Need Prominent Men's Time

The writer of this report does not pretend that he is better than anyone else in this respect; he has probably been worse. In a final report, however, one hopes to pass on to future officers something which will suggest to them what the Brooks House ought to be. The same number of prominent men in each class should be giving all their extra time to Brooks House as are giving it, for example, to the Crimson.

The Building itself should be used more by the college at large, and all speakers on religious topics should come to the Brooks House for their speeches. This is very strongly the plan of your next president, and therefore my voicing it is superfluous.

Conversion By Argument Best

As for interest in speakers, controversial speakers draw the largest crowds, as evinced by the Dr. Grant and Dr. Straton meetings. Of course men like Bishop Lawrence, who hold a great position in the Church, are not included in this discussion. But the quickest way to interest the undergraduates is to get them arguing. And arguing is the only way they will ever come to cement their plastic beliefs. It is good for them to disagree, for only by refuting someone else can they convince themselves. Some may believe that argument and controversy have no place in true religion. If that is the case, true religion has no place among young men.

Urges 7 O'clock Chapel

The Chapel Hour should be changed to seven o'clock. I warrant that the more men there are at Chapel, the more men there will be who take an interest in Brooks House. This seems like putting the cart before the horse. Nevertheless, all these things are closely connected in the interest--or present lack of it--towards religious matters in the University.

In past years, the custom has been too much to perform Brooks House duties as necessary and unavoidable routine--tedious work which one owes to the community. That is a totally false idea,--Brooks House work can be made more interesting than any other activity in the University, if once it can be made to strike the fancy of the undergraduates, and if once the officers make it their sole "outside" activity.

The work of the Graduate Secretary deserves praise surpassing the praise of mere amateur enthusiasm. He has carried the active responsibility and his unremitting faithfulness has been a back-bone to the undergraduates, and should be a model.

Phillips Brooks House has all the potentialities of a sudden great expansion, in interest and in work done. So far that expansion has not come. Will it come next year? Respectfully submitted,   B. M. Henry '24, President.

Financial Standing "Compares Favorably" With Other Years

The fiscal year for the Phillips Brooks House Association does not end until May 31. Consequently at this time it is impossible to give a complete statement of the finances for the year 1923-24.

The opening week of College was held the annual financial drive with three district chairmen, G. P., Baker '25, Morrison Mills '25, and W. L. Boyden '25. Under their direction eighty-four canvassers, members of the Senior, Junior, and Sophomore classes, did the actual work of collection. As the result of this drive the contributions from undergraduate members of the University amounted to $3,947.60. In addition to this there have been contributions of over $1,000 from members of the Graduate Schools, the Law School, the Dental School, and the Medical School. The total contributions amounted to $4,963.40. Added to this were contributions of graduates proper of $3,212.78. Also friends of the Association and members of the faculty gave $705. Thus the grand total of contributions amounted to $8,881.40.

The expenditures have included the usual items for stenography, printing, postage, stationery, telephone, and other office expenses. The bank balance April 1st was $1,759.96. As these figures indicate, the financial condition of the Phillips Brooks House Association at the present time is very satisfactory and compares very favorably with the condition in recent years.  Respectfully submitted,  GARDNER COWLES '25, Treasurer.

Christian Association Wants More "Personal Appeal"