< B E A V E R E ING NEWSPAPER OF THE STUDENTS' UNION, LONDON SCHOOL Of ECONOMICS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE (UNIVERSITY OF LONDON), MAY, 1953 3d.—MONTHLY GRANTS UP BY £t9 UNION MEETS LCC AFTER LONDON DAY STUDENTS' AWARD A FTER protracted negotiations between the Grants and Fees Com mittee of the London School of Economics Union, working on behalf oi other London colleges as well as LSE, and the Londou County Council's Edu cation Committee, the LCC has decided to increase the grants of day stude'nts by £19 per annum. An intensive campaign for increases in educational awards has be^en in progress for some time, and, in this report, written for "Beaver" by hlarold Cohen, LSE Grants and Fees Officer, ^ome idea is given of the steps'; that were taken and of the results achieved; jY/FEMBERS of Union Council give a traditional LSE welcome to Beaver on his return to the School after a three-month imprisonment in Suburbia. MORNING PRAYERS AT LSE A morning service, the first of a series organised by the Student Christian Movement and the London Inter-Faculty Christian Union, was held in the Graham Wallas Room at LSE on the second Wednesday of term. This report on the service and on the scheme of which it is part was contributed to " Beaver " by the President of the LSE branch of SCM, Miss Rachel Gray: — "The idea of holding a weekly morning service of worship sprung from a discussion over lunch one day, when the suggestion was put forward by a student who is not a member of any of the religious societies in the School. He said he felt that there should be a time when Christians could worship together, not as members of a particular denomination or society, but as members of the Christian Church. "The two Protestant societies discussed the matter together and decided that they would organise these services for an experimental period. Two alternatives were open to them—first, they could ask a local minister to lead the worship, or, secondly, students themselves could take the services. It was felt that, while the services were only 'on trial' they would be more fluid and adaptable if led by students, so several Christians were each asked to be responsible for taking a service. "The first service was well supported, and, it was felt, fulfilled admirably as well as proved the existing need. But we are anxious to know what others think about it. Is the idea a good one? Should the services continue? Are they held at the right time? Are they taking the right form? Should we ask our friends on the staff to lead our worship? We cannot move forward unless we know your views. Write to us or to the Editor of " Beaver" and give us your opinions. But, above all, come and worship with us on Wednesday mornings at 9.30." JACK HOBBS LTD. SPORTS OUTFITTERS OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS to THE SCHOOL 59, FLEET STREET London, E.C.4 CEN. 2139 PETITION AND POLL "In LSE we conducted both a petition and a Gallup Poll. The petition, which was carried out on a number of days, received poor support from students—a fact which is hard to believe, since the question of grants affects each and every student. The Gallup Poll was run on a smaller scale and prepared only at short notice, but it did, however, receive some support, and the figures obtained gave us an interesting guide to the conditions under which students are living. "A meeting was held with representatives of other colleges and a general plan of campaign formulated. It was decided that LSE should tackle the LCC, while other colleges should help by obtaining signatures for petitions and asking for information from grant-holders. COUNCILLORS CIRCULARISED "A deputation was arranged to see the Chairman of the LCC Education Committee, Councillor Margaret Cole, and this proved to be of benefit to both sides, allowing as it did for an exchange of views. Letters were sent to ail members of the LCC setting out grievances and drawing attention to the wide gap between LCC grants and those laid down in the Ministry of Education scale. Several encouraging replies were received and we are keeping in touch with the councillors who have expressed sympathy with our cause. "A Second deputation met the leader of the LCC and the Chairman of the Grants Sub-Committee, and, at this meeting we were informed that day students' grants would be increased by some £19. In addition, many other points were thrashed out and we came out of the meeting feeling that our work had achieved at last some worthwhile results. HARDSHIP FUND "Perhaps the most important piece of information we obtained as a result of a meeting with Coun. Haywood and Coun. McKinnon - Wood was that the LCC have-a hardship fund of a considerable sum with which they assist genuine cases of hardship among students. This fund can be used by any student whose grant is not adequate; and who has not got an LCC grant but who can prove that he is suffering as a result of not having an award. "Any LCC student who can prove that he is suffering as a result of inadequate finance can appeal to the LCC for relief from this fund. Any student who considers that he or she falls iinto either c*f these categories should not hesitate to contact me as soon as possible." (Photograph by Roger Hadley). BEAVER IS BACK . MASCOT RETRIEVED THROUGH DIPLOMATIC NEGOTIATIONS J^EAVER, the wooden-carved, gold-painted mascot of LSE Students' Union, missing from the School since it was removed by two unknown girls last November, has been retrieved as a result of negotiations carried out by Union President Gideon Ben-Israel during the Lent Term, and is now back at LSE. In an interview with a " Beaver " reporter, Mr. Ben-Israel gave these details of how the mascot was returned to Houghton Street: — "Three years ago LSE made a raid on the College of Estate Management and captured their Union mascot, a