College news, October 29, 1947

THE.

ALY



OLLEGE NEWS



VOL: XLIM, NO. 5

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1947

Copyright, Trustees of
Bryn Mawr bse bc

PRICE 10 CENTS



Juniors Display
Musical Talents
In “Big as Life”

Vivid Stage Sets Give

Appropriate Scene
For Wild West

by Emily Townsend 750

The Junior’ Show of ’49, Big As
Life, presented last Saturday night
in Goodhart Auditorium, was sup-
ported by excellent sets and good
songs; the action within this
framework was somewhat weak
and spotty. The individual acting
was of a fairly high quality, and
gave the show the vitality the plot
failed to, while the shortness of
the production, always attractive
in amateur musicals, was all to the
good; the humour, however, was
too often of a kind that has been
buried long since, and should never
have been dug up again.

The plot, cleverly and aptly
symbolized by the stage crew’s
creaking machine, was _ never-
theless the major weakness of the
show. Concerned with the Lucite
Life-reporters’ assignment to cov-
er the boom town of Creeping
Fingers, and the mildly frustrated
Jove-affair of hero Gabe and hero-
ine Gentian Violet, it. had to be
siled at frequent intervals by the
¢«haracter parts. It did, however,
get the songs in and the leads
married off, which is the ultimate
function of any musical comedy.

Bright spots in the show were
Kathy (Geib and Sue Henderson in
the leads; it is a pity they were
given no more to do, for they did
what they did very well. Both had
clear, true voices, and fine comic
talents. Kathy’s solo, “Nosegays”,
eame out nicely from behind one
of the deadest pans in all the
West, (rivaled only by those hairy
miners, Kelley and Platt), and Sue
managed to look incredibly demure,

éven in the scanty pink of the
Continued on Page 2

Old Chapel Form
Favored by Poll

Elizabeth McClure, head of the
Chapel Committee, reports that
the Chapel poll indicates a clear
majority approving the present
order of service. The prevalent
feeling is that a good sermon is
definitely a desirable part of Cha-
pel. Thé poll revealed, however,
the student support of an average
“of one student-led service each
month. Mid-week lectures, espec-
ially on comparative religion, were
also advocated.

The most immediate aim of the
Chapel Committee in carrying out
the suggestions of the poll will be
to evolve a better method for se-
lecting Sunday and mid-week speak-
ers. New hymnals with familiar
hymns will be procured as soon as
possible. Specific suggestions, such
as improving the Music Room and

calling the service “Vespers”, will.

also be acted upon.

Specific figures from the poll
were as follows: of the 252 stud-
ents that replied to the poll, 185
favor the present order of service;
15 opposed; 69 favor present type
__of...service;24-favor—devotional
service without speakers; 143 fa-
vor combination, services with
‘speakers alternating with student-
led services; 173 report they will
come to lectures on comparative

religion; 172 oppose morning serv- |

ices; 40 supported this.

ARDMORE and BRYN MAWR, PA.,

Japan Undergoes
Education Change,
Says Mrs. Vining

Goodhart, October 23. — “One
must live in Japan to realize the
dramatic changes in Japanese
thought in“ the last two years,”
stated Mrs. Elizabeth G. Vining,
tutor to the Japanese Crown Prince,
in a lecture on “Japan of. Today.”
She pointed out that Japan, a tot
talitarian country for centuries,
has renounced war, formed atifem-
ocratic political structure ahd gone
on to rebuild her a with
courage and hope.

Education, she ggktinned, felt
this change immediately after the
Emperor announced the policy of
peaceful surrender. Because the
Occupation put the responsibility
of reform on the Japanese them-
selves, a newly established Jap-
anese Educational Council formed
a charter stating the new aims for
education. The manual and mem-
orization system succumbed to the
popular desire of fully developing
the personality of the Japanese
child, of giving him a sense of re-
sponsibility for building peace.

This charter, Mrs. Vining ex-
plained, made education compul-
sory fer nine years and introduced
liberal textbooks in history, geog-
raphy and civics. She pointed out
that there has been a great change
in teaching personnel. Conferences,
workshops, training schools and a
program of adult education are
training teachers in the true mean-
ing of democracy.

The new educational program
has won the enthusiastic support
of the Japanese people, the speak-

er continued. But the change is
Continued on Page 2

Curric. Committee
Presents Report

Betty Hamilton, ’48, chairman of
the student Curriculum Commit-
tee, has made a report on the poll
taken of the senior class last
spring concerning changes in the
curriculum. The results of the
poll, summarized below, are to be
submitted to the faculty commit-
tee. :

The majority of the 64 seniors
who filled out the poll felt that
there should be a required course
in either History, Political Science
or Social Science. Strong opposi-
tion to the large number. of re-
quired subjects has made action on
this problem unfeasible.

A strong majority of the seniors

favored additions to the curric-
ulum of Creative Writing, Com-
parative Religion and Drama.
_ Although there was definite op-
position to thé substitution of a
thesis for the comprehensive ex-
aminations, there were sufficient
complaints about the comprehen-
sive system to merit a recommen-
dation to the faculty committee.
The inequality among the depart-
ments was a chief source of dis-
satisfaction. A suggested solution
was that of a prepared general ex-
amination suéh as that given by
the Biology Department last year.
Oral “gripes” are also to be
brought to the attention of the
committee.

The chairman wishes to remind
students that’ if they have any
problems or complaints concern-
ing a department they should con-
sult the Curriculum Committee
representative of that department.
Minutes of the meetings of the



cial bulletin board in Taylor Hall.

~





committee will be posted on a spe- |



M. Newcomer
To Discuss U.S.,
Marshall Plan

“The United States and the Mar-
shall Plan” will be discussed by
Miss Mabel Newcomer at the sec-
ond College Assembly on Current
Affairs, November 4 at 12:30 in
Goodhart. Miss Newcomer is
Chairman of the Economics De-
partment at Vassar College.

Miss Newcomer ‘has recently re-
turned ‘from Germany where she
acted in an advisory capacity to
General Clay. In 1944 she was a
member of the American delega-
tion to the United Nations Confer-
ence at Bretton Woods, which es-
tablished the International Mone-
tary Fund and the International
Bank of Reconstruction.

Among various public activities
connected with the State of New
York, Miss Newcomer was a mem-
ber of Governor \Dewey’s Tax Ad-
visory Committee in 1943 and of
the New York State Joint Com-
mitee on Fiscal Policies in 19387.

BMC, Haverford
To Give Saroyan

On November 7-8

William Saroyan’s The Time of
Your Life will be presented in
Goodhart, on November 7 and 8,
as the fall production of Bryn
Mawr’s Varsity Players and Hav-
erford’s Cap and Bells.. Director

.Frederich. Thon describes the play

as “a poetic fantasy combining
vaudeville, philosophizing, and
tae ‘Missouri Waltz.’” This latter
ingredient should literally set the
stage for the Undergrad dance
which will follow.

Production Manager Betsy
Swope, ’50, is in charge of eon-
structing the play’s setting, Nick’s
Pacific Street Saloon, Restaurant
and Entertainment Palace at the

foot of the Embarcadero in San},

Francisco. Ami Hains, ’50, is han-
dling sound effects; Vera Tozzer,
’48, costumes; Yolanda Domville,
’49, makeup, and A. Levensohn,
prompting. Carol McGovern, °48,
is publicity manager.

Tickets are on sale from~-1:30 to
2:00, in the Public Relations office.



Calendar

Thursday, October 30

4:30—Vocational Commit-
tee Tea, Common Room.

8:30—Arthur M. Schlesin-
ger, Jr., “The Patterns of
Democratic Change: Jackson
and Roosevelt”, Goodhart.
Friday, October 31

8:00—Freshman Hall Plays
—(Pem West, Pem East, Non-
Res, Denbigh) Skinner 'Work-
Bhop. *
Saturday; November..1

8:45 A.M.—Middle States
Intercollegiate Hockey Tour-
nament, here.

