Politics and Politicians

But he soon forgot about advisors and even the CRIMSON's campaign to cut down compulsory classes, as election time was nearing. '26's first venture into politics saw Marion A. Cheek elected President, with Robert G. Allen as Vice-president, Channing. M. Wells, Jr. as Secretary-treasurer, and John N. Watters to the Student Council.

In late March the freshman wrestling team completed its undefeated season, and the class officers set about picking men to head four freshmen committees. Nathaniel S. Hows was appointed Jubilee Chairman; John J. Maher headed the Smoker Committee; Edward R. Nash, Jr. was in charge of Entertainment; and Asa K. Billings, Jr. was appointed Editor-in-Chief of the Red Book. Then, after a week of competition, thirty-seven men made the Finance Committee with Channing M. Wells as Chairman.

Evidently President Lowell's controversy of last term had stirred up some action among the Overseers. On April 9 Negroes in the freshman dorms, but "in the application of this rule, men of the white and colored races shall not be compelled to live and eat together." The Overseers report reaffirmed that the College would not bar any students for racial or religious reasons.

'26 also knew that the Dramatic Club's successful production of Andreev's "Life of Man" would play to New York audiences during vacation. And ambitious thesplans were trying out for the '27 Workshop's production of "Welcome to our City" written by a graduate student named Thomas Wolfe.

Requirements Eased

It was about this time that the University decided to make some changes in its requirements. And the men of '26 discovered they would be the last freshman class required to take five courses during their first year. The new plan called for a four-course freshman schedule, with three C's and a D necessary for promotion.

But the freshmen were more interested in other things than what the next class would be doing. On May 1 they held their first Smoker. They listened to speeches, saw a movie entitled "Dog's Life," and were entertained by the "Freshman Irresistables." The Jubilee with its midnight supper took place a few weeks later.

The year was now drawing to a close and the Overseers had just come out with a report condemning professionalism in sports and urging "Athletics for All" at Harvard. Freshman baseball was getting an excellent start. (It would up the season with a 12-2 record.) Spring was now in full possession of the freshman's faculties.

He saw his first outdoor Glee Club concert and stood on Widener steps, singing Harvardians after it was over.

Some Had It, Some Didn't

On May 9 he had his picture taken with his Class, while the seniors who, according to tradition, had no money to pay for their own photos, stood nearby to beg from the freshman. That morning the CRIMSON had praised the Class of '26 for its spirit and athletic triumphs. "Consequently, after such a satisfactory year, the freshman cannot, in the fulness of their hearts, fail to contribute largess in satisfying sums. They are 'casting their bread upon the waters' ... for in May, 1926, their bread will return again. Such an extremely intelligent and capable freshman class will not neglect this opportunity to provide for old age and an impoverished future." The Seniors get their largess.

By now the Class of '26 was used to exams, and when the last two weeks came around it weathered them without much trouble. His first year in Cambridge was at an end, and it had been a pretty good one, the new sophomore thought as he packed his bags and left for home.

The men of '26 spent their summer either working or travelling, but when September came they were glad to get back to Cambridge. The interval of the last three months had done something to them. They weren't quite sure what it was, but from the moment they walked through the Johnston Gate they seemed to have a new feeling of confidence. The first thing they noticed was the number of changes that had been made during the summer.

New Man in Newell