Communication

[We invite all men in the University to submi communications on subjects of timely interest. The CRIMSON is not, however, responsible for the sentiments expressed in such communications as may be printed.]

To the Editors of the CRIMSON:

At the annual meeting of the Randall Hall Association last Wednesday there was proposed an amendment to the constitution making ineligible for election to the Board of Directors all employees of the Hall.

President G. G. Smith favored most strongly this amendment, and in a printed slip distributed the day before the meeting urged its adoption. He pointed out that it is the duty of the Board of Directors to appoint employees, fix their pay, and criticise and direct their work; and that for any employee to have a part in his own appointment, in the fixing of his own pay, and in the criticism and direction of his own work, must often make free discussion of such questions by the Board impossible, and even an unbiased vote by no means easy. Out of the fifteen members which compose this board, there were in 1904 six who were employes of the Hall, in 1905 seven, and in 1906 three. Mr. Smith asserted that twice during these three years this fact had to his knowledge materially affected the action of the Board.

There were present at the meeting no more than a hundred voters, scarcely a tenth of the members of the Association; and of this hundred fully half were employes. Before this supposedly representative body the amendment was read, and several men corroborated the testimony of Mr. Smith, and pointed out that it is as unfitting that waiters should also be directors, as that one who is bidding for a building contract should be himself a member of the building committee, or that teachers should be on the school board that employs them. A waiter may make an excellent director, as a teacher may make an excellent member of the school committee, but in either case it is inexpedient, in view of the possible complications, that the same man should act in both capacities. This amendment was nevertheless voted down; not a single employe, so far as is known, favoring it. The members of Randall Hall should consider seriously whether this vote truly represents their will, and if it does not, they should see to it that the next vote on the subject shall. H. J. RICE 1L.