mayor; independent of the electorate, he can carry on relations almost as he pleases. John B. Atkinson, who has held the post since the installation of this form of government, says, "it is the kind of men elected under Plan E, rather than the system, which has bettered relationships." He points out the high number of college graduates on the Council and School Board, including four men with Harvard degrees.

One reason for many of the improvements the Council has made in the past ten years has been the Cambridge Civic Association. This non-partisan voters' organizations, headed by Donald Spencer '26, has pressured the legislators year after year to put through school improvements and appoint better men to the government. This good government has proved an asset to the University and its students.