9:00 A. Miw—Hygiene Exam-
ination, Taylor.

8:00 \P. Mi—Freshman Hall
Plays—(Rock, Merion, and
Rhoads) Skinner Workshop.

Sunday, November 2
2:30—Hall _Hockey Match,

Rock vs. Rhoads.
7:00—Chapel Service con-

ducted by Rev. C. Leslie

Glenn, Music Room.

Monday, November 3
7:15—Cutrent Events, Com-

mon Room.

8:15—Miss McBride, “Par-
liamentary Rules and Proced-.
ure’, Common Room.
Tuesday, November 4 .

12:30—Assembly, Miss Ma-
bel Newcomer, “The United
States and the Marshall Plan”,
Goodhart.







Edith Finch Writes Biography:

“Carey Thomas

Rare Book Room
Displays Papers
Of M. C. Thomas

by Irina Nelidow 750



“If I ever live and grow up, my
one aim and concentrated purpose
shall be and is to show that a
woman can learn, can reason, can
compete with men in the grand
fields of literature and science that
open before the nineteenth cen-
tury.” So wrote Martha Carey
Thomas in her diary in 1871 at the
age of fourteen.

This diary together with her let-
ters to family and friends, the let-
ters she received from well known
contemporaries, her speeches, her
research papers, and many inter-
esting photographs forms part of
the M. Carey Thomas Collection
now on display in the Rare Book
Room of the Library. The exhibit
offers witness to how Miss. Thom-
as’ whole life was a fulfillment of
her early ideals.

Summa Cum Laude

M. Carey.Thomas was the first
woman to whom the University of
Zurich awarded the degree of Doc-
tor of (Philosophy with the distince-
tion of summa cum laude. It was
a great triumph for her, as well
as for women’s education. In a
letter to her mother in 1882, Miss



Thomas reveals her emotions be-
fore and after her successful ex-

amination. “I became more and
Continued on Page 2

Pres. to Explain
Parl. Procedure

President McBride will give a
talk on the “Fundamentals “of
Parliamentary Procedure”, on No-
vember 27, at 8 o’clock, in the
Common Room. All heads of or-
ganizations and others who are in-
terested are urged to come.

This talk was planned at the end
of last year as a possible solution
for the inefficiency of campus
meetings. Undergrad presents it
this year with the hope that a bet-
ter understanding of Parliamentary
procedure will enable meetings to
cover more business in the allotted
time and that attendance will thus
be better this fall.

of Bryn Mawr”

Lifelike Study “Shows
Dauntless Woman,
Brave Leader
by Katrina Thomas 749

Few of us can escape the mem-

ory of M. Carey Thomas which

permeates Bryn Mawr. Every-

where there are reminders of her;
the simple plaque bearing the in-
scription M.C.T.. 1857-1935 over
her ashes. buried in the library
cloister; the copy of the Sargent
portrait which was awarded the
Grand, Prix at the Paris Exposi-
tion and the white marble in the
reading room; the furnishings
of the Deanery — the carved
chests, sepia photographs, the pre-
Raphaelite paintings which hang in
her “blue study” and the Chinese
lanterns that she brought back
from her travels are familiar to
all. Thus her name, her general
appearance, her status as first
dean and later president of Bryn
Mawr for nearly thirty years and
some of her personal tastes are
known to us. But Edith Finch’s
comprehensive biography will make
this indomitable woman live for
those of us who never knew her,
and bring her back vividly to the
minds of those who did.

This is. no fictional biography,
no words are put into the mouth
of Miss Thomas that she might
have said, no actions that she
might have done. But Miss Finch
has made her live in the pages of
the book. The author presents a
personality of almost heroic stat-
ure with strong ideals and a power
of rationalism that greatly super-
sedes her emotions.

M. Carey Thomas is shown as
a woman who fought for every- -
thing she got. She fought to go
to Sage College at Cornell Univer-
sity, to be allowed to study at
Johns Hopkins though she was not
permitted to attend classes. She
fought to go on to a (German uni-
versity and to win the degree of
doctor of philosophy. She finally
attained this at the University of
Zurich after a three-day written
examination and a three-hour oral
examination in philology and the
development of English literature,
attaining the highest possible dis-
tinction—summa cum laude, here-
tofore only given to men.

Miss Finch covers the years of



Continued on Page 3



New Orchestra Shows Promise:
Time and Coordination Improved

by Barbara Bettman ’49

‘“We’re beginning to work up a;—there seem to be a preponder-

repertoire for Christmas and Arts
Night, and we’re gaining confi-
dence,” stated Anneliese Sitarz,
50, president of the combined Bryn
Mawr and Haverford orchestra.
This year’s orchestra numbers
about 25 and is under the direc-
tion of Mr. William G. Reese. Mr.
Reese, a student of Pierre Mon-
teux and former student at the
State Conservatory and the Uni-
versity of Berlin, conducts his re-
hearsals in a business-like and mu-
sicianly way, and it is a pleasure
to hear this new orchestra, which
gives evidence of being different
from that musical ensemble from
which we have heard in recent
years.

It seems a pity that the orches-
tra is so small and that its insru-



ments are not completely balanced

x

ance of flutes and a lack of viol-
ins—but renewed interest may in-
crease its size. The new orches-
tra keeps. strict time—a feat its
predecessor ‘never quite accom-
plished—and even observes the dy-
namics of a suite by Lully, current
practice fare.

The orchestra boasts a male
trumpet player who appears to
prefer the “Woodchopper’s Ball”
and “Guilty”’ from the look of his
trumpet case; there is a fascinat-
‘ing substitution of trumpet for
horn, first clarinet for second clar-
inet, and so on; there is a slight
lack of eyes on the conductor at all
times—but there is above all a real
enthusiasm and an earnest desire
to become a well-integrated, music-
al group which plainly character-



ize this new orchestra.




Page Two :

\

a

THE COLLEGE NEWS



4



\ GwYNN_E WiiiiaMs, 750 IrntNa NELIDoW, 50

THE COLLEGE NEWS

FOUNDED IN 1914



Published weekly during the College Year (except during Thanks-
giving, Christmas and Easter holidays, and during examination weeks)
in the interest of Bryn Mawr College at the Ardmore Printing Company,
Ardmore, Pa., and Bryn Mawr College.



The College News is fully protected by copyright. Nothing that
appears in it may be reprinted either wholly or in part without per-
mission of the Editor-in-Chief.

Editorial Board
Harriet Warp, °48, Editor-in-Chief

BarBARA BETTMAN, 749, Copy BetTy-BricHT Paces’ 49, Makeup
Louise Ervin, °49 Emity TowNnsEnp, ’50, Makeup
; KaTRINA ‘THOMAS ay

Editorial Staff

JEAN ELus, *49
GioriA WHITE, *48
MELANIE Hewitt, ’50



BARBARA ZIEGLER, °48
Marian. Epwarps, ’50
CrEcELIA MACCABE, 750

ANNE GREET ’50 Pat NicnHot, ’50 bs

Photographer
ROSAMOND KANE 748°

Business Board

Mary BEETLESTONE, "49, Business Manager
CAROL Baker, °48, Advertising Manager

Joan’ Rossins, *49 Betty Mutcn, ’50
HELEN ‘COLEMAN ’50

Subscription Board
Atty Lou Hackney, °49, Manager
Eprze Mason Ham, *50 Suk KELLEy, ’49
ANNA-STINA Ericson ’48EDYTHE LAGRANDE, 49
Ivy Borow ’50 SALLY CATLIN ’50
BarcarRA LIGHTFOOT 750 BUNNY STADERMAN ’51



Subscription, $2.75 Mailing price, $3.50
Subscriptions may begin at any time



Post Office

Entered as second class matter at the Ardmore, Pa.,
Under Act of Congress August 24, 1912

| Ellis, as Mr.





do



Americanism: Theory And Practice

Mr. Stassen’s comment that the current Communist
purge ‘in Hollywood seems un-American is well-taken. It is
true that it is also un-American to try to overthrow the gov-
ernment, or to “take orders” from another government. It
is equally true—or has been—that an American has a right
to believe as he feels and even to state those beliefs.

