THE UNDERGRADUATE CHAIR

The year on the calendar has very definitely turned into spring, but as a matter of fact the traditionally enjoyable spring weather of Hanover has kept very much in the background to date. The snow left very slowly, being reinforced by slight storms as late as April 18; and, though the activities of the campus indicate the return to fair weather, the temperature has hovered around the zero point for these days immediately preceding going to press.

Spring suppers have started for the senior class, election of 1929 men for the managership competitions has been announced, the second round of hour examinations is under way, TheDartmouth has again changed hands, fraternity open houses are on the second lap, outdoor practice has been had once by the track team—but, with it all, the baseball team has been restricted to the cage by the cold winds.

The weather, as well, has had a very chilling effect on the picture-fight discussion. Not much enthusiasm can be worked up in the lower classes, despite the efforts of some strong proponents of the fight.

Carl Elias Strouse '27 of Philadelphia, Pa., the new Editor-in-Chief of The Dartmouth has come out for the picture fight and is now carrying on a discussion concerning it in the editorial column. The opening shot read as follows :

"We have watched the struggle over the Picture Fight for two years. During its freshman year, the Class of 1927, owing to the action taken by the Class of 1926, did not participate in a picture fight. As a sophomore organization, the Class of 1927 placed itself on record as opposed to the Picture Fight—and then became embroiled in an unmeditated gang fight with the Class of 1928. But in general, the position of the Classes of 1926, 1927, and 1928 has been opposed to the fight.

"THE DARTMOUTH now advocates the Picture Fight. We realize that we will be accused of inconsistency, but we have taken this stand after a long consideration of the problem. In these columns Monday we advocated certain things in the belief that they would help to integrate the Class of 1929 into the College and would tend toward the more rapid assimilation of a class that has been unduly—and unconsciously—neglected by the rest of the College. We believe that a picture fight would be of great value in this plan of integration. If there are any suggestions in the undergraduate body as to a substitute for the fight, some form of contest or event that will enlist the interest of a large part of the lower classes, and serve this purpose, the board will welcome them; we will advocate them, if they seem to provide a more satisfactory solution of the difficulties. At present, we believe the Picture Fight offers the greatest benefits to the classes concerned.

"There seems to be an unfortunate and growing disintegration of the undergraduate body which is noticeable in the lower classes. The symptoms of this disintegration are numerous, and the results of it are too apparent. In no year in the past have undergraduates been so lacking in interests in Hanover, in no year has the custom of week-ending out of town been so widespread—and in no year for a long time has the vitality and morale of the college so depreciated.

"Particularly is this true of freshmen. Owing to the almost complete separation from the rest of the college enforced by the fraternity rushing regulations, the freshmen have remained largely alien. They have, in fact, few interests in the college proper : we understand that a considerable sentiment exists in the freshman class to the effect that the rest of the College is not interested in its problems, that it is merely tolerated. Such a sentiment is most detrimental to the interests of the class, and the College. It is to give the freshman class an interest in Hanover, and a chance, such as other classes have had, to show its unity and independence, that we advocate a Picture Fight.

"It is the nearly unanimous testimony of classes that have been through the fight, that it affords enthusiasm. Even the Class of 1926, which led the first rebellion against the fight, has in large measure changed its opinion. Last year, after the fight on the campus, the Class of 1927 found itself more unified, and better able to undertake and carry through a concerted action rapidly and successfully than at any other time in its history. We think that a picture fight would tend to bind the freshman class more closely together, and the sophomore class as well; and would further provide for each class a common interest.

"From the point of view of 'playing college,' the contest would be desirable. It would add enormously to the zest of the Hanover spring, which is disposed to be burdened with a monotony of mud. And, in the words of a member of the Class of 1924, 'This College is getting too damned serious.' We would welcome any variant from the usual spring sogginess. We think that the two lower classes would enjoy the fight. It is, or was, one of the genuine traditions of Dartmouth; and it indubitably provides one of the memories that alumni are so fond of recalling. It seems to us that the stock of desirable memories in the present-day Dartmouth is growing dangerously low, and we feel that this fight would provide a means of restoring one of the most enjoyable ones.

