Communication

The Crimson invites all men in the University to submit signed communications of timely interest. It assumes no responsibility, however, for sentiments expressed under this head and reserves the right to exclude any whose publication would be palpably inappropriate.

To the Editors of the CRIMSON:

Among the questions which will come up for decision, with the resumption of more normal times in the college life, must be that difficult and perplexing problem of the Union; a subject which already has called forth much discussion, much argument, but the minimum of action towards the definite achievement of placing that institution in the position which it should hold in the University.

As a place for holding mass meetings, smokers, class dinners, and for hearing prominent speakers and lecturers, the Union's large Living Room has proved exceptionally adequate; as a social club for the entire University, the Union has never succeeded. Its Dining Room has seldom been crowded, and its Library, which comprises some 13,000 volumes, has been unappreciated quite out of proportion to its scope. Even the college papers, which have maintained offices in the building, have gradually deserted their former haunts, preferring, no doubt, an atmosphere less heavily surcharged with the musty odor characteristic of disuse.

Yet, each new vice-president and secretary have struggled with the increasing difficulties until completely overwhelmed with their enormity; their cries for help have echoed in the empty rooms, and have penetrated into the Yard and the various dormitories. But the ears of the collegiate body and of the authorities have failed to catch the cogent demand of the tones. No assurances of aid, at any rate, had arrived in April, 1917.

The suggested remedies and the supposed defects, as worked out by these undergraduate officials, would fill a formidable volume. Compulsory membership was considered in 1916 as the most likely cure, as yet proposed, and its adoption was strongly urged upon the college authorities. Here, as in all other recommendations, cognizance had to be taken of the chief stumbling block--the insufficiency of attractive features as a means of fostering interest in the Union. The proverbial horse might be whipped, in a sense, to the trough of water, but he could not be forced to drink from that receptacle. In compelling each member of the University to join the Union by placing the tax on his term bill, additional revenue would be assured unquestionably. It would not follow, however, that the Union's popularity as a University Club would be enhanced by the procedure. The something which would establish the prestige of the organization as possessing advantages peculiar to itself, and distinct from college gathering places in general, must constitute the basis of its appeal.

To the writer who was the last vice-president, elected on the eve of war, a possible plan of action presents itself: the formation of a committee of five or six of the most representative undergraduates plus one or two Faculty members, delegated with authority to work out the future policy of the Union and with power to control the operation thereof. Not only would such a body have considerably more effectiveness and weight in executing its projects than the two undergraduates who have been elected annually to the vice-presidency and secretaryship in the past, but it would also have at first hand a more diverse range of opinion and broader vision.

The method of attack would be wisely left to the choice of the committee, but considerations are suggested along these lines: (1) a thorough study of similar institutions in other colleges, dealing particularly with their successes and failures, their financial status, and their basis of popularity, and from this data, the derivation of an application to our own problem; and then (2) a campaign to gain the widespread interest in the Union, the popularity, which will be its sustaining power. This would mean more entertainments of general appeal, better eating arrangements; in short, more comprehensive adaptability to the social needs of the College as a whole, whatever they may be.

It would seem that the time has come for a final attempt to right conditions definitely or, the alternative, a frank admission that we cannot succeed with what we have. The danger of the situation lies in the passive acceptance of failure.  D. M. LITTLE, JR., '18