The investigation in Hollywood seems to be a culmina-
tion of all the Communist investigation of the past months.
Films are being arbitrarily classified as Communist propa-

‘ganda, film stars and producers arbitrarily filed as Commun-

ists. The intense eagerness of such men as Mr. Robert Tay-

lor, who “hates the Communists’, to ally themselves with

the persecutors in evidence of what may be the presagement
of tragedy in America.

There will always be men who want to persecute. There
were in Germany in 1938. Communism is the current hue-
and-cry. But after we are “cleansed” of Communists, what
then? ‘Are we to be cleaned of the Jews, the Negroes, the
Catholics—of any minority group less strong than those
Americans who are the huntsmen?

An American has a right to freedom of speech—but
more, he has a right to freedom of belief. Those very men
who so bitterly condemn, in theory, the restriction of rights
in a Communist government are most eagerly fighting for a
similar restriction in practice. And it can happen here.—B.B.

The Chapel Poll

The Chapel Committee is to be commended for its work
in trying to resurrect an institution that. for years has been
slowly dying on campus. There does seem to be less regular

church - going in America today, which fortunately has
gone hand in hand with less persecution of other religious

groups, but reveals the general apathy toward religion.

The committee realizes that there must be an opportun-
ity for some religious life on campus, even though not every
student will take advantage of it. They have asked questions,

. written a letter to the News and finally circulated a _poll in

order to find out what “oe of a chapel service is acceptable
to most.

_ In answer to the poll, students offered concrete sugges-
tions and many declared they would support a chapel service

more to their liking. The committee, in experimenting with
these suggestions, will have done its share, and it is now up

to the student, who has been allowed to air her gripes to this

willing: my, to a. with what the committee has}









Lyries and Music
Brighten ’49’s Show

Continued from Page 1

Goldcoast Girlies. And her few
drunken» moments were, thank
goodness, brief and amusing, not
overdrawn at all.

Several people in minor parts
did a most commendable job. Jean
Lucite, showed an
aptitude for parody in her reading
of “next week’s editorial,” (“Let’s
not for a minute forget the red
man!”). Of the reporters, Sheila
Tatnall had fair comi¢ ability, ai-
though Nancy Martin produced a
more mature cynicism and _ less
feminine hip-action; the team of
four, Tatnall, Martin, LaGrande,
and Pearson did some of the best
and cleanest singing of the show,
in “Boost and Ruild Your Circula-
tion”. Margo Vorys’ spiel as the
patent-medicine man showed al-
most professional skill in its vari-
ety of tone and newness of ap-
proach. Competehce . culminated

in the performance of Sybil Cam-

eron as Mello Ochre, who looked
as if she knew what she was sup;
posed to be doing on stage, and got
the biggest hand of the evening
for her husky singing of. ‘‘Heart-
break Blues”.

Lacks Finesse

The need for so many support-
ing roles, however, gave the pro-
duction a necessarily spotty effect,
and several episodes were a mark-
ed strain on both the humour and
the audience. The Typical Ameri-
can Housewife could easily have
been. dispensed with, and in the
Wells-Fargo “How do minks get
babies?” “The same way babes get
minks” routine, not even the clouds
of pant-seat dust could obscure the
well-fertilized corn. The crowd-
scenes were colorful, but apt to
get flabby, given the least chance
by the director. The kick chorus
seemed to depend on the shapeli-
ness of its collective limbs, a
quality present in many cases only
from the knee down, rather than
on dancing in step to attract. A
thin taste of the old West was
supplied by Black Jack and Ruby,
two of the .more effeminate des-
perados of our time.

Music Commended

The songs of Big As Life were
good: the tunes were easy and
pleasant to hum, though perhaps
nothing out of the ordinary, and
the lyrics were clever when they
could be heard. “One Time” and
“Sagebrush Knees” seemed to be
the most popular around campus
this past week-end, and are good
examples of the competence of
Director Ann Eberstadt and Music
Manager Sally Loomis. The sets
for the show were excellent; Ann
Seideman and her stage crew whip-
ped up a town facade and interior
of The Last Draw Saloon that
showed a refreshing originality of
design and color, fitting monuments:
to the spirit of Creeping Fingers.
Gale Minton’s script was skillful
in more places than its delivery
would lead one to believe.

Mrs. Vining Outlines

| Educational Program

Continued from Page 1
handicapped by the shortage of
school buildings and the lack ‘of
construction materials. Both teach-
ers and students, moreover, are
struggling against a serious food
problem.

Mrs. Vining, teaching both boys
and girls in the Peers’ school,
knows 140 Japanese children quite
well. In their diaries, she report-
ed, they express no bitterness over
the atom bomb. They believe it
was cruel, but since it was the
key to peace they are thankful for
it.
Mrs. Vining’s most interesting
pupil is the Crown Prince, who, as
she illustrated, has become the
symbol of Japanese boyhood. He
is on equal terms with his class-
mates and is liked for his sturdi-



ness, intelligence and alert poise.

Opinion

Vocational Committee
Asks Cooperation
Of Students

To the Editor:

Within recent years the work of
the Undergraduate Vocationai
Committee has fallen on deaf ears.
Whether the function and work of
the Committee has not been suffi-
ciently clarified, whether the con-
ferences it sponsors have not been
effectively publicized, whether its
program is unsatisfactory — these
and other possible reasons we hope
to discover and correct, so that the
committee together with the Bu-
reau of -Recommendations can
serve student interest to better ad-
vantage this year.

In the past the Committee has
invited six or more. speakers
throughout the year to advise stu-
dents of job opportunities in vari-
ous popular fields, requested by the
college-wide polls. Attendance at
these informal conferences has
been’ increasingly discouraging, at
‘times @mbarrassing.

. The cd-operation of all is neces-
sary, for only by constructive criti-
ciSm can information on job oppor-

tutities be brought to the atten- |

tion: ‘of those who are interested.
We hope all who can will attend an
informal tea in the Common Room,
Thursday, October 30, at 4.80, to
learn more about the Committee
and offer suggestions for its re-
vitalization. Seniors, particularly,

should. take advantage of. the in-}

formation which Mrs. Crenshaw, of
the Bureau of Recommendations,
will make available; and students
of all classes owe it to themselves
to learn how the College can and
is ready to help you in choosing
your field as well as preparing for
and locating the job you want.
The Vocational Committee
(Nancy Martin, Doris Blackman,
Jane Ellis, Molly Darling, Ruth
Metzger, Jeanette Hersey.)

Library Exhibits
M. C. Thomas Papers

Continued from Page 1

more nervous, I could not sleep or
eat during all this past week .
(then follows a list of examina-
tions). You can imagine what
those five minutes of waiting were.
I never felt such a sensation of
choking anxiety. The message
came to enter... the dean rose
and said he had the pleasure of

‘welcoming me as a Doctor of Phil-

osophy of the University and in-
forming mé that the faculty had
bestowed upon me the highest
honor in its power to give, ‘summa
cum laude’...I can hardly believe
It nOW ..
Thy loving daughter,
Dr. M. C. Thomas

The exhibit also contains the
thesis on “Sir Gawayne and the
Green Knight, a Comparison with

the French Perceval”, which earn-.
Miss '

ed the Ph. D. degree for
Thomas. This degree, together
with her ‘LL.D. from Johns Hop-
kins, a degree. from the. Ministere
de J’Instruction Publique’ des
Beaux Arts in Paris, and many
others, forms an impressive col-
lection.

Letter from Wilson

As a record of her equally no-
table official life, as Dean and
President. of Bryn Mawr, there are
on view letters from such famous
contemporaries as Emmeline Pank-
hurst, the great English leader for
women’s rights, and Woodrow Wil-
son, a former professor at Bryn
Mawr. Wilson’s letter was writ-
ten in 1885, when Miss Thomas
was Dean of the Faculty, and
concerns examinations and fellow-
ships.