"Actions taken by classes in the past have been hasty and ill-considered, and frequently regretted. We would like to see the Freshman and Sophomore classes discuss the matter calmly this year, giving, as have not been given in the past, due consideration to the advantages of the fight, as well as to its disadvantages. These advantages are numerous. And then, when a stand is taken, there is hope that sane, intelligent decisions, that really represent the feelings of the classes concerned, will be rendered, instead of hasty examples of mob resentment.

"We should not like to see Palaeopitus insisting on a fight, for such insistence would seem overbearing to the classes concerned, and would tend to defeat the project. It was more in revolt against what was considered the undue interference and dictation of the upper classes, than in dislike of the fight itself that the last two refusals to fight were conceived. And it has been definitely proved that if either class refuses to fight, Palaeopitus is powerless to make them do so. This is entirely a matter for decision by the parties concerned, the lower classes, and we think that any attempt at coercion is to be deprecated. It is our hope that the classes concerned will see the advantages, and will come to an agreement immediately for some sort of contest, preferably the Picture Fight, this spring."

This editorial whetted campus interest to some extent, but the sentiment has not been crystallized sufficiently thus far to warrant a prediction as to what the general campus attitude will be, one way on another.

One very strong proponent of the fight is Louis Jean Heydt '27, who was president of the class of 1926 in the second semester of freshman year; and who led that class to a victory in the contest for their picture with the class of 1925. Heydt dropped out of Col- lege for a year, and has now returned, being ranked with the junior class.

Heydt, the strategist behind the 1926 plans, advocated the picture fight in an open letter as follows :

"To the Editor of THE DARTMOUTH: "Your editorial which appeared yesterday on the Picture Fight is like the echo of a long-lost spirit, a spirit of which many of us have quietly and hopefully awaited the return. It is a bit humiliating for one who was once a rabid exponent of the abolition of the Picture Fight to slink back again into the fold after three years and plead for its re-establishment, but I do not think that many Dartmouth traditions can be fairly evaluated except from a perspective mellowed by distance. They must be talked over, laughed over, cursed over, and lived through again in many an old bull league before the real essence of them becomes significant. I was president of the class of 1926 during the last Picture Fight, our freshman year, before the 'Dartmouth Reformation'—it was a punishment for the class officers and many of those in charge, in fact, the punishment was enough to make us seriously question whether the Fight was worth it—it had been overdone that year—and so we turned against it. But since then we have had a chance to cool off and 'reminisce,' and now if there were no other point in favor of the Fight than its reminiscent value I think many seniors would consider that point sufficient. But I think there are other arguments.

"During the spring of 1924, Dartmouth under the able leadership of Mr. Cowley underwent an intellectual operation. The old traditions were dragged up one by one, like offenders against the peace, and quickly and efficiently amputated. The campus turned into a gang of Thomas Paines scouring around trying to find something which it could 'reason' out of existence; by this method the Picture Fight was killed, the football rallies were denatured, Dartmouth Night became a gesture, the Senior Fence became an ordinary fence, Wet Down became a signal to go to the movies, and Delta Alpha became a half-hearted, day-and-a-half tea party. I think that many of us will now concede that we were then like the curious child who, 'wanting to get at the kernel of the bulb, went on picking off the leaves until nothing was left, and then could not help seeing that it was just the leaves that made the bulb.' Reason has its value but when misplaced it leads to spiritual poverty and today Dartmouth seems povertystricken. It is because we assumed that reasoning was the way to measuring the value of our traditions and reason has actually nothing to do with the case. It applies to another sphere and it can no more evaluate traditions than it can evaluate religion or falling in love. The value of the Picture* Fight and other traditions cannot be argued, it must be sensed or felt, and I sincerely think that those who do not feel their value now while there is time to mend, will feel it later when there is nothing but an empty void to look back upon.