stuffed owl named Oswald. At the time of that rag the French President, M. Auriol, was on a state visit to London and the LSE Rag Committee appropriately decided to present Oswald to him as a token of Anglo-French friendship. M. Auriol accepted the gift with delight, and, on his return to France, presented the owl to the Sorbonne University, where, as far as we know, it has remained on exhibition ever since. REPRISAL "The removal of Beaver was carried out by students of the College of Estate Management as a reprisal for this. "When we discovered Beaver was missing a group of students from LSE made a thorough check on GEM but were unable to find any trace of our mascot, although we did find the Three Tuns signboard, which had been missing since the November 5 rag. We had secret information that GEM were, in fact, in possession of Beaver, however, so I contacted the President of CEM's Union to see if anything could be achieved through diplomatic channels, but he knew nothing about the matter. Further investigation revealed that the culprits were members of a GEM underground rag society, and, on account of this, it proved extremely difficult to carry out any negotiations at all. "Eventually, however, I managed to contact the leader of the rag movement and, at a dramatic meeting at a small cafe somewhere in London, he undertook to send Beaver back provided we agreed to contact the French Government in an effort to retrieve Oswald for them. It was arranged that they should bring our mascot to the Usikugoma Social but they got the wind up, thinking we might be arranging to play some trick on them, and tiiey eventually returned it some days beforehand. RAG UNTRADITIONAL "The rag was not carried out under the usually accepted tradition, and, as Beaver was kept in secret instead of open captivity, there was really no other way of getting it back; thus, the decision to resort to diplomatic negotiation with an unrecognised body was determined by circiimstances beyond our control. Beaver was taken when the previous Union Council was in office and it was not, in fact, the responsibility of the present Council, but we felt that it was a matter of hoijour, if nothing else, to retrieve the mascot as soon as possible. "The fact that we did not get Beaver back by means of a rag was not because of lack of effort on our part but due to the fact that the mascot was not kept at GEM but at a private house some considerable distance away — a hiding place that would have been impossible to discover. It was partly as a result of this that the University of London Union again discussed the question of rags and decided to bring into force a rag agreement designed to ensure sportsmanship and good spirit so that, in future, occurrences of this kind will be avoided." r 'Uiiioii, 1)1 ''of Economics, 'Houghton Street, London, W.C.2. Tel: HOL 4872 3itor....................John M. Dunkley Asst. Editor.........Rosemary Ellcrbeck Features Editor..............Bernard Dix Sports Editors..............Frank Tomlin Peter Kennett Business Manager......Harold Frankel Circulation Manager...Glenda Griffiths SENATE HOUSE LIBRARY AT LSE students grumble because, when they go to the Library for a book, someone else already has it out, or because they cannot find a seat in the often overcrowded reading rooms. At Senate House, on the other hand, it is not the student body but the Library stall who show concern — concern because they feel that not enough is known or enough use made of the facilities the University Library has to offer ! "We feel that not as many students are taking advantage of the Library as could be," The Goldsmiths' Librarian, Mr. J. H. P. Paflord, told me when under a scheme sponsored by ULU for editors of college newspapers, he took me on a tour of the library. Although there has been a large increase in the numbers using the Library recently, he said, there were still far too many undergraduates who did not use Senate House Library at all, and some, even, who did not know of its existence. "It is true that wc are mainly an arts library and our coverage of certain subjects is, I am afraid, rather patchy," he added, "but wc are building up stocks rapidly and I feci sure that our additions now will make the collect invaluable in the years to coiit" - "Even if a student does n'^t intend to use the Library regularhi > ^ would still advise him to obtai' ^ ^ Borrower's Ticket—if only fo-r the odd book he cannot get fr 'oni his own college library," hty said. '•iV'Scial interest to students at LSE is the Goldsmiths' Library, which contains an unrivalled collection of early works on economics, and the Middlesex Libraries, with their collections of examination papers, college calendars, law reports, bibliographies, and catalogues. The Periodicals Room has 3,000 current publications, and, in addition to a useful lending library (open 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.), a music library and special map and palaeography room, there are more than 20 specialised collections. The great majority of the books are not on the open shelves but arc available for use in the reading rooms (open 9.30 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, and to 6 p.m. Saturdays). There is also a system of postal lending, applicable anywhere in the British Isles providing borrower pays postage.