PFHE COLLEGE NEWS t Page Two rae € 7 ea THE COLLEGE NEWS ~ (Founded in 1914) Bryn Mawr College. Published weekly during the College Year (except during Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter holidays, and during examination weeks) in the interest of Bryn Mawr College at the Ardmore Printing Company, Ardmore, Fa., and Editor-in-Chief. The College News is fully protected by copyright. Nething that appears in it may be reprinted either wholly or in™“part without permission of the & _Aprit OursLer, '46 DoroTHy BRUCHHOLZz, 46 Naney MoreHouse, '47 ManrGareET Rupp, *47 THELMA BALDASSARRE, '47 Sports Caro. BALLARD, *45 Nina MontTcoMeEry, °45 BARBARA WILLIAMS, *46 Harji Matix, °45 ELIZABETH MANNING, '46 Editorial Board ALISON MERRILL, °45, Editor-in-Chief Mary Vircinia More, ’45, Copy Patricia Piatt, *45, News Editorial Staff Photographer HANNAH KAUFMANN, 746 Business Board ELIzABETH ANN MERcER, °45, Business Manager JEANNE-MartE Leg, ’45, Advertising Manager Subscription Board MarGaRET Loup, *46, Manager Mary Louise KarcHer, °46 SUSAN OULAHAN, 746, News Patricia BEHRENS, *46 LANIER DuNN, *47 Darst Hyatt, ’47 Monnle BELLow, '47 Cartoons JEAN SMITH, °46 Mira AsSHODIAN, *46 SARAH G. BECKWITH, 46 Lovina BRENDLINGER, °46 CHARLOTTE BINGER, ’45 Entered as second class matter at the Ardmore, Pa., Post Oéfice Under Act of Congress August 24, 1912 Political Discussion A group for political discussion has been formed on the campus, independently and surprisingly quietly, in the past week. Arising originally in response to an opinion letter in the News of February 16 condemning “the total lack of interest which the Bryn Mawr students . .. show toward anything re- motely connected with the war,” the group proposes to meet: weekly to discuss current political issues. Such discussion, the group’s initiators hope, may lead, if the occasion de- mands it, to action in the form of letters to Congressmen. In its present embryonic form, the discussion group aims ideally at flexibility and informality, with no attempt at for- mal debate or prepared speeches. and formed no committees. It has chosen no officers The success of its discussions, then, will-depend upon the information which those who at- tend the meetings possess. It can become simply a free-for- all airing of opinion, biased and unfounded; it can, on the other hand, become an exchange and a clarification of ideas. In view of the fact that the impetus for the formation of such a discussion group was an endeavor to remedy the much maligned campus apathy and to create an awareness and an interest in world affairs, it is to be hoped that the group wili attract and include more than those interested and already aware persons who founded it. It will not be an extension of a Current Events talk; it will not, it is hoped, be a limited organization of interested individuals. The spirit in which it has been formed is admirable; may it be successful. O eo: e@ New Constitution’s Principle Too Basic to be Defeated, Butler Says . To the Editors: The fact that the plan for the new constitution was voted down “does not mean the defeat of that plan. The principle of liberty and respect, of individuals cannot be overthrown in any college meet- ing. It is too basic an idea. Nev- ertheless, it is striking that in a college which upholds democracy, its fundamental principle should be disowned. But that rejection can be only temporary in a’ demo- cratic society. The vote of the mass meeting cannot be considered as conclusive. Not only was the presentation ir- regular but also the discussion was inadequate, as has been prov- ed by the smoking room argu- ments and the fact that many people have changed their minds. We firmly believe that this idea will continue and ultimately be accepted by all colleges. _ Deifdre Butler, '46 3 Students Deplore Neglect Of Chapel Services By News Dear Editor: It has occurred to us that the splendid opportunity offered the College by the Sunday night Chap- el Services has been overlooked by the News. Space in the paper is given to the words of every other eminent speaker. Surely these men have messages of equal im- portance and interest to the sub- scribers of the News. Most school and college papers allot space to their Chapel Services, and all the large newspapers have accounts of the services in their cities. We think-this would be particularly wise here at Bryn Mawr, where we ‘are fortunate enough to have such noted ministers to conduct the services. An article in the News might also serve to direct more attention to this part of Col- lege life, which is, unfortunately, overlooked by many. E. H. D., E. W. S., A. S. W. hr ee ene CN REY A a ea NE Armstrong Feels Issues Before Mass Meeting Not Clear ___ | To the Editor: It is to be hoped that this will not