MORE FRESHMEN AT MEMORIAL.

The Freshman dormitories, which are generally recognized as being of great advantage to the incoming class, will not be ready for the class of 1917, and in place of them for next year there appears to be a partial substitute in the plan of having all Freshmen eat at Memorial. To be sure, this has been possible in years gone by, but it is a curious fact that a great many Freshmen choose other boarding-places from the very beginning of the year and do not even consider Memorial Hall. The CRIMSON has investigated this matter carefully, because it seems important to bring it to the attention of the Freshmen whom it may concern. Of the men from all the boarding-schools that are represented by more than ten men in the class of 1916, only a very small percentage from certain of these schools are eating at Memorial Hall, while the great majority of them board at the Union. The seven schools in question may be divided into two groups: 92 Freshmen come from Andover, Exeter, Middlesex and Milton, and of these 72 per cent have eaten at Memorial for over a month, while 13 per cent have taken their meals at the Union: of the Groton, St. Mark's, and St. Paul's School men, 40 in number, 17 per cent have boarded at Memorial and 73 per cent at the Union. Although the Union is recognized as one of the most important factors in the maintenance of college democracy and should be heartily supported by all the undergraduates, it is obvious that a comparative few can pay $7.50 a week in order to board there. Is it not better that all Freshmen should eat at Memorial where they come in contact with one another and other members of the University three times a day? The great force of this scheme in promoting class unity and college democracy can only be surpassed by the future Freshman dormitories.

One suggestion might be offered as a means towards accomplishing this end. If a few of the leading men in the three upper classes who are graduates of the fore mentioned schools will recommend to the incoming Freshmen through their respective headmasters that they have found it much more advantageous to commence the Freshman year eating at Memorial, it is practically certain that a good many of these Freshmen will follow their advice. It is a plan worth trying, at any rate, and will be another step towards attaining that greater democracy which will be practically perfected with the institution of Freshman dormitories.