—J .M .D. Drama : " HIGHLY INFLAMMABLE "---- IF "Highly Inflammable," Gilbert Bennett's latest play, belied the note of brooding intensity struct by Hoist's mosaic, Anglo's very masculine set, and a Rhys Walters autographed opening shot of a darkened and intriguing stage, it proved pleasant enough light comedy at its first performance by the Cabal Theatre Group in the Old Theatre at LSE. Cunningly constructed and well sustained, it scampered cheerfully along the political highways of the 1965 Welfare Utopia in which men and horses have once more come into their own. very easily, but without satire which puncturcd or wit which remained in the mind. 1 he situation is late Shaw, the dialogue early Coward, and the general clfcct. apart from a jarring intrusion by Slim Callaghan in Act Three, as easy to take as candy floss—and about as substantial. Rhys Walters tried to make the Prime Minister more than an outline of the Man of Destiny and caught fire very successfully in Act II. The rest of the cast, realising very properly that (.Continued in column 4). ""-^d last HOW THEY CAME HERb And where they hope to go The first of a series of features on LSE's older students—those who gave up jobs to come back to school—this article is by ''^Beaver" colitninist, IV. Wolff. J^T was the Board of Trade that finally turned Christine Minn's footsteps in the direction of Houghton Street and Clare Market, or rather it was 'Miss Daphne Henderson, an LSE graduate herself and BoT civil servant, who .suggested to Christine that she steer the same course. She fell in with the suggestion, and after a year's evening classes at the Regent Street Poly., arrived at LSE last October to "begin a life of leisure," which, however, she expects to get "more hectic" as time goes on. -A Ti Uni\ •eai Has Political Activity ^ivcii LSE a Bad ]\aine ? e "NO! " SAY SOCIETY CHAIRMEN ti. «11 ; question was put to the chairmen of the five political societies at the School; I and, in, the articles printed below, four of them give their views on the subject • The fifth did not send in a contribution. Xhe ^authors are Don Last, Chairman of the Labour Society; Peter Linfoot, Vice-cUairman of the Liberal Society; R. A. Sanders, Chairman of the Commn""'®' Society; and Bob Williams^ Chairman of the Conservative Society. Miss Christine Minns Meanwhile, she is supremely happy, for no reason in particular, but then Christine is one of those who do not need reasons for being happy. By the same token she thinks LSE a "fine place," and is able to feel joy as well as take pride in our college colours. She first entered the Civil Service as a clerk at the age of 16 in 1947, thinking its attraction superior to those of sixth-form Latin and German at Tiffin Girls' School, Kingston-on-Thames. She spent two years with the Control Commission for Germany, dealing chiefly with matters relating to the Commission's internal administrative machine, and it was at that time she got very close to LSE, for she was given one day off' per week to continue her instruction at a college in nearby Kingsway. For the rest, her hours were grim—9 a.m. to 5.30—but after passing her executive grade exam in 1949 she went to the BoT to work on production statistics. Granted Leave She has now been granted three years' unpaid leave by the Civil Service (grants are making up for the "unpaid") to come to LSE, and when she goes back she hopes to get a chance to specialise in Town and Country Planning. That is her special interest, and a special interest with Christine can only be an enthusiasm. At LSE. therefore, she is specialising in Geography. Her extra-curricular activities include the captaincy of the Ladies' Badminton Club, committee membership of the YHA, and as much "Kultur" (with a capital "K" and no "e" by her request) as her eyes and ears can capture and her pocket afford. MUSIC SOCIETY At the annual meeting of LSE Music Society the following officers were elected; President, Mr. Donald Harris; secretary, Mr. Derek Howard; treasurer, Mr. John Clark; orchestra officer. Miss Barbara Stapleton; choir officer. Miss Elsie Flint; gramophone secretary. Miss Merle Beech. The Musical Director of the Society, Mr. Graham Garton, has resigned on taking up the post of Music Master at Rep ton School. t MR. LAST: It is a 'problem to know what constitutes a'', bad reputation. It is even more d''fficult, therefore, to decide whether active a participation in politics ''has created one for LSE. Presumai'^ly our critics think that we take our politics far too seriously. In politicall y naive student circles—unfortunate ly the largest—this is a great crime am'-' one sufficient to damn us in their eye^s without further discussion. For the'ii' activity in politics is synonynK''us> with corruption, petty scheming • and axe-grinding. Those who dab;'bic are Machiavellian; those who do ^not preserve their honour. There ar;C therefore only two sets of persons /nivolved in politics: the dirty politici?-'ns and the pious bystanders. i.'..e former manipulate; the latter are manipulated. So runs the diatribe, and, since LSE shows great activity, she is treated with a good dose of this naive twaddle. That, however, may not be the sole source of criticism. It is a well known fact that there is no love lost between the various colleges. Those that are msignificant are treated with indifference. Those that achieve some fame in a particular field, far from having their proficiency ' recognised, are the target for biased vituperation. It would seem that our critics have fastened upon our predominant trait— politics—have conjured up some woolly recriminations, and have become more convinced of their reasonableness the more they have repeated them like parrots. As before, there are no real grounds for criticism—it is merely a (Question of finding a rod to beat us with. The accusations are the same—play acting, petty politicians —but the source of the grievance is a little different, being a sense of inferiority rather than pure naivety. LSE's alleged bad reputation may spring from yet another cause. We are renowned as a "hot-bed of agitation against the exploitation of man by man," and this pre-eminently socialistic outlook is quite unique amongst the other colleges, who are largely of right-wing extraction. It is therefore to be expected that we should be accused of all the political skullduggery that's going merely