(The Crimson invites all men in the University to submit signed communications of timely interest. It assumes no responsibility, however, for sentiments expressed under this head and reserves the right to exclude any whose publication would be palpably inappropriate.)

To the Editor of the CRIMSON:

Recently we warmed up to the subject of a compact and uniform cheering section, in order that we might be able to keep up with the rooters of our football opponents. That is half the story; this is the other half.

It is conceivable that we might make uite a noise without cheer leaders; but it is doubtful if that noise would carry the message which organized cheering does. Leadership brings out the spirit of the crowd. And some men can get a bigger response than others.

The cheer leaders of years past have been men appointed because of their popularity and what they have done in athletics. Often they have led cheering well; at other times we have thought them better athletes than cheer leaders, for there is a technique in leading cheers as there is in football. Moreover, cheer leaders, like football players, are sometimes born with the knack. A competition for leaders, then, where action, voice, personality, and popularity count would not be without merit.

We have heard the cheering and watched the leaders of other schools with mingled admiration and jealousy. Perhaps we could do as others do in cheering under competitive leadership. R. W. HOSKINS '23

October 3, 1921.