Goal for Women

It was while Miss Thomas was
travelling through the Sahara that



_|she conceived the idea of the Bryn

Hall Discussions, Extra
To Give Information
On May Day

To the Editor:

In answer to. a constant stream
of questions from the _ student
body, we would like to report that .
the issue of Big May Day will be
presented during the week of No-
vember 3-8.

It seemed advisable to delay this
presentation until a complete re-
port could be made. This involved
discussion by the College Counéil
(Oct. 15), the decision of the Board
of Directors (Oct. 16), research
and collection of vital statistics by
us and discussion by the Faculty
(Oct. 29).

There will be a News extra com- -
ing out on Monday on the subject
of Big May Day; pictures and per-
tinent information will be posted
in Taylor and on the hall bulletin
boards. General . discussions led
by the Council will be held:

Rock: 10:30 P. M., Monday.

Rhoads: 10:30 P. M., Tuesday.

Pem West, Pem East, Wyndham,
East House: 7:30, Wednesday.

(West showcase)
Merion, Denbigh: 10:30 P. M., 2









Wednesday. (Merion showcase.)
A ballot will follow Thursday after
lunch. We hope that everyone will
give serious consideration to the
issue.

The Undergraduate Council

(Editor’s note: Letters on the
subject of Big May Day will be
welcomed for publication in the
Extra, if they reach the News”
room before this Friday evening.)

Alliance Angles

The Alliance calls your atten-
tion to the Relief Campaign which.
will begin on campus, November
10, and continue through the week.

-You not only -will be solicited for

contributions .to CARE and the

‘World Student Service Fund, but

you will be asked to contribute to

the Old Clothes Drive, sponsored by

the American Friends’ Service
Committee.

During Relief Week, the Alli-
ance will also conduct a “door to
door” campaign in the Vill, solicit-
ing for contributions to CARE and
the clothes drive. We are all aware
of the constantly pressing and ur-
gent needs. of Europe today. It is
up to us.to act, to give and to
share.

In connection with European re-
lief, the Alliance is sending a peti-
tion to Congress, supporting stop-
gap aid to Europe until the Mar-
shall Plan is effective. It also fa-
vors immediate consideration of
the Marshall Plan and stresses the
necessity for Congress passing the
plan. This petition will be pre-
sented in hall meetings soon. The
student body then will discuss and
vote on it in a mass meeting.



Mawr Summer School for Women
Workers. She kept voluminous
diaries of her travels abroad, so
that we know just what were her
reactions and impressions at the
time. The address Miss Thomas
made at the opening of this school
in June, 1922, testifies to her in-
spiring beliefs. ‘It came to me as
a wonderful’ revelation ... that
these coming changes might be
hastened by the deep sex sympa-
thy that now draws all women to-
gether, that the more fortunate
and the less fortunate women of |
the world might work together i
to obtain for all women the great- {
est treasure in all the world, a

liberal education.”

The publication today of Miss a
Edith Finch’s ‘biography, Carey 4
Thomas of Bryn Mawr, makes this q
exhibit particularly appropriate:










THE COLLEGE NEWS

Page Three



12 Hockey Teams
To Compete Here

~Qn Saturday, November Ist,
Bryn Mawr will be hostess to the
12 colleges that are participating
in the Middle States Intertollegi-
ate Hockey Tournament. This all-
day tournament is held (rain or
shine) each year at either Swarth-
more or Bryn Mawr. The partici-
pating colleges include: Beaver,
Bryn Mawr, Chestnut Hill, Drexel,
East Stroudsburg, Immaculata,
Penn, Rosemont, Swarthmore,
Temple, Ursinus and Wilson.

In the morning each college
team will play three games of 20
minutes each. The best individual
players will be selected to partici-
pate in further matches in the aft-
ernoon. At the end of the day the
Intercollegiate First and Second
Teams will be chosen and will play
each other on Sunday. : Later on in
the. season they will play against
the Philadelphia Association and
Keystone Teams.

Local umpiring tests will be giv-
en during the tournament. The
Athletic Association also . an-
nounces that the assistance — of
about 12 students will be needed
from 8:45 to 12:30. Please sign by
Thursday, on the list posted in
Taylor, if you wish to help.

A. A. Board

The Gym department regulations
for required sports are posted in
Taylor. If anyone has any ques-
tions or complaints about these
rules, will they please contact Lib-
-by Bagley or some member of the
AA board. The board is powerless
in its function as liaison between
the gym department and the stu-
dents unless it receives direct stu-

dent opinion. Please use your
board!

Saunders Barn
Information concerning Saun-

ders Barn is posted in Taylor. You
must let Libby Bagley or Miss
~Grant know at least a day ahead
if you wish to use the barn. Fur-
ther information may be secured
from Libby Bagley.





YOU NAME THE BOOKS

Miss Robbins has been asked
to prepare a bibliography of
books on American life and
thought for an English school
(girls, 15 to 18 years old). The
News will act as a clearing
house for all suggestions, which
may include history, poetry,
novels, and picture books.







Bryn Mawr Ties

Swarthmore 1-1

On Friday afternoon, October
24, the first team from Swarth-
more tied Bryn Mawr in hockey.
The hard fought score was 1-1 at
the end of the game. The two
teams were closely matched and
the playing was good.
improved steadily, to its
high point in the second half when
the defense was particularly: co-
ordinated, on both sides. Both the
goals of the game were made in
the first half, Sylvia Hayes scor-
ing Bryn Mawr’s one point.

Bryn Mawr’s second team eked
out a win of 8-2 over Swarthmore’s |

The game
reach

second team the same afternoon.
Two of Bryn Mawr’s goals were

made by Jane Stone. The playing
was fast, and close, throughout the
game.

On Sunday, October 26, Merion
was eliminated from the race in
the Hall hockey games when Den-
bigh won 4-0. This may be due
to the fact that Merion’s starting
line-up_boasted_seven_people_only.

\
K
MAYO and PAYNE

Cards Gifts
| RADIO

Parts Repairs
821 LANCASTER AVE.
BRYN MAWR





-







Current Events

Common Room, Oct. 27. Two
Bryn Mawr students who spent
their junior year ‘abroad, Patricia
Hochschild and Jean Lutz, spoke
on student systems in Europe, the
physical conditions, and the gen-
eral ideas of America held by Eu-
ropeans.

European student systems, said
Pat Hochschild, are more lax in
structure, more formal in atmos-
phere than in America. No assign-
ments are given and classes are not
monitored. A student late to class
is greeted -by a stamping of feet,
while the professor continues his
lecture unconcerned.

European students seem _ to
Pat interested more in facts than
in method, and papers are discuss-
ed on a factual basis. They find
American students amazingly non-
factual and -very earnest . about
conclusions. to their papers.

As a political and economic in-
fluence the students are of major
importance. They act as a body
and may strike strenuously against
an objectionable professor or reg-
ulation. Even to the casual ob-
server, said Jean Lutz, the lack of
food and the prevalence of the
black market is evident every-
where. Most of Europe is shabby
and dirty; lack of soap is general.
Scandinavia and Switzerland are
more prosperous but Finland is in
poor condition. During her sojourn
there, Jean ate fish and boiled po-
tatoes and slept between paper
sheets. -To Europeans; added Pat,
America means movies, GIs and
tourists.-



Finch Biog. Presents
Lifelike, Vivid Study

Continued from Page 1

Miss.Thomas’..life--in--connection
with Bryn Mawr, interpolating an-
ecdotes and much early history of
the college. Here we see her as
dean and as professor of English,
shaping the traditions, planning
the buildings, always. under the re-
straining hand of President Rhoads;
and later as president herself, an
admirable autocrat, at one time
pulled down into the mire of cal-
umny from which she resurrects
herself, her indomitable spirit un-
quenched.”