because of the colour of our politics; like throwing things at the man playing the piano not because of the merits or demerits of his performance, but because one dislikes the tune he's playing. It is not the conduct of our politics that is such a source of grievance, but the ends to which it is directed. Naivety, inferiority complex, and political colouring seem to be possible grounds for the criticisms of LSE, for actual, active participation in politics cannot reasonably be put forward as a basis for a bad reputation. It is just that participation which creates responsibility, a corporate spirit, and the knowledge requisite for the successful working of a democracy. One doesn't avoid politics by "keeping-out," for that is merely a negative form of political action, and if one cannot abstract oneself from political life, then one sh(j)uld make a positive contribution by being active. Of course, one's conduct in being active is a diff'erent matter. If we have a bad reputation it must be because of our conduct in political affairs, not because of our activity. The two are simply not the same. And if it is our conduct which is being questioned, then 1 think that we ourselves are the best judges of that. MR. LINFOOT: Many of the economic and political solutions which have flooded out of the LSE in the last fifty years have been out of line with Liberal ideas. This has led, in certain sections of the Liberal Party, to a distrust of all that emanates therefrom. But in writing this, one is apt to confuse the faculty with the students, the former, including the Webbs, Laski and Beveridge, having a very much greater influence. In any university, college, or school, political activity, whatever colour it may lake, should always be welcome, and in such an institution as the LSE one would expect great interest. But, is this so? Out of a total of 2,000 odd students only about 400 belong to the political societies. One can hardly say that this is a "too active participation" in politics, although for some individuals this may, indeed, be so. A reputation, good or bad, can, of course, be made as easily by a small minority as the majority, especially When the majority is apathetic. It may be conTplained that there are plenty of other activities, athletic, social, intellectual, religious and union, besides trying to achieve some success in one's exams, which leave little time for political pursuits. Besides, studying politics and economics, one needs a change in spending one's leisure. It is not wise to neglect politics which affect everyone. It is, indeed, a pity that the students of the LSE do not take a greater part in politics, especially Liberal politics. The latter, though, is a rising force, even in the LSE. The new radical approach of Free Trade, Sound Money, Copartnership in Industry, the Taxation of Land Values, Liberty for the Subject, and Parliamentary Reform is coming to the fore to-day. If the students of the LSE help to make this a reality for the future, their reputation will be very good indeed. MR. SANDERS: The question, of course, raises the fundamental point—what is the purpose of the University? Wc in the Communist Society regard a university training as a technical training for a purpose, viz: to enable the student with the knowledge he has acquired to play, in post-university life, a leading part in the organisation and development of society. Training or teaching of any kind is wasted if not directed to this end. In some of the older universities, with their traditions of classicism— sunmied up in MGM's slogan "((/¦N (jraVm art in"—there are no bones made about the fact that their kind of study is not equipment for social development, which is regarded as being some shameful distance beneath the lofty study of an Horatian ode. This attitude, however, is an end product of Victorian conservatism, with no place in modern social conditions. The aim of a university must not be the seclusion of the student from life, but his introduction to the social problems which must later be his concern. (¦Continued on page 4, column 3) (Continued from Column I), any real characterisation would burst the balloon, cartooned it very well— especially Julie Barron, effervescing as the eternal Eve, Rosemary Sands, the turning worm, supported by the alcoholic blathering of John Webb. A production which disarmed criticism, but give us something heavier next lime PLEASE.—P.T.A. BEAVER 3 Sleepy Sickness at LSE ARE ECONOMISTS APATHETIC? These two articles by students of the School give the arguments for and against.....- BY "CASSIA" ^NCE upon a time there was a student at LSE by the name of Goldstein, who earned himself a Ph.D. with a thesis on the way British trade unions conduct themselves. This thesis he later published under the title of "The Government of British Trade Unions," and immediately all the hacks of Fleet Street seized the chance to prove to the world at large how apathetic are the trade unionists of this country. After six months at LSE I am convinced that Goldstein missed the boat; without leaving Houghton Street he could have written a much more illuminating thesis on the apathy of the students at LSE. Never before have I observed such a large slumbering mass of humanity so totally -disinterested in the conduct of its affairs as the School's vast student body. The institution, which boasts of the contribution which it has made to the social sciences, contains less social consciousness than a wriggling mass of bacteria on a laboratory slide ! BALLOT BOX COFFINS Observe the interest, if your powers of observation arc acute enough, displayed by the students in the election of officers fr- S^'idents' Union. Ballot box the size of "coffin s are placed so that one almost falls over them when entering or leaving the building; lurid posters scream out from every notke board in the School; a