In another column is a communication from the chairman of the Scholarship Committee of the Student Council setting forth the history of the recent efforts to secure an improvement in the administration of the oral examinations. This year, through the committee mentioned, a persistent and intelligent campaign has been carried on. The Student Council has not only been careful and specific in its recommendations, but has approached the subject from the point of view of the scholarly student, not merely from that of the disappointed athlete.

Yet no iota of success has attended these efforts. At a recent meeting, the Faculty not only rejected all of the recommendations, but made no move to substitute anything in their stead. It seems, then, that the Faculty means to jog along in the same old way, in the face of persistent and almost unanimous opposition from students of all grades and interests.

Before the present system is given the sanction of tradition, no one should for get that it is nothing more than a prolonged experiment. It was devised in order to insure at least a reading knowledge of either French or German among all students of Junior standing. If the method in force fails to attain this end, it should be open to correction.

Undergraduate opinion is overwhelmingly in favor of the contention that the purpose of the examinations is not attained. A few minutes' hurried reading of a selection which may range in subject matter from architecture to fiction is not a dependable test. The man whose special field is chemistry, whose need and probable ability lies in scientific German, is likely to be asked to read a description of the battle of Sadowa, or the retreat from Moscow. This means not only a wrong emphasis, but a decided and unfair advantage to the man who happens to draw something "in his line." Moreover, it frequently happens that the candidate is too nervous to do himself justice. Why does it so often happen that a man passes, without any intervening study, the examination which floored him a few months before? And as for the penalty of probation, it is evident that no sentiment to make it the disgrace it should be can be aroused as long as it follows upon so haphazard a test.

Two general improvements in the system are needed: A more dependable method of examination, and a saner remedy. The Student Council has recommended, and the Faculty has rejected. It is therefore not unreasonable to look to the Faculty for new measures.