CONSTRUCTIVE TENDENCY NOTED

There has been a general tendency this year toward constructive activity for improving the social life at Dartmouth, whereas, hitherto, all comments were usually restricted to complaints about the remoteness and narrowness of the College as a community.

To say that there have been changes in the outdoor life of the Dartmouth student is only to say that it has been increased and expanded. One fact which may be used as a symbol to suggest the expansion of interest in outdoor life is the increased interest and activity of such clubs as the Mountaineering Club, and the strengthening of the recently formed ski clubs which exist within the Outing Club. It is noteworthy that groups of skiers have found it agreeable to form small clubs which afford an opportunity not only for congenial contact but for more widespread competition. Before these clubs were formed most of the Dartmouth men who competed in races were those who represented the D. O. C., but now there may be as many as four or five different Hanover teams in any given race.

The indoor activities which we mentioned in the second paragraph ("indoor" is poorly used, but it's convenient) may be represented by the various campus publications. This year has marked the beginning of a movement which will undoubtedly result in an improvement in the calibre and in the administration of the undergraduate publications.

Just as the suggestions for improving fraternity and dormitory life have been answered by action so it may be expected that the committee which is investigating the publications will offer and carry out valuable suggestions. Weaknesses have appeared from time to time either in the publications themselves, or in the way they are put out. Too much time taken from studies by the men behind the publications is one of the objections.

In connection with "publications" it seems appropriate at this point to say something about the Dart, Dartmouth's only, and too little known, literary publication. The editors of the Dart have expressed a desire that more of the alumni could become acquainted with the magazine. There are two issues each year, winter and spring, and in it appear most of the best things written by undergraduates, from short stories to vignettes. The Dart deserves and would welcome the support of the alumni, and William Brown, 108 Crosby Hall, can supply information about the magazine and can take orders for the current issue.

These brief discussions of some of the changes that have occurred in a few of the things that constitute the College's "life" are in no way complete. It seems to us that the College has changed more, become more attractive, in the course of this, our senior year, than in the three years heretofore. The only thing that is not an improvement on last year is the lack of snow for Carnival!

There are a few things that have happened since we wrote the copy for the February issue which deserve mention. In the first place, a group of seven was recently appointed to examine, under Professor Brown, a proposal for a two year Natural Science course which was made by Asher Lans of The Dartmouth. Whether or not Lans' plan will be accepted will not be known for some time.

Then, on January 18th, Kirsten Flagstad appeared in Webster Hall as the second performer in the Concert Series. Completely winning the audience with her voice and program and personality, Madame Flagstad gave a thrilling performance. Our principal reaction to her singing was one of complete amazement that anyone alone on a stage could sing with such great effect. She readily created the moods and atmospheres which were necessary and added immeasurably to the songs she sang.

A LEADING COMPETITOR IN THE CARNIVAL SLALOM RACE FOR GIRLS Blanche McLane, wife of John R. McLane Jr. '38, director of Carnival, took second placein the newest feature event of Carnival skiing.