few hardy individuals parade around looking like adverts for lost property sales; and what happens? A few dozen students are press-ganged into recording a vote which decides the officers of the Union for the next twelve months. Then, to make the whole thing even more farcical, some over-enthusiastic supporter of a defeated candidate raises constitutional objections to the result. Constitutional objections my foot ! Eighty per cent, of the students are not even aware of the existence of the Union, let alone in a position to judge whether or not there has been a breach of the constitution. For another lesson in apathy just stroll into a meeting of the Students' Union one Thursday evening; you'll feel so lonely that even the sight of your worst enemy will be welcomed. The few hardy annuals will be there, pushing their arms up and down like signals outside Victoria Station on a Bank Holiday, deciding the policy of the Union for the other ninety per-cent. who are at that very moment sprawled over the tables in the refectory and burbling into their coffee cups about high prices and dirty crockery ! SAME OLD FACES I know the bright one is going to object, "But membership of the Union is compulsory, we have to join but we can't be made to take an interest in something which is forced upon us." True, but what about the clubs and societies of the School? These are entirely voluntary organisations and yet they totter so much that they appear to be perpetually intoxicated! The same old faces appear everywhere, the president of X Society is the secretary" of Y club, the treasurer of Z group, and the only member of the V club ! The number of times the various organisations in the School die and are re-born is sufficient to convince me that there is some truth in the theory of perpetual motion, except that I cannot quite reconcile continual backward movement with the theory. I have said my little piece, I hope that it has got you good and mad; it's about time you displayed some sign that you are alive. Now perhaps you'll do (something which you should have done weeks ago—write a htter to "Beaver." But perhaps you can't write either? BY DEBORAH JONES Vice-President of LSE Union often those who launch an attack on the student for his apathetic attitude towards the Union are justifiably vitriolic but surprisingly unconstructive and unencouraging. The attacker could more valuably devote himself to meditating upon the reasons for apathy, and, in true LSE tradition, seek but the cause of the thing. How often do people who rebuke union members for being apathetic compare them with the members of any other similar adult community? What other adult community is expected to meet weekly to discuss, policy without at least some financial incentive? What other adult community has a continuity of only three years, and even that interrupted by harassing outside bodies like the University Examinations Board? Moreover, apathy may be more apparent than genuine. Consider the relative ease with which campaigns (whispering or otherwise) can be carried on at LSE, whereas at Oxford we are told that only after an hour of strenuous polite conversation over sherrv in rooms of a colleague can one ,..^ach any suDj(.£t''?,.At LSE great treaties can be made between lecture room and library. TRANSITIONAL FlUCTIf^...... Here at LSE we witnesf'-"^ time of transition which involves a certain intangible friction. For a dozen years the intake consisted chiefly of hardened ex-Servicemen who have shown great interest in national and international matters. Gradually, the university population is turning back to its traditional youth, with either a stereotyped pattern of work and leisure or a hilarious revelling in newly acquired freedom. The conflict arises between the now traditionally quasi-political interests of LSE Union and the often more light-hearted approach of the younger student. Many of those on both sides of their National Service deplore the ideas and practices of those on the other side ! GAY SCHOOL LEAVERS You may ask here, what about- the women? Surely they throughout have been the gay school-leavers they are now. Ah, but remember the intelligent woman's facade. She willingly adapts her wants and ways to the generation of men from whom she wants her way ! (The fact that women at LSE are in somewhat short supply and often patently otherwise engaged is one of the causes of external loyalties !). Here at LSE we have a larger proportion of overseas students than any other British college. Quite naturally, their interest is chiefly academic, and time outside studies is, for them, obviously more valuably spent getting to know England as a whole than in joining in the seemingly inane activities of the union. OUTSIDE INTERESTS Finally, we are a London college, and London is accredited with possess-'ing 75 per-cent. of the nation's cultural facilities. It is natural that students •should want to take advantage of these, and any London union must sufl'er as a result. The responsibility devolves on students to make their own decisions as to whether or not they will be one of the "apathetic," but don't forget the fullest value in University life has never been in work, women, and the National Gallery alone. CORONATION : The School buildings will be dosed for the Coronation on June 1 and 2. NEW ULU BUILDING FIRST STAGE COMPLETED A recent view of the partly-completcd new University of London Union building in Malet Street. (Picture by courtesy of "Pi"). BY ALAN A. TATE President of The University of London Union OW that the steel framework of the new University of London Union building in Malet Street is becoming encased in reinforced concrete, many students are wondering what facilities will be provided for their relaxation ana enjftiyTOr;;:^'. when the building is complete. The framework now erect.?d ^n fact, that of the first