M. Carey Thomas, the inexhaus-
tible traveller, the upholder of
women’s rights, the initiator and
leader of numerous projects on
campys and outside the circle of
college interests is not forgotten;
nor are her relationships with her
family, her friends, her beloved
cousin Frank or her love affair
with an unnamed man which is not
over-emphasized, but fully illus-
trates her will not to give up her
own work and life for any man’s.

Through Miss Finch’s biography,



we actually see Miss Thomas with
her slight limp walking around the
campus that she loved so much.
And surely, if we are not drawn
to this violent personality, we will
all agree that she would have been
a wonderful person to know.





LEOPARD COAT

LONG
FINEST SKINS — SIZE 16
PRACTICALLY NEW :
$400.00





Call RI 6-1373—after 4 P. M.





SDA cites Yun !
To Watch Polls

Students for Democratic Action
is the organization on campus
which is working for a liberal rep-
the
United States, explains Margaret
Baish 748; president of the Bry
The SDA is’ affil-

iated with Progressive -Americans

resentative government in

Mawr Chapter:

for Democratic Action. This year
the Bryn Mawr chapter will work
with the Committee of Seventy, a
civil betterment group in Phila-
delphia, on such projects as poll-
watching in 'the November 4 may-
oralty election.

SDA invited students to poll
watch next Tuesday in .Philadel-
phia at the Dilworth-Samuels elec-
tion, under the auspices of this
committee. If you are interested
please give your name to Grace
Dillingham, Rhoads, or Margie
Baish, Pem East, today, as there
is a one-hour indoctrination course
Thursday night.







GIVE YOUR ROOM
THAT
South-of-
| the-Border
Look —
THE

"MEXICAN SHOP
LE - INC,

Ardmore











NEW BOOKS
Postscript to Yesterday
—Lloyd Morris
‘Four in America
—Gertrude Stein
' Country Bookshop
Bryn Mawr











You Rush up to Breakfast
And Find You Are Late,
Do Not Worry ’Cause
You Won’t Have to Wait.

Just Come to the

| ~~ COLLEGE INN

















Taste and T for Throat).

Try Camels. Discover for yourself why, with
smokers who have tried and coinpared, Camels are

the “choice of experience”!



HIS volatile Cuban’s rhythms have been
sweeping the country. Everywhere he’s played,
Desi Arnaz has broken attendance records! And, -
when Desi lights up a cigarette, it’s the brand that’s’
been a national favorite for years and is now making
new records of its own! Yes, more men and women
are smoking Camel cigarettes than ever before!
Why? The answer is in your “T-Zone” (T for



... It’s Desi Arnaz’s—
“I Love to Dance”’* (RCA Victor)









*From the MGM picture: .
“This Time for Keeps’”’

is the

CAMEL

cigarette
for me!










=
Page Four THE COLLEGE NEWS ;
: ' 4
What To Do NOTICES Community Chest | jt #=tP axvouncars -
7 me see x ‘ Tagrres 1. All announcements must
: % accalaureate Speaker mission. oO posters may ack- OQ e be written on file cards, or on
For Federal government posi The Rev. C. Leslie Glenn, of St.|@d on hall doors. pens BM Drive substantial paper of similar
tions in Pennsylvania and Dela- . size.

ware, a local Junior Professional

Assistant examination is announc-
ed. The options are much the same
as those on the general JPA notice
sent from Washington. Archaeoi-
ogist and Psychologist are omitted
and Historian takes the place of
Social Science Analyst with some
All
biologists are eligible for Biologist
(General). :

Applications should be in Phila-
delphia by November 4th. Every-
one who wants a position in these
two states should file in Philadel-
phia even though she has already
sent an application to Washington.

changes in the requirements.

John’s Church, Washington, D. C.,
has-peen- chosen’ as Baccalaureate
speaker by the senior class.

Junior Show
Net profits from the Junior
Show will total approximately
$500, reports Ann Eberstadt, direc-
tor. All proceeds will go to the



“aetna oy quota of the Fund.
| Campaign Heads

Anne Wood, ’48, and Peggy Shi-
|ney, ’48, have been chosen by the
Undergraduate Council as heads of
the current Economy and Clean-up
Campaign.

Silence, Please
Silence is requested in the corri-
dors of the Library and also in

|

Lanterns
Students will have an opportu-
nity to have their lanterns serviced
sometime early in December. New
lanterns may also be bought at}
this time.

League Representative
Lois Maconi*has been elected
Sophomore representative to the
League.

Change in Plays
The Rhoads Freshman play has
been changed to “Hello Out
There,” by William Saroyan. Sue

Soliciting for the annual Com-
munity Chest Drive for the benefit
of the hospitals in’, Philadelphia

and the vicinity will start on Mon-
day, November 3. The hospitals
are operating on a million dollar
deficit this year and need money
desperately if they are to continue
functioning.

The campus drive will last two
weeks. Irina Nelidow, ’50, head of
the student soliciting committee,
urges everyone to contribute to the
utmost because of the immediate



Brody is Freshman stage manager.

and vital needs of all the hospitals.

2. Announcements should: be
typed out or written legibly.

3. Wording should be clear
and concise.

Starting November 1, no an-
nouncement will be read out in
the halls, which does not com-
ply with these regulations.



oman











MEET AT THE GREEK’S

Tasty Sandwiches
Refreshments



Lunches - Dinner













Goodhart, when meetings are go-
Remember the Bureau of Rec-| jing on.
ommendations table in the Reserve
Room of the Library. The books

and pamphlets there are changed



Posters
Miss Agnew requests that no

posters be put up anywhere in the









frequently.
Library without her personal per-
SEND
THAT Compliments
FRESHMAN
ACTRESS of the
CONGRATULATIONS
VIA |

Haverford Pharm
FLOWERS FROM averford Pharmacy

%.
JEANNETT’S













Haverford

\

For Greeting Cards wae ok 4
That Must be Found SEE |

Tres Chic
Skirts

$3.95 to. $8.95

Come to
STOCKTON’S
and Look Around















Now on Sale in the

































Copyright 1947, Liccerr & Myers Tosacco Co.

oe !
#
College Bookshop |
Carey Thomas, of Bryn Mawr |
by Edith Finch |
$3.50
PROFITS FROM SALES TO STUDENTS
GO TO
UNDERGRADUATE FUND QUOTA
What a gal is charming Ruth—
Smart as paint and that's the truth!
Sure, she caught the campus “catch” —
: She wears this stunning hose, so natch!
: ; HOSIERY a
| “ Lhe be y
, SUe« |
: Ae: * FULL-FASHIONED

:






.*.

os

as

E







TRA



“™ ARDMORE and BRYN MAWR, PA., MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1947



DO YOU WANT BIG MAY DAY



Effect Predicted
Of Big May Day
On: Undergrad

By Helen Burch

The following estimations as to
the effect of Big May Day upon
those activities which come under
the sphere of the Undergraduate

Association are necessarily conjec-
tural, based upon what has been
done in the past.

Big May Day would’ redirect the
energies of those participating in
the various musical, dancing and
dramatic groups on campus toward
a unified artistic effort. In 1936
much latent talent was revealed
because of the wide scope of the
production.

This spring the Chorus has pre-
vious commitments with Princeton
and the University of Pennsyl-
vania. Therefore, Chorus members
would be carrying their three
hours a week rehearsal plus the
general May Day activities.

. In 1936 Club meetings and lec-
tures continued: as usual. The
Drive Committee (it is hoped) will

‘have completed most of its work

by spring vacation. Other Under-
grad committees would probably
be unaffected.

Thus, with the possible exception
of the Chorus, Undergrad activi-
ties could be continued, with the
final choice resting in the individ-
ual.

—Athletics
by Elizabeth Bagley

The effects of Big May Day on
athletics at Bryn Mawr would be
felt in two spheres: that of re-
quired physical education and that
of varsity competition.

