Fiscal Fiasco

The great job is done. Harvard can sit back and take a long breath after its magnificent showing in doing its share for the war effort. All of thirty-five per cent of the student body is pledged to buy war bonds and stamps. At Yale ninety-eight per cent have pledged, and at Princeton, not fully under the pledge system, $8000 has been raised in three successive drives.

Perhaps Harvard students don't know a war is on; or, if they do, they think the Russians can win it alone. Simply because some men are allowed to go on with their college education in the midst of total war is no indication that they are excused from imperative civilian sacrifices. They are given the privilege of staying at college while so many others must immediately go to the fighting fronts. No special rights or immunities are given them that are not granted to other civilians. Yet Harvard can muster only thirty-five per cent of its undergraduates to make the colossal sacrifice of a quarter a week.

Contrary to rumors, there is no compulsion in any pledge. Whenever a weekly pledge can't be met no special agent will show up at the door. The idea is simply to raise as much money as possible for the war pool. It is the cheapest and easiest sacrifice the Government has asked. The nation is giving nearly ten per cent of its earnings to war bonds, but Harvard, with over 2500 students, can't even boast one-half its modest goal of $1000 a week. If Harvard is to take its place in the civilian offensive, everyone, not just the next person, must contribute.