(Ed. Note--The Crimson does not necessarily endorse opinions expressed in printed communications. No attention will be paid to anonymous letters and only under special conditions, at the request of the writer, will names be withheld.)

To the Editor of the CRIMSON:

As members of the class of 1938, we feel that the elections of class officers if not being held according to the democratic principles which the university intends to foster. In the first place, exactly three-fourths of the candidates were nominated by a committee or council composed solely of upperclassmen: one sophomore, two juniors, and one senior. We do not in any way, however, object to the selections made by the members of that committee. We merely object to having upper classmen select our candidates. We feel that the candidates should be nominated by the Freshmen--every candidate, not merely one fourth of them. There are several ways in which this could be done: the petition method might be used, but the required number of signers should be raised from 25 to.100; each dormitory or entry might choose a candidate or a nominating committee composed of representatives of the Freshman Dormitories might name the candidates.

As the election is now being carried out, it resembles a popularity or bathing-beauty contest more than it does an election of class officers. These officers are mere figureheads under the present system; therefore, we feel that if there are going to be officers, they should be intrusted with some responsibilities other than appearing at the Freshman Jubilee.

The average Freshman knows less than half of the candidates and votes for those he knows best. Therefore we believe that more time and opportunities for consideration of the nominees should be allowed members of the class and that there should be fewer nominees. There has been a noticeable lack of interest in and knowledge of the elections which we believe is due to the lack of publicity given to the election by those in charge. (Names withheld by request.)