All students who are taking a
required winter sport would have
two hours of dancing a week in-
stead of the sport they had orig-
in@lly elected to take. This dancing,

af tiPrefore, would start on Monday,

-



The overall effect,
would be one of redirection with
* possible elimination of some var-

December Ist, the first day of the
winter season. After midyears,
everyone who is participating in
May Day would have two hours of
dancing a week.

The effect of Big May Day on
varsity competition is less clear
cut, in that it depends completely
on the decisions of the girls inter-
ested in the various varsities. In
1936 the basketball varsity decid-
ed to continue their games as well
as to participate in May Day. They
did so and would probably be able
to this year if enough people were
interested in playing and were
willing to give up the extra time.
The spring sports would be harder
to maintain, for time would be
more at a premium after spring
vacation. But in any event, all
the facilities for any and every
sport would be available at all
times. :
therefore,

sity sports.







Your Vote -Counts

Big May Day comes up for a vote on Thursday. This
ballot will determine whether 1948 will produce the first Big
May Day since 1936. YOUR vote is important.

Facts have been marshalled and are being presented. In
the News, on the bulletin boards, in hall discussions we have
had or will have an opportunity for learning these facts, and

also opinions, which are important as well as facts.

sit back. Ask questions.

Don’t

Find out how your ‘best friend

feels, how alumnae, Faculty, friends of the college feel.
Weigh the pros and cons carefully. Then form your own

opinion.
paign.

But remember this is in no sense an election cam-
Don’t allow yourself to be influenced by what seems

to be a majority opinion, and don’t try to coerce people into

your point of view.

If you vote yes, it is understood that you will work, or
at least are willing to work, for Big May Day. Once passed,
Big May Day comes first in your extra-curricular activity,
It you vote no, you will have no such work—but you will

have no Big May Day.

— When_you_cast-your-vote,-consider-the—issue not—only
in its relation to you as an individual, but also in its appli-
cation to the college community; think as well of the intan-
gible values involved. Last year’s ballot resulted in a deci-

sion that we vote again this year.

hands.

Big May Day is in YOUR



—League

by Rosamund Kane

The Bryn Mawr League, offshoot
from the Christian Union founded
in 1894, was organized in its pres-
ent form in 1926, and’ has survived

nine May Days. Its function now

is to act as a channeling agency
for people who would like to do
social work. Its activities involve
over one-fifth of the student body

during the current year. Some of

the students participate in activ-

ities that occur regularly; others
in projects that occur intermit-
tently.

Activities such as the summer
camp and the Hudson Shore Labor
School sessions will be uninflu-
enced by May Day. The Maids
and Porters Production and their
dance will continue as usual, The
Weekend Works Camps which are
scheduled for only certain dates
and involve at most, four people
each time are likely to be unaf-
fected.

Other activities wpuld be af-
fected to a greater degree. The
enrollment of readers for the blind
school is so large this year that
each girl will be asked to read only
once every, three weeks. It seems
possible that this activity could
be continued under. these.circum-
stances but the decision to continue
or drop it will rest with the read-
ers. Fewer students are working
at the Haverford-Community Cen-
ter but work on a weekly schedule.
They are desperately needed by the
center every weekday morning and
several afternoons. May Day
preparations might curtail this ac-
tivity severely but again the de-
cision rests with the students in-
volved. The soda fountain might
also be affected.

The schedule of Red Cross ac-
tivities has not yet been completed.
May Day might affect some of the
projects at Valley Forge but cer-
tainly would not affect others such
as knitting very seriously.

In the final anaylsis it seems

that the affect of May Day on the

League depends entirely on those
involved.





—Alhiance

by Joan Hitchcock

The Alliance did not exist “ih
1936, and it is somewhat conjec-
tural how it will be affected by May
Day. As a new organization it
is still growing but is gaining
recognition as a political force by
other colleges and organizations.

The Alliance does much of its
work off campus. Because the
number of these activities has
risen since 1936, more people out-
side the college would be affected
by Big May Day. Work with such
groups as the Industrial Group,
and the SDA require careful plan-
ning to fit the schedules of out-
side organizations. as well as stu-
dents.. These activities require
about one afternoon a week, since
traveling time has to be consid-
ered. It would be difficult to con-
tinue these activities on the same
scale if May Day were held.

The Debate Club and the Stu-
dent Federalist chapters were
formed only last year, but are al-
ready sizeable and active. The
Debate Club could not carry its
heavy schedule if May Day were
held. A good deal of time is re-
quired to prepare a debate. The
SF chapter is planning to run the
local Federalist newspaper this
year which will require much time.

Bryn Mawr attended the ICG
model congress for the first time
two years ago, and has. finally
reached a position of importance
in this congress. It takes many
hours of work to prepare bills to
present to the congress, with the
arguments to support them. The
weight of this work would come
at the time of the heaviest concen-
tration of May Day.

The Alliance work on campus
would be less affected by May Day.
The Assemblies and Current
Events could continue. The mem-
bers of IRC would have less time
for adequate preparation.



THE COLLEGE NEWS
This special issue was _ pre-
pared by the Undergraduate
Council, with the assistance of
several members of the News
Board.









e e
Qutline Pictures

e e e a
Typical Festivities
Of Big May Day

A picture of a typical Bryn
Mawr May Day is found in an
outline of the 1936 celebration.
Festivities began with the sound
of trumpets heralding the royal
procession which started from Pem
Arch at 2:45. The Queen’s cham-
pion ona white horse, heralds
“most gorgeously apparelled in
black and gold,” archers, the Lord
Steward with a yard-long wand,
nobles and pages preceded the
Queen who appeared carried on a
sedan chair by her nobles and sur-
rounded by beef-eaters in their col-
orful red costumes. She was fol-
lowed by lords and ladies all gor-
geously arrayed in authentic Eliz-
abethan costumes, and the actors
in “Robin Hood’ who include Maid
Marian, Queen of the May. Next
in the procession were the four
white oxen which drew the May
Pole, covered with flowers and sur-
rounded by dancers carrying tife
queen’s crown.

Next in the long procession were
the actors in the various plays,
Midsummer Night’s Dream, The
Creation, The Deluge, St. George
and the Dragon, Gommer Gurton’s
Needle, and The Old Wives‘ Tale.
Interspersed among the groups of
players were lesser but equally
colorful folk including bands of
Morris dancers, milkmaids and
country folk, Fairy children with
May garlands, “Little Scholars
and. their. Dames,” strolling. sing-
ers, animals, tumblers, jugglers,
‘gypsies, and “Stilt Walkers to
| amuse the Folk.”

The Queen and her court 'remain-
ed on Merion Green but the pro-
cession continued behind Merion,
down the hill toward Radnor and
up Senior Row. On the Green the
colorful ceremonies of paying
homage to the Queen of the May
and the raising of the May Pole
took place, watched by the spec-
tators from grandstands along
Taylor and in front of Merion. Fol-
lowing _this,.. Maid’. Marian...was
crowned Queen gf the May by
Robin Hood, “whereat everyone will
sing ‘To the May Pole let us on *
and will dance.

While the activity on the Green
continued, the ringing of Taylor
bell and heralds wearing placards
signified the beginning of the plays
which were given at various
points on the campus including
Merion Green, the foot. of senior
row by the sun dial, the hollows by
the hockey fields, the Cloister, the
Deanery garden and in front of
the Library. Each play was given
three times, at 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30
so that spectators might see more

days and the above procedure was
followed on Friday and Saturday
although in case of rain, Friday’s
performance was given on Monday.



fran one.
Big May Day was in reality two |.

Thursday's Vote Will Decide
Fate of Big May

Day This Year

The required undergrad-
uate vote after lunch on
Thursday will decide whether
or not there will be Big May
Day in 1948 . Big May Day
will be given-if 75% of the
students are in favor of it.
This percentage was recom-
mended by a joint meeting
of the Undergraduate Coun-
cil with the hall and class
presidents, and was ratified
by the Undergrad Board.

