Smoker Future Unsure As Criticism Increases

The life of the present Freshman Smoker may come to a sudden halt this year, for increased student as well as Administrative sentiment seems to indicate that the 1956-type Smoker is no longer deemed necessary to freshman life.

This Winter extravaganza, which has varied from quiet speeches by University leaders in the past, to the pure sex of Boston entertainers in recent years, is now opposed by members of the Union Committee, the Student Council, and the Administration.

In addition to its general "un-Harvard" beer-slinging atmosphere, the annual event has lost the Class money. This year, not only was one freshman knocked unconscious after "slipping on some spilled beer," but the affair lost $250, of which one hundred was lent to the Smoker Committee by the Student Council.

Two Schools of Thought

There seems to be two schools of thought about the Smoker: One group appears to feel that the Smoker is a good idea, but needs certain modifications; the other group is for abolishing it altogether.

The Union Committee, at its last meeting, was asked to consider the "general boorishness" of the Smoker, and each member was asked to write a few paragraphs on the subject. There are strong indications that the Committee will make some definite recommendations within two weeks.

R. Haney Scott 3G, secretary of the Union, said last night the Smoker "isn't so bad that it has to be abolished, but it should be changed." He believed that the Smoker "has justification, in relieving tension," but he advocated a revised Smoker be held in the first week of the second term instead of in March.

Paul L. Scher '57, will bring the subject to the Student Council's attention tonight.