stage of the build" ing only. There arc five stages in the construction of the building all told. The first one consists of the basement, ground, and first and second floors of the Malet Street frontage. It is hoped that the second stage consisting of the completion of this frontage with the third and fourth floors, and the third, which will be the south wing, will be completed together, and that the building will then be inhabited. The swimming bath, and the north wine, which are scheduled as the fourth and fifth stages respectively, will follow later. GYMNASIUM So much for the building plans, but what of the facilities provided? The chief interest in the basement is the gymnasium. This will be very well equipped, and, for important boxing matches, etc., gallery seating will be available for spectators. Storerooms, changing, and cloakrooms will take up most of the remaining space on this floor. The ground floor will contain various offices; the general Union office, and the Lodgings Bureau. There will also be a large entrance lounge where the Union and Society notice-boards will be located. The first floor is handed over to room for rest and relaxation. The three lounges, men's women's and mixed, and the bar are found here. The Union Council room forms a prominent part of the second floor, but this may be divided by partitions for smaller committee rooms. The other rooms on this floor are the library, music, and smaller committee rooms. BADMINTON COURTS Space does not permit me to say much about the other parts of the building which form the later stages of the process of construction. However, if 1 mention just the table tennis and billiard room on the third floor, the refectory on the fourth and the Assembly Hall in the north wing with badminton courts above it, they will be sufficient to show how many and varied will be the facilities provided for the students of the University in the University Union when it is complete. I hope that this will not be in the too distant future. NATURE NOTES By "Ihyrsis" ""^|i^HEN that Aprille with her shoures soote The droghte of Merche hath perced to the roote ..." So Dan and e'en at LSE the signs of Spn%.^n be discerned by the observant naturHif^ver. Conditions are now at their mosf fa^yrablejor question-spotters of all ages. Bird life was never more abundant. The lesser-spotted Sociologist has been seen on the roof-garden, while it'is reported that the bearded Union-official has returned to his long-neglected perch in the Library. What a smart waistcoat this little fellow has! It was with sorrow that I saw a dead failure picked up in the Third Floor Commonroom the other day. Despite the quick response from nearly all our birds, insect life is still dormant, and the eager cries of the timid Saturday night-hopper are heard but rarely. But far be it from the farmers to be asleep! On all sides one can see harrowed looks and neatly furrowed brows. Ploughing will come later. At present, only the cultivated dilettantes appear to be sowing wild oats, but they are not alone in the likelihood of an early harvest. I must not conclude this month's notes without a reference to the abundant Spring foliage now in evidence. Notice particularly the cigarette-ash, which grows immensely as June approaches. NEW STUDENT DICTIONARY Extracts Irom a Dictionary newly issued for use of students of this College: Student: B;ing possessed of high ideas, little money, and a college scarf. Union: Many voices, uttering many speeches, saying nothing. Examination: Period of time when one wishes one had worked. Paper (read by studentl: "A tale told by an idiot, signifying nothing." Smoky Joe's: Place in which one spends double the time and money intended. Psychology student: One who believes he could reform the world, yet cannot stop biting his nails. Fresher: Student who arrives before the lecturer. Hall Clock: Definitions invited: T.H. 4 BEAVER ROWING : BOATS AND BEER ^FfER a very pleasant but unsuccesslftii day at Oxford, during which several members of LSE Boat Club's 1st VIII got lost in the region of Somerville College, the crews went into rigorous training in an effort to retrieve their reputation, which they did when Keble College visited Chiswick in February. A course of something over a mile was rowed. The 2nd VIII were set to row against the tide, which was unfortunate, and, despite the inspired coxing of Peter Gracie, who again and again tried to ram the enemy, they lost by several lengths. The 1st, rowing with the tide, were able, owing to a phenominally fast start, to get away first and stayed ahead by the margin of one length. In the evening, the Boat Club dance was rowed in calm beer over a four-hour course. The Reading Head of the River Race, held in March, was not a success. It was discovered afterwards that the riggers on both LSE boats were interchanged and there was thus adequate excuse for going down two places to 44th. SOCCER: LSE Lose Paris Match D URING the vacation, LSE soccer team went to Paris for the annual iixture against HEC. The match was played before a huge crowd, the stands being filled to capacity, and when the dust finally cleared the result was adjudged to be a win for HEC by two goals to one. Having spent four days— and nights—in Paris before the game, the LSE players are to be congratulated on keeping the score to such a narrow margin. LSE's goal was scored by Brooks. Team:—P. O'Gillam: W. Jasper, M. Simmons: C. Bartlett, D. Gardiner, R. Sinclair; J. Widdop, R. Baker (capt), T. Brooks, E. Wade, D. Boath. Manager, L. Arnold. YHA TOUR PENNINES |NE dark and dirty night during the Easter vacation some 14 members of LSE's Youth Hostels Association Club met at the Youth Hostel abcye Ibdmorden in Lancashire. •" Our plan (writes pristine.iildis, one of the party) Mv-cofollow as nearly as possible ^'charted Pennine Way to the boriii of the