At their meeting on October 16
the Board of Directors voted un-
animously—in-favor—of—holding—Big
May Day this spring, provided
that the Faculty and the students
wanted it. In a special meeting
on October 29, the Faculty ‘ voted
by a majority of one to approve
Big May Day, if two-thirds of the
“students present and_ voting”
would support it. This “student”
vote does not include the graduate
school. It is understood that if
May Day is passed, graduate stud-
ent participation would be com-
pletely voluntary.

Big May Day is an extra-curri-
cular activity. However, the aca-
demic year is extended by a week
if it is given, so that no classes are
held the week before. Big May
Day is run to pay for itself.

Big May Day, long a celebration
for which Bryn Mawr was famous
throughout this country and
abroad, has not been held since
the spring of 1936; imminence of
war prevented it being held in
1940. In 1945 students voted
against holding Big May Day in
1946 but requested that the ques-
tion be raised again. Last fall a-
poll was taken in which 79% of
the undergraduates voted. Of these,
62% were in favor of May Day.

Because none of the present un-
dergraduates has ever seen a Big
May Day, at least during her
Bryn Mawr years, the Undergrad-
uate Council, after careful research
has undertaken to present the facts
and issues involved as completely
and = impartially possible,
through bulletin boards, a News
extra, and a program of hall dis-

as

cussions.



1936 CALENDAR

Dec: 1—Dancing as. required
sport for all Freshmen and
Sophomores.

Before Christmas—Choice of
Director and Manager.

Feb. 4—Two hours a week
dancing for all undergraduates.
Undergraduate committees or-
ganized.

Feb. 4-18-——Tryouts for plays
—Open to all. ;

March 15—Two hours a week
permitted for formal rehearsal
—more, informally.

After ‘spring vacation—Great
intensification of activity in all
spheres.

Week before May Day—No
classes. Much rehearsing.

Thursday—Dress. rehearsal.

Friday and Saturday — Per-
formance.

Year lengthened by one week
—June 1-8.














Page Two



Editor’s Note .

The Undergraduate Council, as
a body, has taken no definite stand
in regard to Big May Day. Opin-
ion letters have been printed in
the order received. Olther letters
for Fhich space did not allow but
which met the Friday night dead-
line will be posted on the May Day
bulletin board in Taylor. Please
read them.

* : e
To the Editor:

As the discussion of Big May
Day develops, I find I wish to ex-
press a strong opinion on one
point.

One of the arguments brought
forward against May Day is “the
state of the world.” I am so fully
aware that “the state of the world”
is not encouraging, that, inade-
quately but with persistence, I
have tried to do something about
it. Twenty-four school children
sent to camp this summer. would
vouch for that.

However, I cannot see any rela-
tion between May Day and “the
state. of the world.” The dispro-
portion is somehow shocking. I
find myself quite strongly resent-
ing the fact that the tragic dif-
ficulties of many people are made
use of as an argument in so local
and unimportant a problem. They
deserve more respect.

It is natural that the “state of
the world” should plunge us into
gloom. It ig, however, not proved
that our + ae is of any more
value in the solution of the prob-
lems that are pending than would
be the representation of some
Elizabethan plays on the green.

I therefore hope that we can
keep our discussions free of such
dubious arguments,

The reasonable ground for our
debate can only be the following:
Of what value is May Day to Bryn
Mawr as an institution, to Bryn
Mawr as a community?

Germaine Bree
* ok *

To the Editor:

I am against Big May Day; the
game isn’t worth the candle!
WHY?

1. Why expend all of this energy
on a fertility cult of a country
several thousand miles removed
and a festivity that was out of
date 300 years ago. Surely a re-
vival of American-Indian cere-
monials (were this possible) or an
Up-state Clambake would be no
less inappropriate. May Day does
not utilize nor inspire the best in
British or American art.

2. Why, if Bryn Mawr needs en-
couragement in the creative arts
(as is frequently stated), continue
with a festival that has never, so
far as I am aware, stimulated any
poet, dancer, or artist to any crea-
tive work? It isn’t a genuine peas-
ant bean feast; it isn’t an artistic
contribution.

3. Is the only way to create
community spirit-a sort of Nazi
“strength through joy’? movement,
of military discipline? Personally,
I find every action on the campus
demands cooperation. My classes,
to me at ieast, represent activity
mutual to student and teacher. My
friendships reward life in this com-
munity. Must we organize our
pleasure on a mass basis?

' 4, Is this festival worth the loss
of what little remains of the most
prized and today most rare reward
‘of academic life—chances for cul-
tivated leisure? Maybe we don’t
have it now but why not work to-
wards it rather than aggravate
the shortage? Spring in Bryn
Mawr is divine when you have the
time to enjoy it. The -campus
lovelies always agreeable to watch.

Some recollections of Big May Day
_ are more colored by those perman-













ent features of the landscape than
mine, but to this admirer an at-
tempt’ to regiment us all into or-
ganized communal spring cere-
mony springs from the deepest
misconceptions which in other and
more serious connections lead to
many of the most sinister develop-
ments in the modern world.
Perhaps I am being more serious
about Big May Day than it war-

rants, but I feel very strongly that.

the arguments for it are weak and
those against it warrant stating
seriously.
Yours faithfully,
Caroline Robbins
* * * ;

‘0 the Editor:

This suburban sacre du _prin-
temps smacks too much of Helen
Hokinson to be worth the loss of a
semester’s co-operative enterprise
ot teacher and student.

Yours truly,
Stephen J. Herben

* oe

To the Editor:

“Let’s declare war on all things
slovenly and dispirited” says Eric
Linklater in Time and Tide. This
is exactly our proposal: to declare
the same war at Bryn Mawr. The
Battlefield is to be May Day.

Bryn Mawr’s student organiza-
tion has-been-run-on-the-principle
of decentralization for years. This
system, admittedly successful, ne-
cessitates the creation of a count-
ering element bringing unity. Big
May Day every four years served
this purpose. Twelve years have
now passed; isn’t it time that we
work together as Bryn Mawr stu-
dents for Bryn Mawr?

Educationally, intellectually, co-
operatively May Day is an experi-
ence. It seems impossible to con-
sider a thing selfish from which so
many derive pleasure and benefit.

As to the world crisis, materially
we deprive Europe of nothing—
neither food, nor scarce articles.

But whether May Day be a uni-
fying element or an experience, it
can be, as Linklater says of the
Edinburgh Festival “merely a festi-
val—signifying nothing but itself—
it is justified in itself. As a tall man
at a bar said, ‘culture by the hand-
fuls, I never thought I’d like it,
but by God, it’s FUN!’” May Day
will be fun!

Ada Clayton Klein ’48
Page Hart ’48
Margo Vorys ’49
* * *
To the Editor:

With regard to the question of
Big May Day, we feel that certain
important aspects must be consid-
ered before the college enters upon
such an enormous undertaking.
The first of these pertains to the
unquestionable lavishness of the
May Day spectacle. Although pag-
eantry and college festivals may
have aroused great interest and
enthusiasm in 19386, when the last
Big May Day took place, their gen-
eral tone has been replaced by con-
siderations of a more practical na-
ture. Big May Day will attract
much notice and publicity to the
college, but it may very well De
adverse publicity — large-scale
spending on non-essential enter-
prises does not invite favorable
comment from newspapers and
magazines.

The disadvantages to campus ac-
tivities should be considered. Po-
litical and @rtistic groups now en-
gaged in opening up more and
more new fields would be forced to
direct their efforts towards the
single field of this Elizabethan fes-
tival, or even to drop their previ-
ous work entirely.

