THE UNION'S PAST YEAR

The Union has completed another very successful year and great credit is due to the 1908 Governing Board and officers for this success. During the first few years of its existence, several obstacles were encountered which retarded the progress of the club; but since then improvements have been made and the Union is now on a substantial working basis and is an essential factor in University life today.

The restaurant has been well patronized, due to the fact that every effort has been made to make it pleasant and attractive for its patrons and their guests. The financial result is very good considering that there have been unusual expenses for china, silverware, and linen which have not been offset by any increase in the price of meals.

The active members of the Union at present number 2268--95 more than at a corresponding time last year. Of these 2072 have had their dues charged on their term bills. There are 1078 graduate life members, 78 student life members, 572 associate and 431 non-resident members. making a total of 4427 men who now belong to the Union.

As has been the custom for the past three years, the Class Day Spread has been arranged by the 1909 officers and promises to keep up the good record already established. One of the most delightful events of the whole year is the annual Junior Union Dance which with succeeding classes comes to be recognized more and more as an important social events of the College year.

Two innovations were inaugurated during the past year: the Sophomore class substituted a pop night in the Living Room for the customary class dinner, and the Juniors held their class dinner there instead of in Boston as former classes have done. Both of these events were very successful and should be precedents which succeeding classes will adopt with even greater success.

The lectures and entertainments have been fully up to the high standard set by the 1907 officers and they have been well attended and appreciated by the members of the Union. Among the speakers have been, President Eliot, Senator Albert J. Beveridge, Dr. W.T. Grenfell, Hon. W.H. Langdon, Hon. Joseph H. Choate '52, Rev. H.B. Frissell, General Horace Porter, Winston Churchill and Hon. George A. Hibbard.

The usual quota of mass meetings and pop nights have been held and the Dining Room has been much used for class smokers. About 400 volumes have been added to the library, which now has a total of about 9300 volumes.