"Traditions are Dartmouth's personalitythey form a great part of that atmosphere which lends distinction to the college and has made her dear to her alumni. In the mad rush of growing, we have, it seems, forgotten all about the Dartmouth of the New Hampshire hills and have been trying desperately to make a Dartmouth of the cosmos. We compare her traditions with those of Harvard, of Yale, of Columbia, of Oxford, city institutions, and aspire to be like them when we, by our location and unique surroundings, have an advantage priceless enough to make these same institutions green with envy. Dartmouth is not a city college and to try to make it one is to drain our own blood. The attempt has become slowly more successful during the past two years, and today Dartmouth, once famous for its college, life, seems almost as sedentary and lifeless as an overfed horse. We have done away with our traditions and two years have failed to supply a substitute. Rather than go empty-handed let us have them back again. "The above views may be accepted or re- jected, but, in any case, I challenge the freshman and sophomore classes to judge the value of the Picture Fight not only by their own reason but by the opinions of any senior or alumnus."

The present junior athletic managership competition has been changed back to the senior managership program by the Athletic Council and will go into effect next year. This is one of the four drastic changes which the council has made in the conduct of the managership competition.

The scholarship standard set for all sophomores entering the competition has been materially raised, the number of freshmen elected to the competition has been raised from 25 to 30 and the council has instituted the new ruling that new men may be added to the competition to fill vacancies left by men dropping out, according to the preference shown in the election held by the class this May.

"The junior managerships plan which was instituted by the council last year as an experiment has not proved to be an unsatisfactory arrangement," was the statement made by Max A. Norton, graduate manager of athletics. He continued by saying that they had intended to relieve the seniors from their managership burden but that the system had not been practical in the major and in some of the minor sports,

"We find," said Mr. Norton, "that a year's experience as assistant managers is necessary for men handling the bigger positions and that is necessary definitely to place the responsibilities on the older managers. The seniors will be greatly relieved, however, by their junior assistants.

"The present junior managers of all sports will continue their positions under this change, the sophomores who are at present competing for the positions being elected this spring to the assistant managerships.

"The council has changed the scholarship requirements so that it is necessary for a freshman to have obtained 2.0 his first semester to be eligible for election and must have a mark of at least 2. his second and third semesters to remain in the competition. Last year it was required a freshman have 1.8 and 2. with no third semester requirement.

"We have found in some cases that scholarship tends to drop in the sophomore year," Mr. Norton stated, "and the council wants only managers who can keep up both scholarship and managerial interests. We feel that this raise in standards will not cut out good men but will raise the scholastic rank of the competitors."

"We have enlarged the number of competitors from 25 to 30 to allow for the inevitable number that drop out or are dropped from the competition. This change has also been made to divide up the group work and relieve the heelers."

Freshman candidates for the non-athletic competition will also have to attain the grade of 2.0 their first semester and an average of 2.0 for the freshman year, according to the announcement made by the Council on Student Organizations. The third semester grade must be 2.0 to allow the sophomores to continue the competition.

This standard is similar to that just established by the Athletic Council, except that the latter has required the mark of 2.0 for each of three semesters. The non-athletic managers will continue their senior managerial plan.

C. N. Proctor '28, captain of the Dartmouth winter sports team for next year, has been elected vice-president of the Intercollegiate Winter Sports Union as the result of the recent election -of the 1926-27 officers of that organization, it was announced by S. H. Millard '26, secretary-treasurer of the union, who conducted the election by mail.

The officers elected are: President, J. Scammon '27, Bates College, vice-president, C. N. Proctor '28, Dartmouth College; and secretary-treasurer, W. B. Thompson '27:, McGill University.

It is expected that within a year there will be several new members in the present divisions of the union and that a new division will be formed. Wisconsin, Michigan and Syracuse have shown particular interest and will probably form the nucleus of a new division.

The report of the treasurer of Palaeopitus up to March 1 shows a balance of $82.38 on hand. The financial statement as submitted by C. D. Webster '26, treasurer, also indicates the total receipts of the organization as $704.81 and the total expenditures as $622.43.

