Union Committee Approves Report Criticizing Smokers

The Freshman Union Committee last night overrode objections that the report of its Smoker Evaluation Committee failed to represent class sentiment, and accepted the report, 22 to 3.

The report urged abolition of the Smoker if the proposed vacation between terms passes the Faculty and Corporation. This vacation would be supplemented by a class function in the fall. Should the vacation plan be rejected, however, the report approves a modified, toned down, Smoker.

Members of both the Union Committee and the Student Council objected to the report, because, they charged, the recommendations did not accurately reflect the feelings expressed in a survey of Yard entries. This survey, conducted by Union Committee representatives in their own entries, was included in the report.

Of 26 entries surveyed, 11 reported clear majorities favoring the Smoker in its present form, nine supported a modified Smoker, and only one recommended abolition of the function. The other five were undecided. The between-terms vacation was not, however, listed as a possible alternative to the Smoker.

Modifications

Suggested modifications included limiting the supply of beer, banning female entertainment, stricter supervision by police, serving beer at tables, and having freshmen bring girls. Most of these recommendations were adopted by the Evaluation Committee in its outline of a "toned down" Smoker.

Opponents of the plan asserted that these results did not constitute class authorization, but some committee members declared that the Union Committee might make a wiser decision than the class. "Even if over half the class votes for Smoker, we don't have to have one," said one Committeeman, because those favoring one "have not thought about it fully."