Lakes. Such u .,c" thought, would take us through some of the best of England's scenery, and we were not disappointed. After the agony of the first day's walking, we soon got into our stride and piled up the miles. Actually, if some of us had known we would walk over 120 miles, we might not have had the courage to start, but that's another story. Our greatest achievement was the day we climbed Ingleborough. Some four stalwarts went further than this, climbing two other peaks as well that day and walking over 30 miles in the process. These top brow now wish to be known as the Three Peakers (names on application). We hope to see them back at LSE again in the not too far distant future. The atmosphere of the holiday seemed to generate peculiar characteristics ill some people. One member, for example, perfected the technique of persuading respectable butchers to sell him liver, and when a sweet-shop girl told him the cupboard was bare, he struck his chest and amazed us all by saying. "Then give me your heart." As a result of the tour, all members are thoroughly genned up on the large number of pubs in the area, so if anyone wants a refresher—come along on-the next Club weekend ! (Continued from column 3) They would be probably as prominent in any field. Only if they are judced by the criterion of party and not for their own worth will deleterious results follow. We at the School have an unrivalled opportunity to fertilise Dolitical theory with actual practice. Tt would be a creat loss if wc neglected that chance. MR. L. SJMMONDS Your Local Bookseller INVITES YOU TO "COME OVER THE ROAD" AND INSPECT HIS STOCK AT 16, FLEET STREET, E.C.4. TIDEWAY HEAD The Final event of the Lent Term was the Tideway Head of the River. The conditions were fair—a strength two gale, coupled with fast tides—when the crews embarked, an hour and a half before the start. The interval was employed in excavating the river bank, and teaching such novices as happened to be in the crews to row. Of the race, little, if anything, is remembered by any members of either crew. Somehow, both VIH's appeared to reach Putney, the 1st in 21 minutes 8 seconds, and the 2nd in 22.59.—P.K. A competition under ADA rules was held during the Boat Club Dance. Our corre.spondent reports that the Boat Club beat a team composed of Rugger Club and visitors by' 14 glasses in record lime. As ADA champions, the Boat Club (Men's) must defend their title within six months, but will have the choice of ground. Challenges to be addressed through the Pigeon Holes. FOUR PINTS EAC."' Extract fron\ue minutes of the University of London Boat Club Jommittee: — "Complaints were received that no barrelled beer was provided at the Winter Eights' Dance. The Secretary explained that prior to the dance members of LSE Boat Club had consumed 36 pints and then moved on to the Bull's head." NOTICE:—LSE Rag Regatta will be held at Chiswick on Thursday, June 18th. There will be events for everyone and a dance in the evening. WOMEN'S CRICKET —"NO" SAY MEN Despite extensive opposition, a number of LSE women students under the leadership of AU Vice-president, Monica Best, are going ahead with plans to form a ladies' cricket club. Miss Best told a reporter that she and her colleagues aim to disprove assertions made by members of the men's cricket club that there is neither room nor equipment for a girls' XI. "We have every intention of carrying out this project if given sufficient support," she said. "At one time there was a women's cricket club at LSE, and when it became moribund the men appropriated the equipment. If there was room for one then there is room for one now." ADN'iiRTI.SERS ANNOUNCIiMIINT LSE KORONATION KARNIVAL A spektakular event to selekt and krown the LSE Rag Kwecn for the year 1953. Whereas it is and shall be the duty and concern of all those of purple blood (other than those tyrants of doubtful ancestry from across the Strand) to assert their ancient and most honourable right to take part in his magnificent, ekonomik-historik event, to wit, the Karnival, they shall forthwith submit (in writing) their klaim to Box 1066, c/o "Beaver" Pigeon Hole. The Karnival will take place 13 hours before the other function, which, wc understand, will be celebrated on June 2nd. LSE K.K. Rag Kommittee. (Unauthorised). CONGRATULATIONS to . . . RALPH DUNKLEY, UL Athletics Captain, on helping his team to victory in the UAU Championships, by winning the mile in 4mins. 23.2secs., and G. M. G. KNIGHT, on winning the pole vault, clearing lift. lin.—both of LSE. E. O'BRIEN, of the LSE Cricket Club, on scoring 200 runs in three matches, including a century against Alexandra Park. THE TABLE TENNIS CLUB whose four teams each finished in the first five of their respective divisions in the UL League. HAVE POLITICS GIVEN LSE A BAD NAME ? (Continued from Page 2) And the student will not be helped by a sudden realisation that the roseate theories imbibed in the detachment of university study are somewhat lacklustre in the light of post-university experience. "The universities since their inception have served the needs of the ruling class by the production of persons and ideas defending and serving the interests of that class"—and that attitude which regards "polities" as a dirty game best left to the specialist is playing right into the hands of the interests of that class. That the number of students is declining: that Government expenditure on grants has fallen by £10 million since 1949; that not more than twelve per cent, of students , receive the maximum gv:; the nuiuo-jM-., of grant-aided dents is falling—indica- ' tive of the (.nging social composition of studen'-is of grave concern to i ,sti.nt. He cannot stand detached from these problems—he must take up a political attitude. And if LSE students (through the very nature of the subjects they study) have seen fit to acquire a