For the seventh time in its 68 year history the Stanford Axe has illegally changed hands. According to the Stanford Police Department, the Axe was removed from its display case in Tresidder Union at 6:05 a.m. Friday morning.

It has not been seen since.

Inmediate campus reaction was varied, but those students who cared at all tended to blame Cal for the theft. Indications are, however, that Cal was neither responsible nor involved.

According to the Police Department, the wooden frame covering the display case was removed allowing the culprit to open the case without breaking the glass. The case is protected by an alarm which rings in the fire house, but the frame is not. The frame is attached to the case by soft bolts which are cut off after being inserted, must be bored out for removal.

The intimate knowledge of the workings of the case, the apparent coolness of the thief, and the inability to come up with any leads has caused many Stanfordites to surmise that the theft was an inside job.

Mike Collins, ASSU President, told the Daily "I once plonned to steal the Axe myself. I came up with a plan so full proof that I didn't bother. The method used is almost identical to my plan. A working knowledge of the case was a must."

The alternative to the theft being an inside job is that a third party did the deed. Many students hope that such is the case. James Briscoe told the Daily, "I hope an outsider did it and we never see the thing again."

Some students did not care who did it, but were visibly upset that the Axe was gone. Bill Stone, ASSU Vice-President, said, "This attack would be inadmissable in any civilized society; within a university it is incredible."

Terry Murphy, ASSU Financial Manager, said, "Fantastic! Now we won't have to pay the insurance on the thing!" One unidentified student remarked, "I'm glad Cal's got it. Let them worry about protecting it."

University officialdom was silent about the incident. Dean Smith had said "no comment," and President Sterling was unavailable. Mr. Glover, Assistant to President Sterling said, "No comment on the Axe story will be given out today." Part of the administration's reluctance to comment may be the result of an agreement between Stanford and Cal which makes the Axe the official trophy and provides for the suspension of any student who attempts to steal it.

At the moment prospects for recovering the Axe do not appear bright. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office have uncovered no clues as to the identity of the thief. The Immortal 21 have long since departed. Soto House, this year's active traditionalists have no idea where to start.

All trails lead nowhere, but those students who are truly concerned about the fate of the Axe are still hopeful. Bill Stone commented, "The only thing we have that's anything like the Immortal 21 these days is probably the Committee of 15. Perhaps this is their big chance for immortality."

In any event the Axe is gone. In the past it has always been located before Big Game. "It's a long, long time from now 'til November."