be considered a “poor loser’s letter—usually I don’t believe in further argument once a view has been considered and discarded by a majority, but in this case I feel there are quite a few who, like myself, only belatedly realize that the issues before our recent mass meeting were not completely clear. Moreover, I feel we still can and should do something about facing the ‘‘radical” views open-mindedly and realizing they do have their good points. : Radicals Justified What seems to me most open to criticism is ¢he attitude taken by mény of those who have lately been discussing these questions. There is definitely the feeling that all those speaking for a new constitution are utter anarchists, dest¥uctive and are not construc- tive elements, rule breakers seek- ing justification for their acts. I fail to see why the “new” is the “bad” or why all those associated with it are by reason of their as- sociation devoid of sincere feeling and incapable of a wish to work for the intersts of the college. I fail to see why the “radical” must automatically be considered as working only for her own _inter- ests. It seems strange to me that many of those whom one _ would think most concerned withthe ad- ministration of Self-Gov’t have kept their minds closed to any suggestions which might simplify or improve that administration at the expense of a _ constitution which many sincerely feel capable of improvement. New. Constitution Rewriting a constitution does not mean abolishing a_ constitu- tion. First of all, I think it was not. made clear that there would be no overthrow of Self-Govern- ment and surrender to the Admin- istration in the event of a new constitution. The system of a Self-Gov’t board would certainly have been retained and the pres- ent constitution would have _ re- mained in effect until the approv- al and acceptance of a new one. Secondly, there would have been rules under a new constitution. The goal was a simplification of the existing system, attainable by keeping only those rules neces- sary for safety and to protect such individual rights as are not taken care of by state or nationai laws, but there was no desire to abolish all — law. Proposed Revision The new constitution has, of course, been voted down, and I sup- pose there is also felt to be : no need for an amendment stating the principle behind its laws— certainly this would be unneces- sary as long as the majority is able to read a principle into the words of the Blue Section. But I feel that the object of all this “anarchism”—simplification « for the governed and the governing board—has not been sufficiently emphasized and now should be made the object of our revision of the constitution. This simplifica- tion could be accomplished by do- ing away-with a large-part of the Blue Section and rewriting / our legislative constitution passing only those laws the majority agrees are necessary for the pres- ent time and situation. “ Vv. Armstrong, 44. History of Proposed Changes In Self-Gov’t Constitution Examined To the Editor of the College News: From the point of view of self- government the past three weeks have been vital and important. They have been full of murmurings and mutterings, discussions and ar- guments. Last week produced de- cisive action. I think we have now reached a point when we can look back upon the three weeks just past and evaluate.them. We are a bit beyond their turmoil, and we can achieve a more objective view. Further steps are still to be tak- en. If we can assimilate our past experience, it will help us in deal- ing completely with the future. Controversy Reviewed The most important events of the past weeks were the following: first, the publication in the Lantern on February 7 of the extreme ed- itorial advocating greater free- dom, especially along the lines of smoking and drinking. Secondly, the Assembly presented by the executive board of the Self-Gov- ernment Association, a clarification of the workings and principles (oh! overworked word) of our present self-government system. Thirdly, the News published three letters. The first of these came out the same day as the Assembly and was written by the editor of the Lantern. It was more specific in tone than her editorial had been, and dealt further with smoking and permission-giving. The following week the News printed two letters, a second from the editor of the Lantern and the other from “An Individual.” The former suggested the adoption of a new constitution. The latter de- fended our present constitution. We owe thanks to “An Individual” for setting forth so clearly the merits of our system and the ad- vantages of maintaining it. The editor of the Lantern expressed her desire to present her plan in a more detailed way at a Mass Meet- ing. This meeting was held last Thursday evening. The business was presented systematically and the debatable points were fully discussed. The voting held in the halls that night showed that an overwhelming majority of the un- dergraduates were in favor of keeping the present constitution. These are the events which strike one, as one glances back over the period between the begin- ning of the semester and the pres- ent. However, other elements lurk underneath. We have seen some amazing things at Bryn Mawr re- cently. We have seen the college menaced by subversive and pernic- ious methods of persuasion. We have seen girls swept off their feet by the pleasing phrase, “individ- ual freedom.”’ We have seen girls take the course of least resistance. On the other hand, we have had the pleasant experience of seeing girls make a decision and uphold that decision staunchly. Amendments It is undeniable that the under- graduates want some changes in their constitution, changes in smoking and changes in permis- sion-giving. These will involve petitions, mass - meetings and amendments. Last week showed that we know what we don’t want. We must now decide what we do want. Any amendment must be thought over carefully and delib- erately. I would appeal to the student body as a whole to formu- late constructive ideas, .to offer measures which will help to per- fect our present system of self- government. I would appeal also to those who voted in favor of a new constitution to redirect their energies,. insofar as this is poss- tent a vents Common Room, - February 29. “Labor, more than any other group, has been Anti-Fascist al- most #rom the time of Ethiopa and the Spanish Civil War’, de- clared Mr. Donald Henderson’ in his discussion of Labor and the 1944 Elections at Current Events. Since it is the labor movement which is first involved whenever there is progress, its interests are now most at stake. - Mr. Henderson set forth. La- bor’s aim to support the Teheran agreements, unconditional sur- render, the complete smashing of Fascism, and cooperation among the United States, Britain, and the U. S. S. R. The upholding of the Roosevelt (or the go-called ‘administration’) policy of sup- porting the Teheran program is iLabor’s first stake in the coming elections. Expressing - his doubt that a Republican administration would, on the whole, carry out such a policy, the speaker recog- nized the great need for support- ing the Teherin agreements, without which revolutions, civil war, and upheavals will inevitably occur throughout the world, ex- cept in the U. S. and Russia. Total employment, a_ second aim of Labor, demands a national income of 150 to 200 billion dol- lars, Mr. Henderson stated. Ex- panded activity on a world scale is required, Since without interna- tional trade and a peaceful, coop- erating world during reconstruc- tion, the manufacture and sale of products will be greatly impeded. Since, he felt, labor sees what the issues are, it will support the party which upholds them. Thus, the C. I. O. Political Action Com- mittee, although it has endorsed no candidate, will work with any who support win-the-war and postwar cooperation policies. The bulk of Labor is behind Roosevelt, Henderson stated, and will sup- port him for a fourth term. » | WHAT TO DO | Students interested in teaching next year. Miss Watson, from the Cooperative Bureau for Teachers, will be at the college next Monday, March 6, for interviews with you. Please sign on the schedule out- side Room H for appointments. Students with Scientific Train- ing. The Carborundum Company, Niagara Falls, New York. Appli- cation blanks may be secured in the Bureau of Recommendations. Scholarships offered by the Soc- ial Service Bureau of Newark, New Jersey, to graduates interested in studying at the New York School of Social Work or Smith College School of Social Work. Camp Fire Girls, Inc. Openings for personnel ‘positions on the staff. Interviews may be _ arranged through the Bureau of Recom- mendations. International Business Machines. A representative will visit the col- lege next Thursday, March 9 at 4.30 p. m. in the Deanery. Anyone interested is invited to the meet- ing. Stuyvesant Neighborhood House. A representative will be at the college Wednesday, March 8. Please notify the Bureau of Recommend- ations if you would like an inter- view. Langley Field, Hampton, Vir- ginia. Wéimen needed for aeronau- tical research. Scientific Aides, artist illustrators, mathematicians, and computers. Salary ranges from $1750-$2433. ible, along lines of greater cooper- ation. Above all, I would express thanks on the part of a great many to those who worked very hard to preserve our present system of self-government, most especially to the President and Vice-Presi- dent of the Association. boo Niger so tt ot -- > Student: «.