THE UNION IN THE PAST YEAR

The Harvard Union was founded only four years ago, yet within a single College generation its activity has become so interwoven with the interests of the University that we wonder how former generations of Harvard men ever got on without a Harvard Union. During the past year, the Union has aimed to embrace and centralize practically every phase of College life.

At first the idea seemed to be to make the Union a great social club, modelled on the private clubs already existing, only more open and non-exclusive. But it was soon discovered that this was not its function; its membership was not sufficiently cohesive the common bond was not strong enough for its size and heterogeneousness. However, we were not satisfied to make the Union a mere meeting place for mass meetings, class smokers, debating clubs, committees and various other bodies. We wished to make it the great "hearth-stone of Harvard," a great centralizing force which should form all the varied activities and interests of our college world.

This has been the policy this year. To this end, some changes have been made, and new projects have been tried with marked success. The entertainments have been of a lighter character, and distinct from the lectures. The jiu-jutsu exhibition, Keith's performers. "The Old Kentucky Minstrels," The Shakesperean Recital, and the concert by graduates were all attended by enthusiastic audiences. Lectures were given by Hon. Seth Low on "A College Man's Influence in City Politics," by Samuel Gompers on "Organized Labor," by Dr. Grenfell on "Labrador," and by A. K. Peck on "The Life Saving Service of the U. S." The last two lectures were illustrated by stereopticon views. A series of lectures on the professions proved to be a very successful innovation; the speakers and their subjects were: J. G. Milburn on "Law," Dr. J. C. Warren on "Medicine," Rev. Henry Van Dyke on "The Ministry," Rev. Endicott Peabody on "Teaching," G. S. Rice on "Engineering," and T. A. Richard on the "Life and Opportunity of a Mining Engineer."

This year a series of "pop concerts" was held in the Union. Once each month the members of the Union filled to overflowing the Living Room, and led by the University Orchestra, sang the songs familiar to all Harvard men. Light refreshments were served and the songs were interspersed with hearty cheers. These "pop concerts" should be a permanent feature at the Union.

Another innovation was the Junior Dance. This was one of the greatest successes of the year. Great credit is due to the committee which managed the dance so successfully, and showed to what possibilities the Union was open on this side of our social life. This idea has been extended to the Class Day festivities. The Class Day Spread and Dance in the Union is not only a pleasure in itself the Union being particularly adapted for such a function, but it will also greatly relieve the usually overcrowded condition of Memorial Hall and Hemenway Gymnasium on Class Day.

On Commencement Day a luncheon for President Roosevelt will be held in the Union.

As the great and varied usefulness of the Union dawns upon us, its position as an essential part of the University is more and more assured. This year the Corporation has decided to put the membership dues, which are nominal, on the regular term bill. This has long been desired by the undergraduates, and now every undergraduate ought to respond to the spirit in which Major Higginson gave us this great gift, and feel that the place where all Harvard men can come together on terms of absolute equality and brotherhood is the place in which all Harvard men should have a part.