A. C. Lund '27 has been elected president of the Cercle Francais. C. A. Eastman '28 has been elected vice-president, W. R. Barney '29 secretary, and M. Choukas '27 treasurer.

A revitalized Round Table of 75 members listened to a short talk by Prof. R. H. Bowen of the Sociology Department recently, in which he stressed the need for diversity of interests in the liberal college. Such a group of students, declared Professor Bowen, should cherish traditions which spring from an interest in and a respect for scholarship, athletics, politics, social development and art as it shows itself in expression and participation. Such interests which should be deep-seated traditions of any true college, he asserted, will develop a vital, well-rounded student body.

The committee appointed to handle the affairs of the Round Table prior to election of officers announced that the new directorate will be elected two weeks from last night. Constitutional changes enlarging the membership to ISO undergraduates and providing for dues of $2 a semester were read for later consideration.

The membership of 36 was enlarged by the admission of 40 new members.

These new members are: 1926— W. G. Rohepp. 1927— J. M. Ahern, T. Anglem, C. Brewster, R. W. Brokaw, J. K. Chandler, P. F. Hannah, L. J. Heydt, E. R. Johnson, J. Y. McClure, J. F. O'Leary, J. M. Russakoff, R. H. Slater, W. B. Smith, W. L. Starr, C. E. Strouse, J. P. Williams and J. D. Wood.

1928— W. W. Ballard, C. C. Blyth, S. J Dennis, H. V. Hartjens, B. A. Levine, L. B. Mason, R. M. Meyers, R. A. Rockhill, W. G. Rohlffs, H. W. Scherp, Q. Skinner and J. B. Wallace.

1929— J. C. Blair, L. W. Doob, I. J. Hanssman, J. L. Loeb, Jr., S. R. Mills, A. H. Rosenthal, J. O. Stigall, E. P. Vollmer and W. B. Wolfe:

Three members of the freshman class J. C Blair, J. E. Cavanagh and W. E. Hannan, Jr. have been elected to The Dartmouth Board. These men were selected from the second competition for the paper which started in February.

J. C. Blair of Stamford, Conn., prepared at Mercersburg before coming to Dartmouth. J. E. Cavanagh of Plattsburg, N. Y., did his preparative work at the Plattsburg High School. W. E. Hannar, Jr. of Albany, N. Y., went to Albany, Academy before entering College.

Football has invaded the Hanover stage. The sock and buskin of Shakespeare was donned by four Dartmouth football men when "The Tempest" was staged on the nights of April 23 and 24. E. B. Dooley '27, premier quarterback, piloted the play through its comedy parts in the role of Caliban.

A hero of football was the hero of "The Tempest" when C. R. Starrett '26, fullback, spoke the lines of Ferdinand. R. L. Marsans, Jr. '27, the comedian of the football squad, disported himself as the portly Stephano. A second fullback occupied the stage in S. L. Buffington '26, who played Trinculo. The athletic managers also had a representative in G. D. Arnold '27, the manager of swimming, who was Prospero.

Marsans and Arnold are veterans of the Dartmouth stage. Arnold has played the parts of Pat in "The Hairy Ape," Father Reilly in "Back of the Yards," Mr. Barthwick in "The Silver Box," Tilly, the clown in "He Who Gets Slapped," and an officer in "Twelfth Night." In last year's presentation of Shakespeare Marsans had the role of Toby Belch in "Twelfth Night."

Buffington, Dooley and Starrett will make their first appearance for the Players in "The Tempest."

E. J. Engleman '28, who had the part of Ariel, has appeared as Elsa in this year's Carnival show, as Varinka in "The Great Catherine," as Essie in "The Devil's Disciple," and as a lady-in-waiting in "Twelfth Night." M. McClintock '26, who plays Miranda in "The Tempest," has appeared as the Marquise in "Minuet" and as Goldie McDuff in "Rollo's Wild Oat."

Ledyard Bridge from the Vermont Shore