Funsters Hit Porters; Want Maid Service

The quality of student porter work dissatisfies most Dunster men, according to a Student Council poll tabulated yesterday. George W. Miller '52 polled over 90 percent of Dunster House last Monday and Tuesday, and will issue a full report some time in February.

About 67 percent thought porters did a worse job than the maids, 20 percent thought they did as well, while 11 percent saw improvement. Two percent failed to answer the poll.

"Disregarding the quality of the work," 65 percent approved of the porter system as a means of student employment. However, 57 percent voted to reestablish maid service next year. Miller admitted these answers seemed to conflict, but said he thought students were differentiating between the theoretical and practical aspects of the problem.

Criticisms ranged around the "degrading social stigma" of the plan, and the porters' "irregularity" and "attitude." Bathroom cleaning, dusty floors, and bed-making were condemned in that order.

Constructive ideas included reducing room rents if the porter system is kept, and reinstating maids if room rents go up. Many commented. "Let us do the work ourselves."

Arthur D. Trottenberg '48, operating manager of the Houses, warned last night that "it is too early to tell" whether porters are cheaper than maids.