War Bond, Stamp Pledge Drive Starts Slowly With First Two Days' Total at $255

The drive for War Bonds and Stamps got off to a halting start Monday as returns trickling in from the Houses indicated last night that Harvard was still lagging far behind the other colleges in the total sales for the first few days.

Largest factor in the reluctance of the students to sign pledges has been a misunderstanding of their purpose. A nation-wide pledge campaign now in progress will provide vital information for the drawing up of the new tax bill, and the War Service Committee, sponsor of the College drive, last night revealed that its final reports would also be sent to the U. S. Treasury.

Figures Disappointing

Results of the first two days of the drive have been disappointing, with only 576 students signing pledges in the House dining halls, making a total of $255 promised. Of this, $151.10 has been already collected. Compared with Yale figures of $597 sold in the first two days, and Princeton results of $750 sold in one day, the Harvard figure is far below par.

Of the seven Houses Leverett has the largest number pledged: 120 students who have promised $50 weekly, all of which has been collected. Eliot, with 103 pledges for $40 worth of bonds and stamps has collected only $9. Adams and Winthrop both have 90 students pledged for $45 and $60 a week; $22 has been collected so far in Adams.

Lowell, Kirkland, Dunster Lag

Lowell, largest of the Houses, but also containing the highest percentage of scholarship men, is next in line with 78 students who have pledged $35 and already paid $25 of this. Kirkland with 55 signed up for $20 every week, has sold its $20 quota and $8 more. Last on the list is Dunster with only 40 students pledged for $25 a week and $18 collected during the two days of the drive.

Brightest prospect for the future is the fact that three days remain this week for the members of the Houses to fill their quotas. The War Service Committee, however, had hoped for a minimum weekly goal of $1000, $845 more than has so far been promised.

Door to Door Canvass

The door to door canvass which is aimed at the students who did not sign pledges in the dining halls on Monday, began last night and will continue until Thursday night when, it is hoped, close to 100 per cent cooperation will have been obtained from the student body.