To the Editors of the CRIMSON:

A letter in the CRIMSON of January 12 calls attention to the recent losses from the Union Library. The Committee is disturbed that books should begin to disappear again as they did during the first year of the Union's existence, for the intervening period has been almost free from this annoyance. There is unfortunately little that the Committee itself can do beyond giving the matter such a measure of publicity as to rouse public opinion against the practice. A strict surveillance of the library rooms and watching men as they go back and forth is out of the question. It would almost be better to close the library altogether that to destroy the sense of freedom and of private ownership that characterizes it.

If the loss is the result of downright theft, the work is no doubt done by a single individual who will almost inevitably be discovered and can then be expelled from the Union and from the University. If, however, it comes from a carelessness of others' rights, from an unwillingness to "play the game fairly," the case is harder to deal with, though only a relatively few men may be involved. Most clubs are exclusive precisely in order that men of this stamp may be kept out. We are trying to run the Union on a generous democratic basis, and we insist that every Harvard man who wants them should enjoy the privileges of the House. If we are to succeed, two things are essential; every man must be willing to combine with his pleasure of private ownership an admission of joint ownership, and take no unfair advantage; and we must all see that a healthy public opinion in regard to such matters is keenly felt and strongly expressed. WILLIAM C. LANE, Chairman Library Committee of the Harvard Union.