greater understanding of the.se things, it is not to their detriment. Their interest in politics has not got LSE a bad reputation. If it is thought in a minority of colleges that participation in politics is bad form, then it is indicative of the fact that these colleges are insufficiently appreciative both of their real purpose, and of the benefits to be derived from a militant and progressive student policy, which can emerge only from clear political understanding. MR. WILLIAMS: People from my own side of the political fence would, I think, unhesitatingly call it "bad" for the School to have the "leftish" and "reddish" connotations it undoubtedly has. And many others from the twilight fringe between Right and Left chuckle knowingly when the School is mentioned, for they credit us with the ability to prove anything, given a few statistics and one or two unlikely assumptions. Unfortunately, one or two spectacular instances and personalities are taken as typical of the things we do and the people we have at the School. It would be unwise, however, to pay excessive attention to these views. For many more, and better placed, realise the true worth of the School's work, teachers and students. More potent arc the views of those undergraduates at the School who deplore the energetic activities of the political societies and their reputed interference with the Students' Union. It would, perhaps, be harmful if the Union were made the vehicle of party politics. But I believe it impossible, and undesirable, to keep one's political views in a sealed compartment, to be exhibited only on suitable occasions. These views are based ultimately on a view of human life, which will colour all our actions, thoughts and sayings. A man who says he is objective is fooling somebody, either us or himself. Anyone working in some way for the Union is bound to express his ideas and it is no cause for alarm, but natural, that those most active in politics should be most prominent in Union affairs. (Continued in column 1). MOUNTAINEERING CLUB J^URING the Easter vac, LSE mountaineers were active on mountains at home and abroad. A dozen climbers spent an enjoyable week in North Wales, and other members visited Nevis, Gleneve, and Austria. Twenty members were present at a reunion meeting at Harrisons Rocks. An Alpine meet will take place in July and a party may visit Skye in September.—P.M'G. READERS WRITE: Sir.—Our Beaver is with us again— by kind permission of CEM! In the Union the news of his return was greeted in some quarters with manifestations of quasi-corybantic enthusiasm. It was decreed that the President and Union Council were to be congratulated on what some referred to as their "most successful enterprise," and it was urged that a committee should be appointed to undertake the task of safeguarding the security of Beaver in the future. We are glad to have Beaver back. Indeed, there can be few who do not welcome his return. There is a niche in everyone's heart for our industrious, amphibious, broad-tailed, soft-furred rodent. But to welcome the end is not always to applaud the means. What are the facts? Beaver was taken (quite legitimately) when the School premises were open, in broad daylight. He was then hidden away in an attic—not at CEM but in the timeless seclusion of some remote suburban slum. This underhand hidinr away could riot have utiir the conduct' of gentlemen. Yet, it is with such unprincipled irresponsibles as these that we have contracted. Beaver has been returned, and, returned, let it be added, on the shameful condition that LSE make every effort to secure the return of CEM's Oswald, a profligate owl, now "gracing" the halls of the Sorbonne. On LSE is laid the humiliating task of pleading for the return of a freely given gift. To comply with this condition is to forfeit our good name in France; to renounce it, our good name in England. Is this commercialism to be congratulated when so much good Union work goes unmentioned? And are we to allow such congratulation to be placed on record in a formal motion? We lie 'twixt Scylla and Charybdis—a position even more humiliating in that it was avoidable. We should have brought every possible pressure to bear on the pilferers to observe the terms of the ULU Rag Agreement, and place Beaver in a prominent position inside CEM itself. In due time, by force or guile, it could thence have been recovered without concomitant concessions. Our hands would hav'^ iean and the acquisition -'i ancestors un- mortgagec. An honourable solution of our dilemma will be no easy task. To treat half-heartedly with the Sorbonne will smack of delicate chicanery. There seems to be only one answer; to exchange Oswald for some other suitable symbol of Anglo-French amity (If necessary. Beaver himself must be sent to France) and then return Oswald to CEM. At a suitable time, Oswald must be captured again—under the Queens-bULUry rules—sent to France and the temporary hostage recovered. CEM and the Sorbonne can then negotiate 1 between themselves if they wish. LSE ' will have lost neither reputation nor mascot.—"CICERO." FILM NOTES: Labelled "made in Japan," "The Imposter," at the Academy Cinema, is, in essence, an historical romance. Had it been made in England or America it would have pro-.oked !:;tle comment, but it couldn't possibly have been a product of . cither country because, incredibly, it is without a happy ending. In spite of the complicate plot and | almost completely disregard of continuity, "The Imposter" is an extremely interesting and entertaining film. Interesting becausc of its depiction of 17th Century Japan, and ; entertaining because of its quick "cloak and ¦ dagger" action and the exceptional playing J of its entire cast.—"Stargazer." ' Published by the Students Union of the London School of Economics, and printed by W. H. Root, Caxton Works, Halstead