The opposition to Big May Day
is not a selfish one, considering
only its disruptive effect on cam-
pus life. We are as eager to ob-
tain material and moral support



for the college as is anyone who
understands her need of it. We
do’ not, however, wish to see the
wrong effect produced, and an ap-
peal to tradition turned into an
affront to public taste.
Barbara Nugent, ’48
Betty Coleman, ’48.
Sylvia Stallings, ’48
Leila Bean Jackson, ’48
Lindsay Harper, ’48
Patricia Hochschild, ’48

* * *

To the Editor:

Since the News has gee in-
vited correspondence coréerning
Big May Day, I should like to offer
two points for consideration. First,
in the matter of publicity. That a
May Day show would attract at-
tention to the College is certain,
but it may be questioned whether
the kind of publicity we should get
is altogether desirable. If certain
people outside already think (I be-
lieve they do) that Bryn Mawr is
too much preoccupied with what is
traditional, picturesque and obso-
lete, I can think of nothing that
would strengthen that belief bet-
ter than white oxen, Queen Eliza-
beth and her court, and Robin
Hood according to Howard. Pyle.
Second, I would like to urge a
careful consideration of the effect
which preparation for so elaborate
a pageant must have, not only on
the academic course, but on the
activities of the Alliance and
League, as on all organized dra-
matic, choral and athletic pro-
grams.

Richmond, Lattimore

* * *

To the Editor:

Although consideration of
whether or not Big May Day
should be held again seems to
crystallize in two main questions
—the effect of such an undertak-
ing on the general public and on
the student body, since the primary
decision rests with the latter I be-
lieve that the effect on them is the
more important.

Big May Day will demand the
time and energy of almost the en-
tire student body in some capacity.
However, if people will take the
attitude that we are mature in-
dividuals—at Bryn Mawr primarily
but not purely for an education—
they will realize that no student
will completely sacrifice her aca-
demic work to Big May Day any-
more than to other campus activ-
ities. As far as senior compre-
hensives are concerned, there is no
problem since the main burden for
Big May Day will rest on the
Junior class.

Next there is the question of
whether or not campus activities
will suffer because of Big May
Day. There is no doubt that dur-
ing the last two or three weeks in
April, there may be a serious cur-
tailmentiof activities, but there is
no reason why they cannot con-
tinue. throughout the rest--of--the
year. There are campus organiza-
tions, which have weathered pre-
vious Big May Days; so why not
have faith that they will last
through one more. Personally, I
believe that those activities which
are backed by a real and enthusi-
astic interest on the part of the
students will survive and that
those which may fall by the way-
side will be the activities whose
support and accomplishments were
never very strong. Those who fear
that campus activities will disap-
pear imply a lack of faith in the
very thing they support.

Finally, I think it is clear that
no one at Bryn Mawr believes
world conditions: are conducive to
the presentation of a grandiose

spectacle such as Big May Day. But.

on the other hand, whether or not
we hold this traditional pageant is



not going to change the world sit-
uation very much—especially since
Big May Day will not supplant any
definite effort towards world im-
provement. Furthermore there is

.|now no definite goal which Big

May Day can achieve. The college
as it now stands has no real ‘esprit
de corps, in its extra-curricular ac-
tivities. Since we know Big May
Day will create this, and since no
better way of attaining it has been
proposed, I am pro-Big May Day.
Jean Ellis ’49

* * *

To the Editor:

Having been a graduate student
in 1936, I inevitably take a dim
view of May Day. Though we did
not, naturally, share the under-
graduates’ feelings for Bryn
Mawr’s traditions, as members of
the college community we contrib-
uted our small bit and found that
it took more time than we had
anticipated.

Undergraduates spent infiinitely
more time and some found it too
arduous. At the time, a News edi-
torial pointed out that, when the
student body voted on May Day,
only Seniors, who might be guide}
by sentiment and faint recollec-
tions of probably minor roles ia
their freshman year, had experi-
enced a May Day. It would seem
to me smperative for a student to
try to discover what May Day
would mean to her personally in
hours and energy consumed. Ex-
tra-curricular activities are neces-
sary and valuable, but when they
cut into time that belongs to the
academic, they defeat their own
purpose as well as that of the aca-
demic.

It seems to me wrong to present
a program that is imposed from
without, almost to its last detail,
on the participants rather than
one thai represents original work
or a program chosen by the stu-
dent body. However, if May Day
means something to you, the indi-
viduals who perform it, it is a good
thing and, in a sense, your own.

Since it is never sound simply to
condemn, I would suggest that
May Day, if given, should be cur-
tailed. If there were fewer plays,
if the participants were only those
who were willing (preferably,
eager) and able, much less time
would be required beforehand, and
one day might suffice for the per-
formance. ;
. Delight Tolles

* * td

To the Editor:

The Civil War now raging on
campus over the issue of Big May.
Day has by this time many strong
adherents to both sides. The Non-
May Dayists advance tangible ar-
guments. The usual counter-
attack of the “Pros” is a refuta-
tion of these, relying largely on
something more intangible, call it
“cooperation,” “creativity,” or
what you will. ~This-last-argument
is a paramount one. but first let
us hear a refutation of the “Cons.”

1) Why could not an “imprac-
tical, eélaborate spectacle” be a
good idearfor these times? True,
a first consideration might seem
morally callous. Conditions in
Europe and Asia are bad. We are
contributing materially to their
alleviation. But are we contribut-
ing enough so that a cessation, or
more likely, a partial cessation
would make a difference? If we
were to canvass individuals with-
in reach of the college under a
special relief plan, would this idea
find sufficient support among the
student body, or, among those
whom we solicit? People give, and
have been giving since 1939, to
countless relief agencies through-
out the world, yet they maintain
other interests. Would every pros-



pective member of a Big May Day
audience be willing to put up the
same amount for a distant, though
admittedly more important, cause?
Immediacy is an important factor
in popular interest.
Practically, is May Day publicity
harmful? That will pe seen when
the students vote, as we shall re-
flect the majority opinion of those
interested in the college. Publicity,
even including a small fraction of
unfavorable publicity, is not a bad
thing. We can see for ourselves
how extensive have been tlie write-
ups of former Big May Days, but
would the alternative suggestion
of a relief campaign make a big
splash in any important news-
paper? Must we always be known
as “the toughest, soberest, and
most intellectual?” -

Economically, an outdoor pag-
eant is not necessarily a gamble
with the weather. Our last Big
May Day was covered by insur-
ance.

2) Past experience also decides
the question of the possible lower-
ing of academic standards. Sta-
tistically, the faculty is divided,
and for that reason, it affords an
argument for neither side. This
is an individual matter for each
student. We can do what we want
to-do.

The intangible arguments for a
Big May Day are the exclusive
property of the “Pros.” Coopera-
tion, unification of the student
body, a sense of the accomplish-
ment of something big, something
lasting, are what count. They
cannot be discounted by the op-
position. They are the things we
will remember.

Doris Blackman, ’48.

. * *
Editor’s Note
Mrs. Michels has kindly allowed
us to print the last part of her
letter, which was too long to print

in its entirety. She speaks as an
alumna and as a faculty member.



- . - Spread the excitement at-
tendant on Freshman Show over
all four classes and let it last for
a whole semester,.increasing in in-
tensity, and you will have some
idea of the atmosphere which has
always preceded Big May Day. But
even then you have little picture
of the collapse which comes after-

.| wards, with finals—and now com-

prehensives—staring one in the
face. Extra-curricular activities
play a vital part in college life,
but should they be allowed to en-
croach on the work for which the
college was founded and for which
presumably students come here?

It is often said that the chief
value of May Day lies in the sense
of unity which is produced when
everyone in the College shares in
the same enterprise. This idea has
always puzzled me. Naive as it
may seem, I have always supposed
that we were all, faculty and stu-
dents alike, co-operating in a con-
tinuous enterprise far greater and
of far more lasting value than Big
May Day could ever be. Our unity
should come, and I believe does
come, from within,,from the con-
viction that we are all here, each
in our own capacity, to join in the
search for “wisdom and under-
standing.” The artificial unity im-
posed upon us by’ co-operation in a
temporary project which, when all
is said and done, has very little
real meaning, can, I think, only
hinder the growth of our true un-
ity. May Day unites us only with
the other members of the college
community. The true source of our
unity links us to a far vaster com-
pany, that of all the other men and
women who ever have or ever will
join in the same search.

Agnes Kirsopp Michels